Can you survive on just a small amount of rice, beans, lentils, fish, oil, flour and chickpeas?
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Well a group of Cedars Christian College students are thriving doing this and in the process showing their support for refugees.
Even school chaplain Carol Ramsey is eating the same rations as a Syrian refugee for a week to raise money and awareness of the plight of refugees around the world.
They have joined thousands of people around the country and put themselves in the shoes of a refugee for a week, as part of the Ration Challenge fundraising initiative held during Refugee Week (June 17-24).
The whole school community has got behind the initiative and sponsored the students to take part in the challenge.
This brave group of Year 11’s and chaplain Carol Ramsey have already raised over $6000.
The money raised supports Syrian refugees in camps in Jordan, and other vulnerable communities, who desperately need help.
Cedars principal Steve Walton said the educational resources, combined with the transformative experience of the challenge, offers young people a way to learn about global issues, further develop empathy for others and empowers them to make a difference in the world.
“I am so impressed with the stand our students are taking and the sacrifice they are making in eating these meagre rations this week to relate to what refugees eat during that time period,” Mr Walton said.
“I am proud of our students for choosing to look outside themselves and to make a difference in our world.”
The Unanderra-based college will hold a Cedars Refugee/Social Justice Day on Friday as part of its Refugee Week celebrations.
Read more: SCARF celebrates Refugee Week
Act for Peace member Karen McGrath founded the Ration Challenge in 2013. The pilot event in 2014 saw 100 brave Australians raise over $60,000.
The Bowral resident and former University of Wollongong student said participation in the challenge has grown exponentially, with more than 15,000 signing up to take part in the challenge last year, raising an astounding $3.2 million in donations.
“The Ration Challenge is more than just a pure fundraising exercise. It is a pertinent opportunity for us as Australians to stand up and to show refugees that we are with them, not against them,” Ms McGrath said.
“It’s an important conversation starter – the challenge makes you want to talk to family and friends about it and take action to create a more compassionate and just society.”
This year the Ration Challenge has gone global, with campaign partners launching the fundraising initiative in New Zealand..