I Ate Meat Yesterday!

I managed to make it to yesterday with enough food leftover to cover breakfast (2 eggs, and an apple) and lunch (1 pack Ramen). So, for dinner I spent $2.16 of the $2.37 I had available on 0.6lbs of Boneless Pork Country Ribs. No seasoning, and no sides, but still quite a treat.

Poverty Is About More Than Hunger...

...it's also about hygiene. As part of the two dollar challenge, students were not allowed the use of showers, since on a $2 per day budget they would not be able to afford indoor plumbing. They were allowed to bathe and take "sink-baths," but there are limits to how clean one can get in that manner. It is particularly difficult to wash one's hair.

(Student 1):" I cannot wait until I can take a nice shower. My hair is so gross! My friends have shunned me from sitting with them at the library, so I'm sitting all alone and am smelly apparently."

(Student 2): "Loving my greasy hair!!!! not...."

(Student 3): "This whole no showering is making me feel completely disgusting, I'm not so sure how people go without showers everyday of their lives. IT IS AWFUL. "

(Student 4): "I went to the soccer game today and one of the people I know was like aren't you doing that 2 dollar challenge thing? and I said yeah and they go that means you can't shower and I said no... and everyone around me was so grossed out."

Brave Souls Sleeps in the Shelter

In spite of cold weather and loud train whistles, two students managed to get a full night's sleep in the shelter on Wednesday. Both agreed, it was one of the worst night's ever.

The Importance of Planning

Students are learning the value of saving, budgeting, and careful planning as the week goes on.

(Student 1): I am learning how to save my food so I have more throughout the day.

(Student 2):  Today was a struggle but tomorrow will be better because I had like 50 extra cents and I will get to buy things better then Ramen! I'm excited!

(Student 3): Saving up as much money as I can is seriously helping.

Students Find Joy in Misery

(Student 1): " I was able to buy a can of peas and an apple which made me happy."

(Student 2): "Today was an okay day. I ate hot dogs, noodles and an egg for dinner! It was like a feast!"

The Little Things

I had an apple today. It was the most delicious thing I've ever had. I don't know if it was because eggs and Ramen are so bland compared to an apple, or the fact that I had to strategically plan for two days to be able to buy produce. Either way, it made my day. I'm not the only one who was able to find beauty in the mundane today.

(Student): "Today hasn't been bad so far. I'm still hungry but I was able to buy eggs and split them with [B.] as well as buying a can of spaghetti o's. I'm actually slightly excited for dinner. Saving up as much money as I can is seriously helping."

Day 3

I woke up this morning to the sound of my stomach growling. But, I guess I'm not the only one...

Day Two...Tired of Ramen Day

After a day with Ramen for every meal, almost everyone is officially sick of Ramen. Some of the students have decided to use their $2 plus a few additional cents carried over from yesterday to go to McDonalds and get two items off the dollar menu. I bought a dozen eggs. Now, I have eggs for breakfast and Ramen for lunch and dinner. I'm hoping to buy some fruits and/or vegetables tomorrow. All of the students were visibly tired after only one day of poor eating, and it is becoming clear how hunger can impair cognitive ability.

(Student 1): " I was trying to read "An Ex-Mas Feast" and I couldn't concentrate because all I could think about was food."

Day One...Ramen Day

Today it seems that everyone took advantage of Safeway's sale on Ramen Noodles: 6-pack for $0.99.

I had two for lunch, and one for dinner (no breakfast today). I like Ramen, so I thought it was alright. Some of the students felt otherwise.

(Student 1):
"On Monday, I woke up for class today and I didn't feel like eating [Ramen] noodles at 830 in the morning so I went to class without having breakfast. I sat in class and my stomach hurt. I got back to my room and ate a pack of Ramen noodles.Then went to class and had another pack of non-cooked [R]amen at around 3pm, instead of eating a healthy snack,  chips, or crackers because I couldn't afford them. During class I felt a little tired and drained. I was a little hungry in class and had a little bit of a hard time focusing and also staying awake. Then for dinner I ate another pack of Ramen...yummy."

(Student 2):
"It hasn't even been a full day and I can't stand eating Ramen..... I already want normal food."

(Students 3 & 4):
"...[We] are sitting in our room eating Ramen noodles talking about how much we want to eat popcorn and party mix. Its only the first morning and we're already complaining..."

Hopefully in the next few days we will be able to eat something else, but as another student pointed out: "I didn't realize how difficult it would be to buy something with nutritional value for under $2. I don't know how I am going to make it the rest of the week."

Luckily the discount on the Ramen today leaves a little savings to carry over into tomorrow.

We have a shelter!

$2 Challenge Rules

The rules for the $2 Challenge can be found below. Some of the rules vary depending on the desired level of difficulty. The difficulty level chosen by our class are highlighted in yellow.

