7-day Poverty Experience

1
7-day Poverty Experience

• La Salle College Lasallian Youth Movement
• La Salle College Catholic Society
• Hong Kong Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs

2
Introduction

• Christmas is a time for sharing
• Christmas is a time of thanksgiving
• Experience how the poor children in society pass
  their lives
• Feel the urging earthly desires go against your
  will when you dont have enough money

3
Poverty An Introduction

• We define poverty as living under a monthly
  income less than or equal to half of the median
  income of all other households of equal size.
• Poor children are those children who come from
  families in poverty.

Household Size Income per month
1 person 3,000
2 people 6,400
3 people 8,000
4 people 9,800
4
Why 245?

• 245 was based on a calculation done on the basis
  of 35 per day, excluding items that are too hard
  to measure, such as electricity fees, water fees,
  rent for housing, etc.
• We would like our students to try to minimize
  their expenses during the holiday season in order
  to think of those in severe need.

5
Sample Calculation for 1 day

• Breakfast 2
• Lunch 8
• Dinner 15
• Transportation 5
• Telephone fees 1
• Donation for flag selling 1
• Toys 3
• Total 35

6
Quotes from Bible

• This, however, is not the way it shall be among
  you. If one of you wants to be great, he must be
  the servant of the rest and if one of you wants
  to be first, he must be your slave like the Son
  of Man, who did not come to served, but to serve
  and to give his life redeem many people. (Mark
  20 26-28)

7
Quotes from Bible

• He said, "I tell you truly, this poor widow put
  in more than all the rest for those others have
  all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but
  she, from her poverty, has offered her whole
  livelihood." (Luke 21 3-4)

8
Oath

• I, ___(Name)___, solemn declare that I will do my
  best to minimize my expenditure to 245 for the
  upcoming 7 days. I would be truthful to myself,
  and fill out the form accurately and punctually.
  I hereby ask God to grant me the faith and
  strength needed to fulfill this challenge, and to
  experience what the less-well off people of the
  community are facing during the festive season of
  Christmas.