Last week, six of our Interact Council executives went to the 2025 World Vision Youth Conference. We learnt about the 40-Hour Challenge and all the reasons why participating was so important. The 40-Hour Challenge is an event run by World Vision to raise funds for different humanitarian issues each year. To raise money, participants choose something to deprive themselves of for 40 hours (e.g. food or technology) and raise money through sponsors.
At the conference, we learnt about where all the funds this year will be going, which is to the Solomon Islands! From rising sea levels, struggles with food, and other general life issues, we came to realise that our participation in this challenge is more than just a fun event. We even had the amazing opportunity to hear from a citizen from the Solomon Islands, Roy Wasi. He has spoken at the United Nations and shared his unique experience of life in the Solomon Islands and how truly important our contribution is. We got to see firsthand through his experiences and stories what life is like on the islands and how privileged we are to live in New Zealand.
We also got to hear from special guest speaker, Brad Smeele, a former top Kiwi wakeboarder who was paralysed from the neck down in a water accident. Brad was able to smile and teach us the important lesson that it doesn’t matter what happens to you, what matters is how you react to it.
Overall, the conference was enlightening and eye-opening for those of us who attended. We learnt that if we want to go fast, to go alone, but if we want to go far, to go together – and to make positive long-lasting changes for the Solomon Islands, we must act together. This conference was more than just an event to attend, it opened our minds to the strength we have if we act together and the positive changes that can be made if we try.
Amy Grinsted, Interact Council Executive
