Day 30: The penultimate day

Day 30: Saturday 2nd Feb

Saturday's menu:

Breakfast: Porridge, water and sugar.
Lunch: Cup a soup
Dinner: Rice and mixed vegetables.

Enjoying a sneaky cup a soup

The penultimate day. I'm counting down the the hours now. I have been in London the past few days and so have had to plan every meal and lug tupperwares of food around in my bag.  I this didn't find this as hard as I had done when staying at my friends the other week. I am not sure why that was, maybe I have just become more accustomed to this routine.

I spent the day with my friend exploring the capital and moving from coffee shop to coffee shop. I grabbed my usual free hot water in each one and once cheekily added a cup a soup sachet so I could eat lunch on the go. My friend and I had booked to go and see the Matilda musical. We arrived a bit early and so were exploring the local area when I spotted a 'Wholefoods' supermarket. I am an absolute sucker for places like that. Call me weird but I love looking at the different foods available and giving my self inspiration for recipes. I dragged Els into the shop and spent the best part of an hour with running around looking at all the delicious options they had on offer. I don't know why I do things like this to myself, I just wanted to buy the whole shop. They had the most delicious looking bakery section, and the both of us were particularly taken with the meringues the size of my head. Els bought one of these and I have to say it took all my self restraint not to sneak a little bit when she kindly offered me it later on that evening.  Trips to supermarkets remind me how lucky we are to have such variety and such affordable prices at out fingertips.

Tempting myself in 'Wholefoods'

I have to say the most difficult aspect of this challenge has definitely been socialising. I hadn't realised until now just how many social activities have food at the core of them. You rarely do something where buying or being offered food or drink isn't part of the activity. I have felt painfully awkward asking for free water in coffee shops and most of the baristas give me this 'she's cheap' look.  To be fair it is probably a bit cheeky going into a cafe and not actually buying anything, but I will repay the debts when I reinstate my coffee addiction on Monday.

Being so near to the end of the challenge people keep asking me what I am most looking forward to eating. I don't know if I have a particular meal or food but the following is the best answer I can give you... 1) Fresh fruit and vegetables, 2) Being able to eat socially again and 3) meat that isn't from a tin. I have gotten so used to this challenge I think I  am going to find it strange the first time going into a food store and buying what I like.  I can't wait to stop having to ration my food.

This month has taught me how ridiculously blessed we are in the UK to have the resources that we do. I hope that when this month is over I will not forget all that I have learnt and I will continue to be thankful for what I have and endeavour not to waste food.

Day 29: Poverty Doesn't Have to be Overwhelming

Day 29: Friday 1st of Feb 2013

Friday's Menu: 
Breakfast: Porridge with water, frozen fruit and 1 tsp of sugar.
Lunch: Home made soup 
Dinner: Rice and mixed frozen vegetables

Time to get back on track with the challenge. I have three official challenge days left. I can not wait to get this thing finished! I have been at an orientation event for Tearfund over the past 3 days and so was unable to accurately carry out the challenge during this time; simply because I had no idea how much the food I was eating would be costing. As I have mentioned many times, I decided a few weeks ago to add an extra three days on at the end of month. I want to make sure that I complete this to the very best of my ability, and so want to actually spend only £1 a day on food and drink for 31 days. Although the three training days were not officially part of my 31 day challenge I did try my best to eat small portions and avoid the scummy treats that were on offer. It was difficult and I have to say I did listen to the people who said 'don't worry its not an official day' when I tucked into fruit, salad and one brownie, food that I haven't been able to afford all month. It will always annoy me that I couldn't complete the challenge on 31 consecutive days, but I have to move on from this and acknowledge how much I have achieved this month. 

At the Tearfund training this week we spent a lot of time looking at what is poverty and how can this issue be addressed. Here are some new statistics that knocked me for six. 

70% of those living in poverty are women. 

Women work two thirds of the world’s working hours, produce half of the world’s food, but earn only 10% of the world’s income and own less than 1% of the world’s property.

The 2010 Haiti Earthquake killed 230 000 people. The 1989 California earthquake (which was the same magnitude) killed just 63. Those is Haiti didn't have access or the resources to build buildings and infrastructure that would protect them in the event of an earthquake. They didn't have the medical resources to help them treat the injured.

Facts like these can be changed. Steps can be made to ensure that our children don't live in a world where 230000 people die because they don't have access to safe housing.

There is so much injustice in this world it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Poverty is such a massive problem, where do we even start. How can we possibly make a difference. There is no way we could actually see an end to poverty. This is simply not true, but if we all think like that it may become true. Maybe always hearing the negative figures, leads us to think like this. We always focus on those who are still suffering, those who still go to bed hungry, those who still don't have clean water or are victims of rape and violence. We don't ever take the time to look at the differences that have already been made. 

Here are some incredibly inspiring statistics...

In 1981 52% lived in extreme poverty. Now 26% live in extreme poverty.

Between 2002 and 2010 the number of children dying from measles dropped by 78%

22 countries cut their malaria rate in half in just 6 years

We used to say 40,000 children die every day from preventable causes. In the 90's that number dropped to 33000. By 2008 it had dropped to 24000 and by 2010 it had fallen to 21000. We cut that number in half in  a generation. 

Yes these statistics are still un acceptable and yes we need to focus on those who are sell suffering. But, I challenge you to claim now that a difference can not be made. The percentage of people living in extreme poverty has been halved in just 20 years. 26% less people are living in poverty today compared to 20 years ago. We can do that again. We only have 26% to go. Doesn't it seem more manageable when put like this. 

By supporting charities like Tearfund you can do your bit to end the injustice that is poverty. The smallest donation can go a long way. Please sponsor me today by clicking here to be taken straight to my just giving page. Your money will help Tearfund to send volunteers out to people who need our help. Lets do our bit to help them escape the chains of poverty. 

'Where you live shouldn't determine whether you live'.

Bono