Pumpkin drop raises awareness of poverty
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Squashed: A 135-kilogram pumpkin blows up as it is dropped on a van Friday at the University of Alberta. Symbolizing the goal of crushing world hunger, the event was part of Stand Up, Take Action, a three-day global initiative raising awareness about poverty locally and internationally. Photo credit: The Edmonton Journal |
The U of A chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) took a step towards eliminating poverty last week by dropping a 500-lb pumpkin representing thought and action on a van representing poverty and inequality from 100 feet in the air.
The second annual pumpkin drop was part of the Stand up and Take Action event, organized to create awareness about global and local poverty.
"The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about issues of poverty, and encourage students to play their part by taking conscious actions, such as making informed consumer choices like buying Fair Trade products and making ethical investments, contacting their MP about a global issue that matters to them, joining an organization that works on poverty issues, and donating even just $5 per month to a charity they feel passionate about," said Anna Hopkins, president of the U of A EWB chapter.
And the visual of a humongous pumpkin plunging from a crane and landing on a van, destroying both in the process, certainly helps get those ideas across to the U of A population.
"Since a pumpkin drop is a fairly unique event, we are reaching a demographic that might not necessarily come out to one of our other events, approach us at a booth, or even consider attending a meeting—so it's a great opportunity to spread awareness," said Hopkins. "If dropping a pumpkin onto a van is what it takes to spread our message, we'll do it!"
Stand up and Take Action was organized by the Student Umbrella for Social Justice, a body made up of various groups on campus with social justice-related objectives.
EWB was responsible for the pumpkin drop.
"Our team arranged for Mammoet to donate the crane services, and contacted the Kidney Foundation to donate the beat-up van. We located and picked up the pumpkin, donated by a farmer near Fort Saskatchewan. The pumpkin itself was inedible due to the amount of chemicals and hormones used," Hopkins explained.
Hopkins and the rest of EWB want those who witnessed the pumpkin drop to take away the message that "they have the power to demand something different and to question what may not be right. They have the power to change their consumption patterns to benefit those working in exploitative or restrictive conditions."
It's a message they delivered with a bang.
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a young, student-driven organization working towards a positive, more equitable world where those afflicted by poverty can live a life of dignity.
www.ualberta.ewb.ca