 

Rules

This is your Two Dollar Challenge: a personal journey that will confront and challenge you with a few of the many constraints faced by the 45% of the world that lives on less that $2 a day. You choose which rules to follow. You choose the level of difficulty for each individual rule. You are free to choose different levels of difficulty for different rules. You can choose to have your entire organization adhere to the same set of rules or allow each individual to choose their own level of difficulty. We will say, however, that as you increase the level of difficulty you increase the level of interdependence among participants.  In turn, you hasten the formation of community. Community is the key ingredient that adds depth and value to your group discussions. Remember, the Two Dollar Challenge is not about strict adherence to the rules. You decide how deep you want to take the experience. 

RULES

1. All goods and services consumed during the Two Dollar Challenge must be newly purchased out of your $2 a day income. These items include, but are not limited to: personal hygiene products, cosmetics, and any stored food or drinks. You cannot eat using your meal plan during the event.

            Beginner: You receive your daily income in one lump sum (for example, if you choose to live        on $2 a day for 5 days you get $10 up front)

            Intermediate: Your daily income is limited to $2 per day. You are allowed to carry over any           savings from one day into the next day or days.

            Advanced: Your daily income is determined randomly with it averaging $2 per day for the duration of the exercise. You are allowed to carry over any savings from one day into the    next     day or days.

            Expert: Your daily income is determined randomly (see above).  Moreover, your income and          wealth (any accumulated savings or stockpiles of food) are susceptible to adverse shocks            throughout the week.

2. With a few exceptions (see below), you cannot use any part of the wealth you enjoyed before the week.

3. Duration of the Two Dollar Challenge:

            Beginner: You participate for 3 days and 2 nights.

            Intermediate: You participate for 4 days and 3 nights.

            Advanced: You participate for 5 days and 4 nights.

4. You must participate in at least two group discussions. We have topics, readings, resources, and discussion questions to assist you.

5. Shelters:

            Beginner: You can choose to sleep in your room or in the shelter throughout the Challenge.

            Intermediate: Construct shelters out of free and/or discarded materials in your community and        reside in the shelters for at least two nights.

            Advanced: Construct shelters out of free and/or discarded materials in your community and            reside in the shelters 3 or 4 nights.

           

6. Gasoline must come out of your income.

7. No showers. You can bathe from a public water source (for example, a common sink); however, you are not allowed to use the hot water tap. You can use other means to heat water to a desired temperature for bathing.

8. Access to Water:

            Beginner: You can access water from both private and public taps.

            Intermediate: Your access to water is limited to public water sources.

            Advanced: Your organization chooses one designated water source (a spigot). This is your   community’s well. All water must be fetched from this water source.

9. Water must be boiled before it can be consumed (this includes water for drinking, cooking with, or brushing your teeth with). You are allowed access to a stove, a pan and an appropriate container for holding water into the simulation.

10. Access to Restroom Facilities:

            Beginner: You can access both private and public restrooms.

            Intermediate: Your access is limited to public restrooms.

            Advanced: Your access is limited to one designated public restroom.

11. Your consumption of electricity should coincide with nature. For example, lights can come on when the sun rises but must go out at sunset.

12. Use of Electronics:

            Beginner: You may choose to use electronics (cell phones and computers) during the day in any     location and inside a university building after dusk

            Intermediate: You may not use your cell phone at night, but can use your computer all day in         any location during the day, and inside a university building after dusk

            Advanced: You may not use your cell phone or laptop during your participation in the challenge     with the exception of work or class related activities.

13. Your consumption of heat will not be constrained. Indoor heating is permitted.

14. You are allowed two complete outfits of clothing. Both complete outfits must be kept on your possession for the duration of the Challenge. Layering is encouraged.

15. Bartering for additional goods and services that you wish to consume outside of your $2 a day income.  You must provide a service in exchange for these goods (for example, cleaning a dorm room).

            Beginner: You cannot ask friends or family members, but are encouraged to seek out individuals    within your immediate community for assistance.

            Intermediate: You must barter with individuals outside of your immediate community.

            Advanced: You cannot barter for additional goods and services.

16. Any monetary assistance you receive during the five days must be donated to the cause that your fundraising efforts are going towards. It cannot be used to supplement your income.

17. The free food at campus events is off-limits.

18. Unsolicited food donations can be accepted to help facilitate communication with the community, although friends and family should not donate food.

            Beginner: You are allowed to consume perishable food; however, non-perishable food items          should be donated to a local shelter or food bank.

            Intermediate: You are not allowed to consume perishable food donations. If the food is non-          perishable the items should be donated to a local shelter or food bank

            Advanced: You are not allowed to consume perishable food donations. If the food is           nonperishable the items should be donated to a local shelter or food bank.

EXEMPTIONS

1. Gasoline consumption for commuter students and those who drive to work or internships.

2. Dependent family members.

3. Consumption of all health related goods and services.

4. Uniforms for work or extracurricular activities.

5. Refrigeration

6. Pots and Pans for boiling water

7. Reusable Water Bottle

8. Backpack for carrying items

If you are planning on staying in the shelters overnight, you are allowed to bring in the following wealth:

1. Sleeping Bag

2. Blanket

3. Tarp

4. Cell phone

DO’S AND DON’TS

1. Do refrigerate all perishables.

2. Do not skip taking medication.

3. Do not participate if ill or become ill.

Hood College $2 Challenge begins Monday Sept. 23rd!