Living on $2.25 a day
It will be a sparing diet of dahl and homemade bread for Hamilton respite worker and caregiver Ruth Bell as she joins the nationwide five-day challenge to Live Below the Line.
From October 6 to 10, the 52-yearold will live on a food budget of just $2.25 a day – the New Zealand equivalent of the World Bank’s international ‘extreme poverty line’.
It may not seem like much, but for many in poverty, NZ$2.25 has to cover more than just food, it pays for housing, transport, bills, education, clothing and the other necessities of everyday life.
It’s the price of a piece of cake and a store-bought coffee, says Bell, who plans to live off porridge, bread and ‘‘very cheap’’ coffee for a week.
‘‘It is just a small taste of what many experience in living in poverty, it’s really to raise awareness of those living in extreme poverty, and raise funds to help.
‘‘Really I should be giving up the car and walking everywhere as well.’’
On hand is Tear Fund’s cookbook One Helping, providing weeknight recipes from NZ chefs at a cost of 75 cents a helping.
Bell’s favourite is the pumpkin and yellow splitpea dahl with homemade flatbread, made at a cost of five cents a loaf.
‘‘The big challenge is getting the balance right. You don’t eat much meat, or fruit and vege.
‘‘A lot of social gatherings revolve around food also, so it can be quite hard, coming off it is a real culture shock.’’
Bell plans to do her week’s shopping at the local Pak ’n Save on Mill Street and won’t have to worry about a hungry husband as he typically works away.
‘‘I guess there are things like specials, that people in poverty don’t get.’’
This is the third time living below the line for Bell, who is hoping to
Ruth Bell will see what $2.25 a day really buys in food this October. attract a region-wide contingent to help generate more than last year’s $500,000 raised nationally.
She has already recruited three others, and $300 through her online profile on the campaign website. ‘‘Last year I raised $800.’’ Funds raised by Bell will go towards her chosen charities – Tear Fund and Nvader.
Established by former detective Daniel Walker, NVader works to combat sex trafficking and slavery. According to its website, about two million women and children are trafficked into the commercial sex industry each year,working in brothels, earning criminal networks US$99 billion annually.
‘‘Its a growing trend across Asia and South America.’’
Living Below the Line was spawned in the backyard of a Melbourne home in 2010 by a pair of housemates passionate about raising awareness of poverty.
Since then it has gone global with people around the world raising funds for selected charities.
To sign up to Live Below the Line this October visit livebelowtheline.com.