Centre for Integrative Health and The Hunger Project partnership
In raising awareness for Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week this year, Centre for Integrative Health has partnered with charity organisation, The Hunger Project.
"The Hunger Project? At an eating disorder awareness event?" I hear you (quite rightfully) ask.
You are forgiven if this association has struck you as unusual in anyway as I admit to many of my own initial reservations before arriving at the decision of this partnership. So, along with providing a rationale for it, I will attempt to pre-empt and address other concerns you might have in the lead up to the event.
Despite the ironic, and (for some) confronting link, affiliation with The Hunger Project (at least initially and consciously) had very little to do with ‘hunger’ at all.
When looking for a charity to support, I stumbled across the charity by chance and fell in love with its vision and values. I resonated strongly with The Hunger Project’s focus on dignity, respect, and empowerment rather than desperation, pity, and misery.
The core of The Hunger Project's philosophy is the profound belief that people are extraordinary and have enormous capacity for profound transformation: that every life has heroic potential. The Hunger Project doesn’t see people as victims but rather as the solutions to their problems. It acknowledges the limited effectiveness of saving- or rescuing-type interventions and recognises that long-term, sustainable change occurs though individuals owning their story and their capacity for growth.
Simultaneously, The Hunger Project recognises the barriers imposed by social injustices and inequalities as well as those of entrenched beliefs, myths and sociocultural norms. With this in mind, The Hunger Project recognises the need to empower individuals to own their story with a sense of responsibility rather than blame; envisage a better life for themselves; overcome their self-limiting beliefs; find a voice to challenge the status quo; and become their own agents of change.
As a psychologist devoted to treating concerns about food and appearance, 99% of my clients are women. While we must not forget that men too experience eating disorders and body-image concerns (and at escalating rates), the fact that it remains predominately a concern experienced by women suggests a sociocultural issue that cannot be ignored.
At the same time and just as The Hunger Project acknowledges that the issue of hunger is not simply about food, recognising that the issue at hand is far more complex than appearance alone is a vital step in recovery from an eating disorder. The Hunger Project’s belief in people mirrors the courage, strength and tenacity that I have come to learn is inherit to those struggling with an eating disorder. With support, encouragement, nutrition, and a voice that is heard, these individuals too are capable of far more that they (and perhaps, at times, we) have come to believe.
The more I have learned about The Hunger Project through my involvement, the more I have come to appreciate the overlaps between and synergies in the issues they and the eating disorder field are committed to addressing. Whilst the organisation might be unfortunately named, the titles of its programs and initiatives (i.e., ‘2030 Leaders’ and ‘Unleashed Women’) more aptly capture the essence of the organisation.
In saying this, and whilst upholding great sensitivity and compassion for those experiencing this issue in its greatest degree, I also invite you to reflect on the fact that we are all hungry for something; when we are satiated, we have more to share; and yet sometimes, we find ourselves unexpectedly nourished through supporting the feeding of others.
In the lead up to the event, we will continue exploring this topic and others, that have arisen in response to the event. If you have other questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact myself directly. Thank you for your interest and participation in this conversation.
Until then, I leave you with this departing quote from Audre Lorde, "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own."
Love & Compassion,
Kiera
No money to spare! Here's 3 ways to contribute that won't cost you a cent!

If you're unable to attend my gala event or to donate financially to this important cause, here are 3 other ways you can contribute to making a difference:
1) 'Share' my fundraising page and get others to donate instead!
2) 'Share' and/or 'Invite friends' to the gala event and help increase ticket sales to the event. https://www.facebook.com/events/231820734204433/
3) Connect me with other local businesses who are willing to donate their products or services to the fundraising gala.
Every bit helps. Thanks in advance incredible humans!
Fundraiser event as part of Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Ending World Hunger Starts with Empowering People.

