Poverty Challenge is Over...So What NEXT?

Ok, so I need some help with my next idea!  I want to create a video (or series of videos) about what people would like our world to be like in 2025 and 2050.  So...here's what I need.  People willing to do a short 10-30 second video either with me or on your own and submitted to me electronically about what you'd like the world to look like in 2025 or 2050 as it relates to social justice.  We're not talking flying cars, though if flying cars will fix a world problem...GO FOR IT!  Anyone interested??

Poverty Challenge - Thank You!

Thank you so much everyone!  Our small blog has hit an important mile marker!  We have had over 1,000 page views from as many as 15 countries around the world!  Let's keep this momentum going so that we can continue to raise awareness about issues impacting our global community, including poverty!  We're well on our way to 2,000 page views and this is cause for celebration!

Poverty Challenge - What's next

After about 2 weeks on the poverty challenge...we've finally given in.  We've had some of our first real meals in what seems like a long time.  We made it more than twice as long as the average person does on the challenge, and it felt great to know we'd raised awareness about poverty in our global community. 

The real question is...what's next?  What can we do to keep this momentum going?  What can we do to keep extreme poverty at the forefront of conversations.  We're taking suggestions!  Challenge us... to challenge others, to keep talking about poverty!  Suggest some ideas of new challenges!

Poverty Challenge

Will you dare to live below the line?  You might be surprised what you learn about yourself, those around you, and our global neighbors.  Dare to live...Dare to live below the line!

Day 11 and life is good!  I will be strong, I will be brave, I have crossed the line-need a hand?  Mine is here for you to grab...Cross the line with me!

Please consider a donating to Community in Action for Self Help Projects!
http://casp.bellstrike.com/members/theresa-taylor/hope-for-hohoe-community-in-action-for-self-help-projects

Poverty Challenge - Day 9 Check In

Today is officially day 9!  Tomorrow we will have lasted twice as long as the average person who takes the live below the line poverty challenge.  It feels great honestly!  Here are the rough updates:

• Lost 8.5 pounds in 9 days
• Did the math today and have actually spent an average of $.082 per day so far - WooHoo!
• Already have accrued a $4.58 credit from past day's savings
• Have cried no less than 7 times from sheer frustration of life in general and the impact that hunger has on everyday challenges
• Have engaged 10 of my dearest friends as donors to a great organization Community in Action for Self Help Projects
• Have found myself in the middle of countless discussions with people about poverty...conversations that otherwise may never have happened.

Honestly though, I wouldn't be so inspired to keep going if it weren't for the hope that I was able to get from seeing so many people I love supporting a great organization Community in Action for Self Help Projects (see programs here http://casp.bellstrike.com/programs ).  Please consider a personally significant contribution to this great organization.  You can donate here http://casp.bellstrike.com/members/theresa-taylor/hope-for-hohoe-community-in-action-for-self-help-projects.

Whenever I get discouraged I think about my time in Hohoe.  Hohoe was a place I felt safe exploring, a place where I made friends into family, a place where hugs were the most comforting embraces I have ever experienced.  There is no place in the world like Ghana.  It's a complex, challenging, loving, confusing, harsh, beautiful, welcoming place and despite all its dichotomies, it always felt like home.  Give Hohoe a hug back by donating today!  Peace and Love!

Poverty Challenge - Whole Milk

I traded Michael some Jello for 1/2 a cup of whole milk yesterday. I decided to wait to have the milk for breakfast this morning. I had forgotten how rich and creamy whole milk is. It almost tastes like some kind of decadent candy in my mouth. Day 7 is starting off with a real treat!

Poverty Challenge - Me vs. Reality

Today was a day of great reflection.  I decided to buy some Jello today.  I hate Jello, but the idea of eating something sweet and cherry flavored suddenly made my mouth water.  I realized today, that my experience with the poverty challenge isn't a true simulation on many levels.  The most important being, that I know that my experience with extreme poverty can and will end when I choose.  This means that, while I've been craving things I can't afford, I'm able to convince myself that sometime soon in the future I could buy that again.  This means I've stayed away from a lot of things I would like to have, that are a bit out of my $1.50 a day budget.  I realize however, that someone living in extreme poverty does not have this luxury.  They may never see an end to their poverty, and even worse, may never realize the experience of being out of extreme poverty.  I suppose if that were the case for me, I might be inclined to buy the things I could afford for just a day of enjoyment.  Even if there were unpleasant consequences I would still probably go to some pretty big extremes to have just one day where I could treat myself...an important reflection I think.

