How do the new home activities simulate life in rural Mongolia?

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The 30-Hour Famine: Home Edition Replicates Rural Mongolian Lifestyles Through Resource Management Challenges

The 2020 edition of the 30-Hour Famine, presented as a Home Edition due to the Covid-19 pandemic, simulates the resource scarcity experienced in rural Mongolian communities through a series of practical, daily-life challenges. Participants are tasked with adhering to a strict food budget of RM20 for their meals, limiting their water usage to 20 litres, constructing a basic sleeping area on the floor, and foregoing air-conditioning. These activities are specifically designed to provide a tangible understanding of the daily hardships faced by families with limited access to essential resources.
Simulating Resource Scarcity

The core of the Home Edition's simulation lies in its focus on strict resource management. By requiring participants to operate within a tight RM20 budget for food over the event's duration, the activity mirrors the economic constraints faced by many families in developing regions, including rural Mongolia. Similarly, the limitation of water to just 20 litres for all needs highlights the challenges of accessing and conserving this vital resource, a common reality for communities lacking consistent clean water supply.
Experiencing Basic Living Conditions

Beyond food and water, the simulation extends to living conditions. Participants are instructed to build a simple resting space on the floor, eliminating the use of conventional beds. This, coupled with the directive to sleep without air-conditioning, aims to replicate the basic shelter and environmental conditions that many in resource-limited areas endure. These elements collectively offer a visceral experience of the day-to-day realities of poverty.
Highlighting Vulnerability and Health Concerns

These simulated conditions are particularly relevant in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. The activities are intended to draw attention to the critical issue of limited access to clean water in rural Mongolian communities. This lack of clean water directly impacts hygiene practices, such as handwashing, which are paramount in preventing the spread of diseases like Covid-19. By experiencing water scarcity firsthand, participants can better comprehend the heightened vulnerability of these communities to health crises.
Engaging Younger Participants

Recognising the importance of early education in empathy and global awareness, the event also features an 8-Hour Kidz Famine. This adapted program is designed for children aged 12 and below, allowing them to engage in similar, age-appropriate simulations. The goal is to foster an understanding and empathy for less fortunate children from a young age, instilling values that can encourage future humanitarian engagement.

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How do the new home activities simulate life in rural Mongolia?

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