Contemplation

Could I do this for another week? Yes.
Another month? If I had to.
Indefinitely? It would be pretty bland and I'm not sure how nutritious rice, lentils, chickpeas etc are.

When I looked at doing this, friends said it looked really hard. I thought so too. I knew I would have to sacrifice 'regular' food that I was used to, but figured I could do it for a week to help others.
It has not been as difficult as I thought. There is plenty of food - just not much variety.

But look at what I read today...
"I cried a lot before opening the package, as the package contained items I needed. When I recieve a package I feel happy that there are people who remember me. " Mona, Jordan  (Syrian Refugee recieving a ration package almost identical to what I have been eating).

That really made me stop and think. What a different perspective. Here I was thinking how hard this would be, what a small amount of food, and the sacrifices I would make. And yet refugees are so grateful for this! It makes a huge difference to their lives.

And then I read about some of the refugees' lives before conflict - farmers, doctors, pharmacists, teachers; home owners, people living ordinary lives. "Life was good and we felt comfortable and safe. We lived the most beautiful life and didn't even consider this would happen. But when the war broke out we were terrified. Our life was filled with pain and fear."
Ordinary people like me - WITH NO CHOICE but to flee and leave behind everything they knew. Ordinary people who probably used to eat freely, who are now grateful to recieve a ration package.

I just can't comprehend what it must be like, but this experience has helped me think a little more about it.  Apparently globally there are 65.5 MILLION people refugees and displaced people around the world today (according to UN Refugee agency UNHCR) In Syria alone there are over 6 million internally displaced people, and 5.4 million people have fled the country and become refugees. Such a huge problem that needs our help. Food is a basic need and I don't think I will take it for granted as much any more.

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