This year - Oaklands School will be a part of this effort - to raise money to support those children who have been forced to leave Syria and are now refugees in other countries.

That’s why, this year, the children of New Zealand will dedicate 40 hours to help kids like them on the other side of the globe by raising crucial funds to help restore the things they’ve lost; education, a sense of security and safety, and the chance to be kids again in child-friendly spaces.

What are child-friendly spaces?

This year, funds raised in the 40 Hour Famine will provide safe places for children who have fled conflict in Syria. In these child-friendly spaces they can start to heal from the trauma of war through arts, music, sports and play, and continue their education.

Out of the 220,000 school-aged Syrian refugees in Jordan, only 130,000 are enrolled in school. Funds raised in 2016 will help ensure over 80,000 children can experience a sense of normality again whilst they gain the literacy, numeracy and life skills required to develop their full potential.

We have just over 150 students who have signed up to be a part of the 40 hour famine this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the community value as part of the school's CARE values. There are still booklets available for those students who wish to sign up and be a part of providing child friendly spaces to these Syrian refugee children. They just need to come and see Mr McCallum in the music room.

If you are interested in finding out more - the best place to find out - is on the website: famine.org.nz