Rotorua woman Kiri Danielle is this week taking part in the global proverty project's Live Below The Line Challenge. Those taking part have to survive on $2.25 a day, which has to go towards all their food and drinks. Kiri will be writing a daily account as she takes part in the challenge.
Day three:
Last night's food tasted so good.
It was a cup of boiled rice and a spoon of mixed vegetables _ and it was sensational.
I appreciate my food so much more now.
I've felt hunger before, but I've never tried to live hungry, and when I can have it _ food is wonderful.
If I absolutely had to _ I could live on $2.25 a day, but it would only be about survival.
My daughter asked if she could have a drink of juice this morning.
Together we reflected on the fact that for those living in poverty, juice may be some thing they never, ever taste.
As a mum, I'm deeply content to see my child has a `life with juice'.
She has that option and many others.
We are much more grateful for everything we have.
Breakfast: Banana
Lunch: Rice and garden salad
Dinner: Rice and 2 spoons of mixed vegetables
*
Day two:
Last night I went to bed hungry. I got up hungry. I'm still hungry now.
I have hardly any en ergy, I'm tired and drained _ but my brain is working overtime.
I had thought this would be a reasonably straight forward process, but I was wrong.
To my surprise I've ended up completely re-examining my entire life- and it's ridiculous abundance.
Now I compare everything in my life to the value of food.
My hand cream _ a day's food.
My face cream _ a week's worth of food.
My washing machine _ a year's worth of food.
If someone has only $2.25 to spend on food, then what have they got to spend on other important things like education, healthcare and shelter?
Poverty isn't just about food _ poverty is about everything.
Breakfast: 1 Banana
Lunch: Rice, garden greens.
Dinner: Rice, 1 egg.
**
Monday was day one of the challenge:
This challenge has become so much more than a test of willpower for our hungry tummies or a little experiment in self-deprivation.
This challenge is opening my eyes _ and my daughters.
Living on $2.25 a day has made us so conscious of what we would normally eat. A lamb kebab, a chicken salad, a hamburger and fries _ all single meals that equate to five days' worth of food for someone living in poverty.
Day One Meals
Breakfast: One banana.
Lunch: Rice and one egg.
Dinner: Rice and garden salad with lemon juice.
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