The Two Dollar Challenge
Helping break the cycle of poverty
Kaleen Becker
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Campus
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Between March 28 and April 26, all participants lived on two dollars a day or less. They also raised money to donate to those living in poverty. "This challenge was an opportunity for we, as students, to see how difficult this is and how very privileged we are to have our luxuries," said Chris Roundy, biology major.
When Spanish/Latin American Studies major Amanda Ruiz was contacted by a professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., she had no idea what the Two Dollar Challenge was. "The professor was trying to find other schools to participate in the challenge," she said. "They have been participating in it for a few years."
The purpose of the challenge is to raise awareness of poverty in the United States and other countries. "Nearly 75 percent of the global population lives on two dollars or less each day," said Roundy. "This project gets attention and allows us to raise funds to help [poverty]."
Ruiz says that the insights that those who participated have gained will help fuel the compassion to alleviate poverty and address why it happens at all. "We've realized how much we take for granted every day," she said.
Food and showers, for example. "A shower costs one dollar," said Ruiz, "so you have to decide if you want to take a shower or use your money for food." She said many people have been physically weaker because of the rationing of food. "Toward the end of the week I could feel my health being affected," said Roundy. "I became lightheaded and weak periodically throughout the day. I realized how much I enjoy milk, meat and fruit, all of which were too expensive for two dollars a day." The environment did not help, either.
"We have people in tents, cardboard boxes with tarps thrown over them, even a teepee," said Ruiz. However, with rain and snow throughout the week, many of the shelters that people put up were compromised. "We decided on the week [April 13] because the weather was supposed to be warm," she said.
In order for the Westminster Social Science Club to participate, they had to collect sponsorships. Each participating organization must pledge to raise funds to go toward those suffering from poverty.
"The funds that we raise are going toward the building of local and international schools," said Ruiz. " The money is going toward the continuing construction of a school in Duk Padiet [in Southern Sudan, Africa]."
In 2001, Duk Padiet was attacked by the Islamic militia of Northern Sudan. The children were separated from their parents and many were left alone with only each other to depend on. About 4,000 moved to the United States and attended school. They established an organization called One With Us to help rebuild the village of Duk Padiet. Westminster has agreed to send the funds they raise to the organization.
"We have raised a lot of money so far," said Ruiz. And they have been challenged to raise more. An anonymous Westminster minority student with a full tuition scholarship has challenged the club to raise $1000. If they do, the student will match it. "The student
feels that s/he needs to share that gift of learning with others who clearly value and yearn for it," said Ruiz.
The week also coincides with other events on campus related to poverty. The week of April 6, the Social Science Club hosted the Dye-in for Darfur. "Students made signs and laid down all over Shaw to signify the death in Darfur," said Ruiz. Each student who participated wore a black and white T-shirt with the slogan "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in seven languages. "After they finished, they tie-dyed their T-shirt, which really symbolizes peace and unity," she said.
The Drop, which takes place the week of April 20, is just one more thing symbolizing peace and unity. "In the U.S., it takes an immigrant child two years to be invited into someone's home," said Ruiz. "Many of those children are part of youth groups, and the Drop will allow the children to connect with others in a greater capacity."
The Social Science Club will invite many youth groups from around the state to Westminster throughout the week. They will participate in service projects and activities with the other groups involved. "It will not only help them build relationships, but give them a sense of community," said Ruiz.
"This [project] improved my understanding of the large portion of the world that lives on two dollars a day," said Roundy. "It makes me want to be more engaged in global civil service. I will be in Uganda this June and I am glad that I did this challenge and will be able to relate to the people I will be helping more than I would have otherwise."
"It is an educational tool," said Ruiz, "making us better, more effective agents in the fight against poverty."
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