'I know that for some of you this post is quite random, but please check it out! We want to get the word out about what we're doing so that we can challenge people to help in the fight against extreme poverty in our world. Thanks for taking the time to read it. We hope you'll follow our journey and maybe even repost it so that others can get involved. We want to challenge our sphere of influence so that maybe you can challenge yours...
We look around everyday at Tumaini and see what seems to be an abundance of resources. Fields of sugarcane, greens, and maize; water flowing from local streams. As American’s living at Tumaini Miles of Smiles Centre we never have to worry about where our food or water comes from. When the well runs dry we just get in the car and head to the local grocery for some bottled water and our house helps (maids) prepare lunch and dinner for us daily. Although we are infinitely thankful for our accommodations while in Kenya we desire to experience first hand what it’s like to live outside of the walls of our compound. What is it really like to live in poverty? We’ve all heard the staggering statistics about the millions of people in the world living on less than a dollar a day. We want to know what that really looks like, so that’s where our “A-Dollar-A-Day” Challenge comes in.
Disclaimer...
Many of you may think highly of us already for giving up our cushy lifestyles in America. DON’T!!! Many of you may be saying better her than me, or I admire your willingness to give up so much to go. We’ve heard all of these things before, and don’t get us wrong, they are encouraging words. Yes we did quit our jobs and leave our homes and families behind, but the truth is we still have access to so much more than the people surrounding us. That being said, we would also like to note that not everyone in our area lives on a dollar a day. Some families are business owners, teachers, drivers, doctors, and lawyers. They are doing quite well for themselves even according to American standards. Many others are middle class families who work hard to make ends meet. They look much different than our middle class families, as they may only have 3 or 4 changes of clothes, no running water, and a bicycle instead of a car. Nonetheless, these people are NOT living in poverty by Kenyan standards. Another misconception is that a dollar goes much further in a third world country. Yes this may be true for some items such as avocados that go for about a nickel, but in most cases items are much more expensive. An example of this is gasoline that goes for about six dollars per gallon. As you can see a dollar won’t get you very far.
Okay so back to the challenge. In honor of our love for the nations, beginning the morning of February 14th and ending the evening of February 20th we have committed to live on 80 Kenyan shillings per day. This is the equivalent of 1 US dollar. We want to fully embrace the lifestyle of those who actually live on a dollar a day. This means we will not be allowed any of the luxuries that currently surround us. This includes toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, or toothpaste. It also includes electronic devices such as cell phones, computers, ipods, etc. We will only have the clothes on our back, 1 other change of clothes, and we will be barefoot for the entire week. Finally, no flashlights or electricity, only oil filled lamps and candles. Extreme you may say???? Tell that to the millions to whom this is a reality.
We will be using our money to seek shelter, buy food, and of course tithe. Check out our budget for details:
Amanda and Lacey’s A-Dollar-A-Day Challenge Budget:
Tithe
8 ksh- Daily Cost Per Person
(Ten percent of our income and this is the most important to us.)
1 Room Mud House
17 ksh- Daily Cost Per Person
(Average cost 500 ksh/month) for this type of accommodation
1 Bar of Soap
4 ksh- Daily Cost Per Person
(One full bar = 48ksh we will cut in half for sanitary purposes)
1 Roll of Toilet Paper
2 ksh- Daily Cost Per Person
(This is not a necessity to others but it is to us… again for sanitary purposes)
Food
49 ksh- Daily Cost Per Person
(This amount will have to sustain us daily)
** Special Note: We will be walking to the well or spring daily to fetch our water for drinking, bathing, and laundry, however we will be drinking bottled water during this time to prevent serious illness.
We would love to share our journey with you and you better believe that we are going to need some serious prayer support. After our challenge we will be posting our journal entries as well as a video blog that will allow you to see both the physical and emotional struggles and obstacles associated with extreme poverty. We are filled with mixed emotions as we enter this challenge and pray that it will enlighten us and challenge others to get involved in the fight against poverty in a tangible way… More details to come :) '
-Amanda and Lacey
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