The Hunger Project’s goal is to end world hunger by 2030. Their approach is different – they see people living in hunger as the solution, not the problem. They shift the mindsets of women and men so they transform into leaders for more sustainable futures. Through programs such as education, microfinance, agriculture and health, they empower people with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to break the poverty cycle themselves.
How you get involved?
1) You make a donation towards my target of $10,000.
*$50 could fund functional adult literacy training for two women so that they can learn to read and write.
*$60 could provide one woman with a microfinance loan and financial literacy training so she can start a small business, earn an income and support her family.
2) You can devote your time, energy, and talents to assisting with the set up of events aimed at raising the funds required.
3) You can like, comment on, or share this post as a means of reaching others who might have the resources to assist.
Every contribution (financial or otherwise) counts) towards making the world a better place for everyone to inhabit. Thank you!
Thank you to my Sponsors

$2.51k
Centre For Integrative Health

$400
Lauren Keogh
I’m so inspired by this cause I pledge all coaching money until the end date (I’m actually away 1 month of it)

$300
Space Digital

$250
Dux
Don’t change!

$208
Lana Hill

$180
Tabitha Rooke

$150
Danica Adolfsson

$145.60
Ben Johnston
Congrats on organising a great event, you're well on your way to reaching the funding goal!

$104
Janet Lowndes, Mind Body Well
Imagine a world where food is easy and available for all, to enjoy with peace and freedom. Thank you for all you do toward this goal Kiera.

$104
Insight Psychology Clinic
Good work Kiera!

$104
Elysa Roberts
Your generous soul is beautiful

$104
Pandanus Medical Practice
Great work Kiera. All the best with this worthy cause

$104
Naomi Cochrane

$104
Stan Steindl

$104
Dwanga
Good luck on your adventures

$104
Jade Vanderjagt
Since I can’t make it to Fiji I thought I’d help send you to Africa instead. Love your work and you xo.

$104
Hayley Quinn
You are an inspiration! Happy to contribute to such a great cause and would love to chat more about fundraising ideas. You rock Sister :-)

$104
Reynard Ng

$104
Alison Lee
Congratulations on a great evening! Here is my donation of $100 from paintings sold on the night.Thanks again for inviting me!

$104
Michelle Brown
Such a great cause Kiera.

$104
Chrystal Gray
What a project!!! Love your work Kiera.

$100
Ash O
🙌🙌 Thank you and good on you for your commitment to such an important cause.

$100
Anthea Fursland
I am so full of admiration for you. Enjoy your adventure!

$100
Melanie Mcphillips
All the best Kiera ❤

$62.40
Sarah Marris
So inspired by the work you are doing! X

$52
Linsey Atkins
Dear Kiera, have a safe journey amd thanks for your efforts! Warm wishes, Linsey

$52
Kim Hurst
You're an inspiration x

$52
King
Well done girl! Can't wait to see how you go over there xx

$52
Kym Geier

$52
Shan
Go you good thang! xx

$52
Kate Pollard Gough
This is just the beginning of CFIH’s mission to help with inspiring global change. Thank you 💛

$52
Jasmin George
Good work xx

$52
Carly Reid
An amazing project, good luck x

$52
Hollie Shannon
Thank you Kiera for inspiring the rest of us to step up! We all have a part to play #endhunger

$52
Beth Shelton
All the best with your w

$52
Leah Buchanan

$52
Marco Tarumingi

$52
Trina Williams
You are an inspiration Kiera ❤️ Keep following your passion.

$52
Deb Newburn
You’re an inspiration Kiera. I barely know you, but you already inspire me towards greater things.

$52
Shannon Calvert
You resonate the meaning of wholehearted Kiera. Proud to know you. Wishing you love, light and a safe adventure.

$52
Amy Kwan

$50
Danielle Mccarthy

$31.20
Lynda Bayada
Supporting you fully woman!

$31.20
Tanya Kretschmann
Thank you for being your remarkable, inspiring and courageous self, and sharing yourself and your passion with others.

$31.20
Lee Holleran

$31.20
Liam Janse Van Rensburg

$30
Stephanie White
Kiera we need more people like you in this world 🌍

$20
Kate Lane
Merry Christmas Kiera. On a day when I am surrounded by an abundance of food, material goods that exceed my needs and safe loved ones, I am glad to work for such a passionate and thoughtful woman seeking to empower, up-skill and finance those in our global community who do not enjoy the same privilege.