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Sam Taylor can look forward to staples like rice in her quest to live on $2.25 a day - Source: Fairfax -
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One Hamilton student is forgoing alcohol, coffee and myriad other treats to get a perspective of how those in extreme poverty live.
And she's calling on others to do the same.
Waikato University student Sam Taylor, a Global Poverty Project ambassador, will spend five days living on just $2.25 as part of a nationwide challenge called Live Below the Line.
The challenge aims to get people to experience the hardships of extreme poverty.
The 23-year-old psychology student said it was a great chance to get people talking about a significant worldwide issue.
"Sometimes the problems of the developing world seem far removed from our lives in Hamilton," she said.
"But this gets people so excited and shows them that we can do something.
"It builds a conversation around what we can do and that's crucial to making change."
The Global Poverty Project said the percentage of people living in extreme poverty had dropped from 52% in 1981 to just over 25% in 2010.
"So we are the generation who can actually end global poverty. So the question isn't about whether we can or not, but whether we will."
Taylor said living on $2.25 a day would be difficult, but was possible.
"It will take some planning. I think the difficult thing will be that you lose your choice. You can be full and eat enough on that, but you lose your choice.
"The caffeine withdrawals are going to be quite a challenge."
Those who sign up would be provided with recipe suggestions.
Taylor also recommended doing the challenge with a group - so you could pool your money and do a group shop.
Will Watterson, New Zealand director for the Global Poverty Project, said the Live Below the Line Challenge would give New Zealanders a feeling for the difficult decisions that people faced when living on just $2.25 per day.
"The Live Below the Line Challenge is an entry point for thousands of Kiwis to think about the complexities of extreme poverty," he said.
"When you're confronted with the decision about how to get enough to eat, it gives you a greater appreciation for the people who sometimes have to decide between food and a doctor's visit to help a sick child."
The Live Below the Line challenge is
welcoming people to sign
up.
The Challenge runs from September 24 to 28.