Can you imagine surviving on a small amount of rice, beans, chickpeas, lentils, fish, oil and flour per week? For many families around the world living on rations is a reality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Schoolchildren have been encouraged to eat like a refugee for Refugee Week on June 16 to 23 to raise funds to help children and families threatened by conflict and disaster around the world.
The Ration Challenge is a fundraising initiative that empowers Australian students to stand in solidarity with children who live as refugees in other countries.
Every student registered by their teacher will receive a ration pack. It will contain the same rations, in the same quantities, as those distributed to Syrian refugees in camps in Jordan.
Head girl at Oxley College, Jemima, said the Ration Challenge was a wake-up call.
"it's one small thing you can do to help widen your perspective and create meaningful conversations with your parents, friends, grandparents and community," Jemima said.
Co-founder of Act for Peace, Karen McGrath, said children will step into the shoes of another person in another country, and experience just one of the many struggles refugees face on a daily basis.
The Ration Challenge was established in 2014 and since then more than 40,000 people who have signed up to take part.
92 Australian schools signed up for the schools program when it was piloted in 2018 with more than $315,000 raised.
"We received such a great response from schools last year, which showed that young Australians are prepared to do what it takes to help others in their time of need. This year we hope even more schools will come on board to continue to show refugees we stand with them," Ms McGrath said.
The money raised from the Ration Challenge will help refugees receive the food, medicine and support they need to re-build their lives, and support other conflict and disaster affected families around the world.
Visit rationchallenge.org.au for more information.
READ ALSO:
