The Committee of 19 has done it again- raising awareness to those in poverty stricken countries who are still living "joyfully."
The committee partnered with Servants in Faith and Technology, on their big spring project "Slum City."
Members of the organization, leading Auburn's fight against hunger, constructed life-sized replicas of slums, representing five different countries: India, Cambodia, Pakistan, Kenya and Bolivia.
"We wanted to just bring awareness that more than one billion of our brothers and sisters around the world live like this," said Cary Bayless, committee advocacy and awareness facilitator. "Through organizations like Committee of 19 and SIFAT we are trying to educate the Auburn family on ways that they can help."
The city was opened on the Haley Center concourse from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 26 through Thursday, March 28 for people to look through and ask representatives any questions they had.
According to Bayless, the point of this event was not for people to walk by and feel saddened for those experiencing this life, but to realize that because of their extreme poverty there are many health issues and civil issues that arise with this lifestyle.
"At first when I walked by I did feel really sad, but after I talked to someone about it I learned that they were doing this for a reason and to get students involved," said Nicole Fulkerson, freshman in communication.
SIFAT is a worldwide spiritual service organization that serves and educates others in order to improve third world countries. The committee attends SIFAT meetings to gain knowledge about some of their programs and technologies that can be used to help alleviate hunger.
Hamp Price, a learn and service intern with SIFAT, said the committee asked them to partner and to bring examples of technologies being used in these communities to help mitigate ways of life.
"After doing research on these urban slums we realized that we are not going to get rid of these whole cities of slums, but instead by asking them what things are inhibiting you from living a fulfilled life and going about it that way," Price said.
According to the research done by SIFAT these countries are suffering from several problems because of inadequate nutrition, limited access to clean drinking water and breathing problems from smoke inhalation.
Both organizations believe the first step in aid for these countries is to become aware of the situation at hand.
Price said until students understand where they fit in with the problem they cannot be a part of the solution.
"There is enough food to feed everybody in the world," Price said. "So why do we have problems like obesity, yet other people around the world are starving to death?"
According to Price, students have thanked them for being a voice for their people and sharing a story that is not very well portrayed.
The Committee of 19 as well as SIFAT encourages students to get involved whether it is by donating funds or donating their time.
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