By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
TWO dollars – it certainly doesn’t buy much these days, especially in the supermarket.
Rosie Bauld, however is relying solely on the value of this humble gold coin as payment for her meals each day this week. The Noosa resident will be joining thousands of Australians participating in Live Below the Line 2015.
The annual fund-raising campaign run by Australia’s largest youth-run organisation, Oaktree, raises much-needed funds to provide education in Cambodia to help people learn the skills to be able to have a better lifestyle.
The challenge involves spending $10 on food items to last five days (so $2 a day). The rules are that participants must buy every single item out of this allowance and are not allowed to use stuff in their pantry or pick from their garden (unless you add this cost into your budget).
There is, however no limit on water.The $2 daily amount was chosen as this is the Australian equivalent of the extreme poverty line.
This is the first year Rosie has participated in the initiative, having joined up after reading about it on Facebook.
“When I read about the organisation and the great work that they do to highlight extreme poverty, I decided I should be involved,” Rosie said.
“I am passionate about education as a means to make significant change.”
Rosie says the challenge will also make her more grateful for the lifestyle she has. So far Rosie has managed to raise a total of $230 and hopes to bring that to $400.
Chatting to Noosa Today on Monday Rosie, who would usually spend $100 a week on groceries, is not finding the sacrifice too difficult so far.
“I shopped around for bargains,” Rosie said.“I bought most of my ingredients at Aldi and I have plenty for two meals a day.
“I also went to Woolworths at the end of the day looking for some markdown bargains.
“The first day was good – I had to leave for Brisbane at 5am, so did not get to cook my porridge, so I just drank water.
“As my spending was $9.32 – I stopped at a roadside fruit shop and bought a banana for 25 cents.
“It was a little blessing! I looked forward to my vegetable stir-fry and brown rice.
Rosie is however missing her morning coffee. To help Rosie reach her total, visit www.livebelowtheline.com.au/me/rosie_shiels. More information about Live Below the Line can be found at www.livebelowtheline.com.au.
