This week I signed up for Live Below the Line, which is a campaign where thousands of Australians eat on $2 a day for five days to support people living in extreme poverty. This amazing initiative helps raise funds for quality education for people in East Timor, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.
At first I was hesitant to participate because I love eating. I spend a lot of my time eating and a considerable portion of my income is spent on food. The minimal budget of $10 over 5 days is a definite challenge considering I would probably spend about that amount on one meal alone. I was thinking it would be too difficult for me, but then I realised this is actually a challenge that some people face everyday without the option to do or not to do. The suffering of people in poverty is unimaginable and the determination these people have to lead their communities out of poverty is admirable.
I read this article in 'The Weekly Review' on Viv Benjamin from Live Below The Line and Chief Executive of the Oaktree Foundation, and this was something that hit home for me, she said:
“We have more than enough food in the world, we have more than enough money in the world, but the distribution of both is out of whack. We have the resources to end this, we just need to be the generation that says it’s not acceptable.”
This rang true to me and so I decided to join the campaign to raise funds for this amazing cause. It starts on May 5th-9th so If you want to take part and make a difference you can sign up or donate here https://www.livebelowtheline.com.au/me/olivesundays
Check out this video, it gives you a visual overview on Live Below the Line https://www.livebelowtheline.com.au/#viv-video
Now to organise a meal plan for the five days. Any suggestions? My bf thought he'd help plan but his idea seemed a little too repetitive. This was his plan: Our pizza place does a special deal of $10 for 2 large pizzas. 2 large pizzas means 16 slices of pizza (3 slices per day) plus one bonus slice for when I’m really struggling. So that means each day I would eat one pizza for breakfast, one for lunch, one for dinner and one slice to eat in case of an emergency. It was a good suggestion but hmm just not for me.
Stay tuned for meal plans and updates.
Thanks for your support!
Olives x
5 thoughts on “Live Below The Line 2014”
What a beautiful thing to be a part of. I wish I could think of better ideas, but the only thing that comes to mind is that beans are a really cheap source of complete protein (plus fiber). And rice puffs up and is really filling but relatively cheap. Good luck! 🙂
Thanks that’s a great idea. I love beans and I love rice! Might need some sort of protein though, I’m thinking maybe eggs. Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Well done on taking up the challenge! I did it (and blogged it as well, so if you need ideas you can pop by and search my blog) a couple of years ago, it really was something. Good luck!
Thanks for the support 🙂
It really gives insight as to how being undernourished can affect everything. You were cranky after one week, but what happens if it’s your whole life? Thanks for sharing!