One of my strengths is Input, which basically means I love love love gathering all sorts of information. Plus, another one is Learner. Not to mention that I like teaching and sharing….so, I stumble upon things and like to share what I’ve found. Here’s where my wanderings started…
A challenge from “Live Below the Line” to spend only $1.50 a day on eating and drinking from May 16th to 20th. All to raise awareness about extreme poverty. The crazy thing is that this isn’t even really that extreme. Get this:
In 2005, the World Bank defined “extreme poverty” as having to survive on US$1.25 per day (adjusted to US$1.50 to account for inflation in 2011). This amount must cover all food, housing, health, education, and transportation expenses. Those living in extreme poverty are forced to do without many of the things we in the developed world consider “basics” – like clean water access. Right now, there are 1.4 billion people worldwide living in extreme poverty.
Now that makes my eyes go wide! I’m only trying to do $1.50 for food alone. Doesn’t count in housing, gas, car payments, insurance, health care, etc. Here’s a picture of what I’ll be eating…and no I don’t get to eat it all. Check out my facebook or twitter for updates on what I’ll be eating each day and come back to check out the blog as I continue writing out my thoughts! Oh and you can totally join in for a day or two or all 5! I’d love if you jumped on board too 🙂
So, tomorrow, I start to get a small glimpse into 1.4 billion people’s daily life.
While I was looking up information about this, I started thinking about how far women have to walk to get water. During my time in South Africa, I saw a little bit of this and will share some stories throughout the week. In the meantime, here are a few resources and stats to get you thinking about clean water that I have found so far…
Every 20 seconds a child dies from a water related disease.
Nearly 1 billion people don’t have safe water to drink.
Many women and children walk up to 3 hours a day to get water.
–The Water Project and Water.org and Charity Water
b'ahava 
Wow. This is incredible. I totally commend you for embarking on this journey to bring more attention and awareness to a problem in society that is so prominent, but so little people know how to deal with it.
yeah! I was excited to find people raising awareness and it is such an overwhelming problem that it’s easy to let it slip by because it’s hard to know where to even start.
That’s awesome, Katy! I think I might join in for one of the days this week and will probably do it again right before the Proceeds for Poverty event at my church (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dfZ_cqMahs). 🙂
awesome!! glad you’re probably going to be joining in too! and so cool that your church is doing an event =)
What a cool thing to do – can’t wait to hear how it goes!
so far…so good! i made all the pasta tonight so that will be nice to have ready made lunches and dinners. i so realize how i often just am the type to eat healthy but with less intention and planning.
Wow! Love that you are doing this…AMAZING! Will definitely be following you throughout the days! Love your heart Katy! =)
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