PREPARATION

Grocery shopping was a bit different this week. I shopped for the family as usual, but seperately for me. I had a list of supplies that Syrian refugees recieve so I bought those for my ration challenge week. The list sounded restricted - rice, chickpeas, lentils, flour, kidney beans, oil, sardines. But I did not realise just how little they get to survive on. When I measured each supply out at home I was surprised by the small amounts. Mostly rice, and a few other bits and pieces.

Here's the list:
Rice - 1.9kg
Flour - 400g
Chickpeas - 85g
Lentils - 175g
Kidney beans - 1 tin
Tomatoes - 1 tin
Vegetable oil

How will I go eating only this for a week? I'm sure I will dislike rice for a while after this! I have chosen to swap sardines for a tin of tomatoes. I have also 'earnt' a few extras by getting sponsorship. In refugee camps people might be able to supplement their rations with money earnt from work, selling crafts etc. I can use a spice, seasonings, and have earnt a cup of milk, some sugar, and a carrot. Not much, but it seems a big help to have something extra. I think I will miss vegetables and fruit the most this week. I am surprised that there are not more vegetables - dried peas would even be welcome at this stage, and usually I dislike peas!

I also downloaded my meal plan and recipes - they give me hope for a little variety at least, but not much! I think this is going to be an eye-opening week, and probably a hungry one!

At least I have the reassurance of 'proper' food at the end of the week - refugees do not know when this rationing will end for them. Their lives are 'on hold' as they wait in hope to be able to return to their homeland, or to find a new home. Whatever the outcome, their lives will never be the same again.

I am please to be doing a tiny bit (by getting sponsorship) to try to help refugees on their way to getting some order and security back into their lives.

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