refugee rations challenge

[tielan]

So, this winter, I've decided to join a 'refugee rations challenge' - in part to challenge myself about the comforts I live in, in part to raise awareness of the circumstances of refugees and what they have to live with in refugee camps.

The goal is simple: for one week, an individual lives on the equivalent of rations for a Syrian refugee in a Jordanian refugee camp.



It's not very much. Certainly, it's a lot less than I'm used to eating, and well, you probably know how much I love my food in flavour, quality, quantity... There's none of those things here - enough to keep together body and soul, and maybe not that much either.

It'll definitely be a challenge for me. And, no, I wouldn't be doing this if I was playing sport or had physical/health/emotional issues that weren't being handled. I'm crazy not suicidal! The garden will manage itself for a week, so no heavy lifting/moving compost. We'll manage.

I'm not going to ask for your money, I know most of you guys reading this are down to your own financial edges and, well, I've nearly hit my fundraising goals from people in RL. I expect more will come when I point out that this is a far cry from the "seven houses and all their bills paid" lies that are being spread around the internet about refugees in Australia. *GRR*

Anyway, here is me looking distinctly nonplussed by the size of the box. It is not at all a large box...



You can read more about the ration challenge here at my fundraising page. I'm making it a fundraising, 'fasting', and prayer thing all at once, because I figure this is the closest I'm going to come to intentional fasting (and not just "oh, it's dinner time and I didn't eat because I was depressed" (yes, I do this too, just not often).

So, that'll probably be my next week. Complete with whining. I'll put it under a cut so you don't have to read the whining.

Comments

[kass]

Wow. I am humbled.

Also, apropos of nothing at all, I love getting to glimpse my internet friends; thank you for sharing a photo!

[tielan]

Ooh, don't be! We do what we can with what we can; I have been very lucky in so many things in my life and this is my stretching myself and my comfort zones - and hopefully taking a bunch of friends with me!

[wpadmirer]

I admire you for doing that. It's definitely not going to be easy or pleasant.

[tielan]

I have warned: there will be whining. I've lived an incredibly privileged life in so many dimensions, so this will be pushing myself out of my comfort zone (and hopefully bringing a few RL friends along with me).

[conuly]

JFC, and I thought the SNAP challenge wasn't a lot of food.

The nations of the world need to get their collective asses in gear, and their heads out of same, and start letting more refugees in - and letting them in to stay if they like. FFS, most of us have negative population growth, so we need the people and economic stimulus they imply anyway. It's win-win if the bigots would just shut the hell up.

[conuly]

Also, would you like me to link to this? Spread it around and all?

[tielan]

I...am uncertain about this?

As in, I never expected any donations from fannish people, and I think it may be a little late for people to join in. I know it runs in other countries, but my link goes to the Australian site. Also, apparently it's run by the international aid arm of the Council of Churches Australia (something which I only just realised, as in literally in the last 10 minutes), and while I don't know anything terrible about them off the bat, fannish people may wish to donate to refugee programs through another organisation.

Mostly, I wanted to let people know what was going on before I began complaining how hungry I am... *wry smile*

So, uh, I think I'll say "no, but thank you so much for offering!"

[conuly]

See, this is why I ask :)

[tielan]

And thank you for asking! :)

[kore]

Oh man, and at least with SNAP cards you can choose what to buy. If the Republicans haven't declared it off limits for you that is, LOL. (I do think the SNAP challenge is way too prohibitive when it says you can't eat "free food" that you might get from family, friends, work, whatever. My partner and I were on food stamps for a while and you just cannot survive on what they give you -- we were very dependent on food banks and charity from friends. -- I was also going OMFG at the number of people who did their SNAP shopping at places like Trader Joe's and who bought fresh produce.)

[conuly]

Well, TJ's is pretty cheap as far as produce goes.

But omg so with you on Republicans needing to stop trying to limit SNAP.

[tielan]

Ugh.

Our government is issuing 'food cards' to indigenous Australians that can only be used on certain products - as in, not just "you have this much money" but "you can only spend it on these products" (and possibly These Brands at These Shops) and if you try to buy alcohol (and maybe even sweets/'junk' food) then I have a feeling it flags you for 'investigation'.

[beatrice_otter]

I hope it is a meaningful experience for you and you are able to use it to raise awareness.

[tielan]

Thank you! :)

[copracat]

In the context of the post your t-shirt is extra hilarious.

All the best for your fundraising.

[tielan]

LOL. Yes, I realised that when I looked at the photo I'd taken! Ah well, no cookies for a week. I'll survive...somehow.

[kore]

HFS I thought that was food for a DAY. The box is a whole WEEK?

(also very nice photo of you! it's nice to see friends)

[tielan]

Yeah, NOPE. One week. It's approximated; food is issued in boxes for six people for a month, but this is the "week for one person" equivalent.

And yeah, it's not much. Apparently they go hungry quite frequently. :(

[thothmes]

Thank you for raising awareness of the issue. I have Palestinian family that grew up in a refugee camp. I can’t even imagine what that would have been like, and how she managed to emerge without having had her soul sucked dry.

[tielan]

It's certainly a big hotbutton issue around the place these days. :/

[velithya]

oh wow. That is definitely not a lot of food! (at least you have coupons for more rice!) I hope the challenge goes okay for you & it's not too difficult.

[tielan]

I think the problem is mostly going to be boredom with the food.

[velithya]

ahh yeah that's true, no spices or anything to liven it up. :|