This year’s 40 Hour Famine was led by the fabulous team of Isabella Ballard, Masyn Harrex, Jessica Solomon and Sonya Taylor, from Year 12. They attended the World Vision Youth Leadership Conference on May 6, where they were inspired by a range of amazing speakers and thought-provoking activities.

Lia Fisher, Jemima Hortop-Blair and Hebe Song, from Year 8, were Columba's three representatives at the inaugural Junior Youth Conference, also in May.

All seven led and inspired Columba College students to participate in a range of fundraising activities. Initiatives included a barbeque, a collection outside supermarkets and a plant sale. The 40 Hour Famine options ranged from the traditional no-food famine through to the no-technology, no-furniture or no-talking alternatives. Columba raised a remarkable $4484.10 which will provide food security for children in sub-Saharan Africa. That is enough to provide life-saving food for 109 children for a month!

These efforts earned Jessica Solomon a place in the World Vision Senior Scholarship Summit. This annual event is attended by only 30 young people from across Aotearoa and involves further training in social awareness and leadership.