I Choose to Live Below the Line Because 1.4 Billion People Have No Choice Ian Haisley - TakePart
go to original April 10, 2013

The 2013 Live Below The Line Road Scholars tell you how to get involved with this years LBL challenge. (LiveBelowtheLineUS)

I opened the fridge. Sitting there right next to the water was a bottle of cranberry juice. I could almost hear it whisper, “Drink me” ... I had to run. I grabbed the water, closed the fridge, picked up my saltines, and left the kitchen.

In 2012, I took part in the Global Poverty Project’s Live Below the Line challenge. The moment I experienced in the kitchen took place on the second day of my five-day quest to live on $1.50 a day. It’s not that I was extremely hungry on day two; it was that I lacked options. I had become so accustomed to eating what I wanted, when I wanted, that my newfound restrictions seemed not only challenging, but also painful.

The most difficult part was the shopping. When was the last time you went to the grocery store and only spent $1.50? The options are fairly limited. With a lot of thought, teamwork and creative planning, I was able to plan my entire week and avoid eating ramen for every meal.

In reality, I had nothing to complain about. Living Below the Line made me realize that I am fortunate. What for me was a five-day challenge is a daily reality for the more than 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty. Food access, not choice, is a struggle they face every day.

Read the rest at TakePart

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!