Chesterfield Inlet/Rankin Inlet (Jun 07/06) - Students at two Kivalliq schools did their part in the fight against world hunger this past month.

Victor Sammurtok school in Chesterfield Inlet and Maani Ulujuk high in Rankin Inlet each sponsored a 30-hour famine in support of World Vision.

Teacher Ana Leishman said the Sammurtok student council matched the $300 raised during the famine.

She said more than 20 students in Grades 7 through 12 supported the event.

"The students stayed overnight at the school, so there were a lot of video games played," Leishman said.

"A number of kids chatted online for about eight hours before we sent them to bed. They weren't too happy going to bed while a group of girls watched movies until 2 a.m.

"We also held a rocket launch the next day, which everyone enjoyed."

Teacher Donald Clark said his 35 Grade 11 students in Rankin raised $800 for the 30-hour famine, including three donations from the community.

"We used the famine as a class project and it went well for us," Clark said.

"We did things a little differently this year, with the students paying a small fee to register instead of seeking pledges in the community."

Leishman said World Vision sends out a DVD for students to watch before the famine begins.

She said the video gives students an idea of what some people have to resort to for something in their stomachs.

"The students see people actually eating sand to try and stop their hunger pains," Leishman said.

"That kind of stuff really hit home with the kids.

"World Vision is very good at providing videos that really make an impact.

"You can't help but be affected by what you see."

The Chester kids also spent time learning about the different ways the money they raised will be spent.

In addition to food, proceeds go towards water, education, medicine and research.

"It was a bit difficult raising pledges in Chester this year, so a lot of the students donated $5 or $10 out of their own pockets.

"We had a lot of kids participating for the first time and the program really seemed to make an impact on them."