A GROUP of youngsters are to spend 48 hours in a makeshift slum to experience at first hand poor living conditions. The 40 young people will spend the time under tarpaulin roofs in the grounds of Hitchin Boys School with only rice and lentils to eat and

A GROUP of youngsters are to spend 48 hours in a makeshift slum to experience at first hand poor living conditions.

The 40 young people will spend the time under tarpaulin roofs in the grounds of Hitchin Boys' School with only rice and lentils to eat and cold water to drink as they take part in Slum Survivor.

The event is a national challenge created by Soul Action, a group set up to bring about positive change in poor communities around the world.

The Hitchin-based section of this nationwide event has been organised by The Forum, which is a network of Hitchin's children and youth workers, and PHASE, which works within secondary schools, and takes place between tomorrow (Friday) and Sunday.

And during the two days the youngsters will not be able to have mobile phones, iPods or a change of clothes, or be allowed make-up or hair gel.

"Over the weekend the young people will have time to think about how they can help change the world and be part of releasing people from poverty," Kieran Murphy, the director of PHASE, said.