They will highlight this fact as part of the World Vision 40-Hour Famine this weekend when they forsake the creature comforts Australians take for granted.

“It’s tough but you get over it when you think about the big picture,” five-year veteran of the event and Year 12 student Jessica Connolly said.

“I’ve always wanted to bring it to the school.”

Another Year 12 student Lauren Higgins will tackle the challenge too when they go ­without food, electronic devices and furniture. 

The younger students will continue to eat for health reasons but will do without entertainment.

“It’s my first year and it’s going to be a team effort,” Lauren said.

The pair visited a World Vision convention at Newcastle in May.

“It made me more aware of what’s happening,” Lauren said.

In particular it highlighted the trauma of the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Money raised from the 40-Hour-Famine, including the school’s $2500, will help build a well.

“The money will help build a healthy, safe community,” Jessica said. 

The school pitched in recently with an out of uniform day which raised $800 while a further $400 in online donations has taken the girls close to reaching their goal.

Lauren said she was feeling fine about the challenge.

“Jess has survived so far,” she said.

Most Rwandan people work in agriculture but ironically don’t have enough food to eat.

The country’s dense population and hilly terrain mean good farmland is hard to come by. 

Outdated farming techniques, and poor infrastructure as a result of the 1994 genocide, also contribute to insufficient harvests.