Third Annual Fast To Benefit The Republic of Cape Verde

The Harvard Hunger Action Project will sponsor a fast March 8 to raise money for agricultural equipment, medicine, and health supplies for the Cape Verde Islands, an archipelago 300 miles off West Africa.

The money will be sent to The Republic of Cape Verde, formerly a Portuguese colony, by The American Committee for Cape Verde, Elario Monteiro '79, a fast sponsor, said yesterday.

Harvard will donate 95 cents for each student who fasts, Benjamin H. Walcott, assistant director of Food Services, said yesterday.

The Committee on Houses and Undergraduate Life approved the fast Monday "with absolutely no objections raised," Barbara Mullin '79, a former CHUL member said yesterday.

Roots

Monteiro said he began the fast program three years ago because he is from a Cape Verdian family.

"It's like getting back to my roots," he said.

In the past the fast organizers stressed rural development but they broadened the program this year to include health needs.

About one-third of Harvard's undergraduates participated in previous fasts Monteiro said.

Where?

Several students interviewed yesterday responded favorably to the fast.

Mark A. Edwards '82 said yesterday he would fast, adding "but only under the condition that I know the fasting would do some good."

"I'll fast although I've never heard of Cape Verde," Jason H. Brown '81, said yesterday, "but I'll stop by Elsie's a few times during the day."