40 Days of Zams

It’s trending on twitter and people all around the county are talking about it. She’s called it “40 Days of Zarmies” and it’s changing the way South Africans view Lent...

Something different

Last year Roxy Burger wanted to do something a little different for Lent. And so, instead of giving up chocolate or alcohol like most do, she made an extra sandwich each day and passed it on to someone who needed it.

“It was just me, and very low key. I joked with my mom that I was going to call it 40 Days of Zams,” she said to Fairlady.

She thought nothing of it until a few days ago when she was out with her girlfriends.

“We were talking about what we were giving up for Lent, and I told them what I’d done last year. They all loved it, and all of a sudden they were tweeting it and spreading the message,” Roxy said.

Within 24 hours the topic began trending on twitter with the hashtag #40daysofzams.

Complete surprise

The sudden attention to her cause took Roxy by complete surprise.

“I never dreamed this would happen, but I’m so glad it has!”

Companies and individuals have committed to sharing sandwiches for the next forty days.

“Day 2 of #40daysofzams and there are 45 sandwiches going to needy people courtesy of the staff at Commrisk Insurance brokers woo hoo!!” tweeted Cath Albertyn.

Small acts of kindness

"You don't have to give your sandwiches to a homeless person - although that would be great," she said. "Perhaps you have a colleague who needs a little love. You can show them you care by making them lunch.”

"It's a simple way to show people love," she said.

Get involved

It's easy to get involved. 

All you do is make an extra sandwich every day for the Lent period and give it to someone who needs it.

You can follow Roxy on twitter.