The most important food I ate in 2017

In May I signed up for the Ration Challenge as organised by Act for Peace. I committed to living on the same rations that a Syrian refugee living in a camp in Jordan would for the whole of Refugee Week (18-25 June). It was amazing. Super challenging and confronting, but a huge personal success when it got me talking to friends and family about their position on how we treat other humans.

One weeks supply of dry goods was posted to me and I had to reach fundraising goals to add in bonuses. I joined a local team and the 5 of us raised over $6000 to support Syrian refugees.

 So what does a weeks food look like?

We were instructed to add extra rice and flour, as could be collected at a local market in a refugee camp. The 120g block of tofu you see here could have been tinned sardines for the meat eaters. As I increased my fundraising tally I was able to add the following items to supplement the week; 8 tea bags, 50g sugar, 170g of one vegetable (I chose kale as I knew it would last for a week, and it is hearty), a bonus 120g of tofu, a $5 bonus item (I choose a fruit smoothie on day 4),

One of my fundraising strategies was to ask my friends and family to join me for a meal or a day. I would buy the ingredients and they would sponsor me to cook the extra food and deliver it to them.

This was what I offered them. A whole day pack included a tea bag for breakfast, rice and lentils with a flatbread for lunch, and rice, kidney beans and a chickpea and kale felafel for dinner.

Lets just say, I have amazing friends. This is how many people joined me and ATE like a refugee right alongside me, while donating as well.

Here are some other snaps of my cooking that week. 

I was well and truly ready for some more spice and flavour - and coffee - at the end of the week. It was truly an amazing eye opener and conversation starter. I raised $2407, enough to feed 6 refugees for a year which was a great feeling.  I think I am almost ready to sign up and do it again!! www.actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au