United by students across the nation, THINKfast annually offers students the opportunity to fundraise for charitable causes while taking part in fasting. The program lets students brainstorm and collaborate to create ways to raise funds and help countries in need of development, education and basic necessities.

“THINKfast is an amazing program of solidarity,” said Genevieve Gallant, the national youth programs co-ordinator for Development and Peace.

“Thousands of young people across Canada are having a huge impact, choosing… to act for a new world, a world of God’s new kingdom on Earth, where all are working together for the common good.”

 While preparing for the fast, students learn about the dynamics of famines, food shortages and how their own contributions can help through a series of fun group activities that give more purpose to their fundraising efforts and enrich their knowledge about world needs and issues.

 Participants receive a THINKfast kit, which includes resources, activities, fasting guidelines and pledge forms to collect donations.

Development and Peace started the program to support partners around the globe as they offer aid, prayers and advocate hope to a dim world.

“It truly made me think and realize that I want to help those people who don’t have a voice and use mine to make people aware that there are people in countries that need just regular people like me to speak on their behalf,” said Natisha Chambers, a student at Brampton’s St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School who took part in THINKFast this year. This was her school’s first time taking part.

Development and Peace partners, active in Africa, Asia and Latin America, are able to put the funds raised towards human rights development, educational and agrarian reform, as well as community building.

Funds are being raised through the THINKfast program on several campuses across Canada such as Ryerson University in Toronto, St. Joseph’s College in Edmonton and St. Thomas University in Fredericton.

Despite this fact, the highest fund raised during last year’s program was actually a secondary school. St. Thomas Aquinas High School in North Vancouver raised $14,350.50.

Development and Peace has also used a THINKfast online fundraising web site where both public and anonymous donations can be made to support the cause. Contributors can donate individually or as a group.

With more than 250 sponsors and counting, the initiative hopes to reach a goal of $200,000.

(Ann Chazhoor, 17, is a Grade 12 student at Turner Fenton Secondary School in Brampton.)