Photo by: Juan Blanko

A mock shanty town arose on campus Friday to raise awareness of child poverty.

Fraternities and sororities teamed up with the Global Volunteer Network in support of their “Stop Child Poverty Campaign.”

The goal of this campaign was to raise awareness on campus and show Congress that people in our country are dissatisfied with the lack of attention our government is currently giving to the issue of child poverty.

Inter-Fraternal Council Vice President of Philanthropy John Gushman worked with the Global Volunteer Network to organize the efforts on campus. Prior to the event on Friday afternoon, the Greek community handed out informational brochures and started a petition to end child poverty.

Their goal of 400 signatures was greatly surpassed. 889 students signed in support of the effort. This and other petitions from around the country will be sent to Congress.

In order to demonstrate first-hand what it is like to live in abject poverty, Greek Life constructed a replica of an impoverished community where children live. Sororities and fraternities teamed up to build model shanty houses out of cardboard and duct tape as a representation of how these destitute children are living every day.

Lindsay London, a DU student who attended the event, was saddened by the reality that children could actually be living in such dire conditions.

“It is hard to believe that so many children are living each day on so little. This whole event is definitely making me more aware of what is going on around us,” London said.

Along with the mock shanty houses, there were also two young women who spoke at the event. Courtney Montague spoke about the appalling conditions that children are living in around the world.

Montague explained that worldwide 30,000 children die everyday, 1,200 die every hour and 2,400 die in the time it took for Greek Life to construct their houses. She also indicated that the Western world spends billions of dollars on luxuries each year; this amount of money could make a significant difference in the fight against child poverty.

A 14-year-old high school freshman named Anna spoke about the work she does in her charity, Peruvian Hearts, which helps feed and care for children living in different orphanages throughout Peru. One of Anna’s goals is to let the community know that these actions are not futile.

“Young people working together really can make a difference,” Anna said.

The ‘Stop Child Poverty Campaign’ attracted many students. Some Greek organizations have already taken steps to get more involved in the fight against child poverty, and they encourage students to do so as well.