Poverty Challenge - Coping Through Food

Are you one of those people, like me, who uses food to soothe?  So I've realized before that I use food to cope with life's challenges, and today it's put to the test!  My car has been into the dealer for repair 4 times now for the same problem.  Each time they charge me a fairly significant amount, and each time I come away with a car that no longer run after less than a week.  Essentially, I have a $20,000 paperweight with only 60,000 miles on it and not even GM is able to help.  Today...it broke down again.  More than anything, I want a cupcake and a soda to make me feel better!  I decided to stick this through though, and what sense would it make to give up on the Poverty Challenge just because I am upset about something else.  Tonight...I learn to cope and soothe myself with something other than food...not sure what yet...suggestions????

Poverty Challenge - A Woman Thing?

So... When we first started the challenge it seemed like Michael's first thought was how much food can I buy for $1.50? Mine on the other hand was... Do you think I'll gain weight from eating a lot of starches or lose weight from eating less? I realize that my figure and looks are almost always on my mind. This challenge has been a good time for me to reflect on not just poverty but also what it means to be a woman. It's a chance for me to question the pressures that i put on myself. In any case if anyone is wondering... It's day 5 and I've lost 6 pounds so far.

This is a magical grapefruit! It lifted my spirits yesterday on Day 3 when I had enough money to buy it, and today, half of it made for a great breakfast!!  Great deal for only $1.25.  This is why I have been eating the same rice and split peas all week!

Poverty Challenge - Day 3

It's day 3 of the poverty challenge.  I will have a balance of $1.60 at the end of today to go foraging at the grocery store for some additions to the pantry.  I still have a lot of rice left and a good amount of split peas (had a near miss when I burned the pot of split peas last night, but scraped off the parts that were still good).  I think they'll last me the rest of the week, so I am hoping to buy a piece of fruit tonight.  To think of a grapefruit as an investment is a new experience for me, but I'm really looking forward to it.  I could cut it in half and have it for two whole days! - My mouth is already watering!

So far I've already been craving: Donuts, Chips, Blue Cheese, Olives, and...Pickles.  Weird, I know!  Still going strong!  Most people only make it about 1 week on the Poverty Challenge otherwise known as the Live Below the Line Challenge. So far I'm more than halfway to their goal, but I want to make it longer.  Please help keep my spirits up by donating to my chosen charity!  Link below...

http://casp.bellstrike.com/members/theresa-taylor/hope-for-hohoe-community-in-action-for-self-help-projects


Check out their programs!  Community in Action for Self Help Projects

http://casp.bellstrike.com/programs

The Poverty Challenge

Michael and I are taking the Poverty Challenge.  $1.50 USD a day is the generally agreed worldwide limit for EXTREME POVERTY.  This means that a person is trying to cover all life's expenses on only $1.50 USD a day or its equivalent.  While Michael and I wouldn't be able to do that and still have shelter, a car, or continue working our jobs, we'd like to try to gain some perspective on what that might be like.  So...we've decided to limit our food and drink intake to whatever we can purchase with $1.50 a day.  We've created some rules that you'll see below to guide us.  Most people taking the challenge last 1 week.  We want to last soooo much longer!  Sponsor us by donating to our favorite charity to keep our spirits high!

This challenge won't be easy, but as I go through each day I am reminded of the challenges that the people that I have grown to consider my family in Hohoe, Ghana, West Africa experience day to day.  Please keep our spirits up and donate to Community in Action for Self help Projects on our behalf.  Sponsor us today and become 1 of my top 101!

My fundraising goal is $1000 by January 2013!  This means if 101 people donate $10 or more I'll exceed my goal.  Please become one of my top 101!  Please help the children and families of Hohoe, Ghana today!

Donate Here!


Our Rules for the Poverty Challenge:

1. No person may spend more than $1.50 per day on food and drink combined.  
2. Water is considered free - though in many developing countries to get clean fresh water we would likely have to pay
3. Items from the garden are considered an agricultural venture and are free
4. No stealing from other people's gardens or you'll be arrested by the Poverty Challenge Police (Me)
5. No begging for food 
6. If food is left out as shared food at work you may partake as if someone has invited you over for dinner (Hope you have generous neighbors)
7. Legitimate trade and barter is acceptable (food for food trade or food for work trade)
8. Use of pantry items already purchased before the challenge NOT ALLOWED!  Except for spices
9. No participant may use more than 1 additional day's credit (for example on day 1 the participant is allowed $1.50 and my use up to an additional $1.50 for the next day's credit so purchases may not exceed $3.00 and the second day no purchases may be made).
10. Each challenger is offered 1 foul per week for small otherwise unforeseen infractions (mislabeling of food at the market is a good example).
11. The poverty challenge begins first thing Monday 8/13 and concludes when we have reached our $1000 fundraising goal (or when we can no longer continue on :( )!!  Help us reach our fundraising goal!