Description

A Walk in Other’s Shoes is returning to this year’s Week of Action Against Poverty. This challenge is being undertaken by individuals in the community who have interests within the health field. Participants have been asked to attempt to stay within a social assistance benefits’ budget. A single person on Ontario Works would receive $337 monthly for all of their personal needs and $384 for all of their shelter costs. Because participants cannot replicate the housing conditions realistically, shelter costs are not included within this challenge. For the five day challenge, participants will have $11 daily to cover all food and drink, entertainment, some personal supplies and transportation costs. Each day, every participant will be given a challenge card which will reveal an unexpected challenge to be completed before the end of the day.

A Walk in Other’s Shoes is not a competitive challenge. It is a challenge that raises awareness of the hurdles that people living on social assistance face daily. As we within our community develop our own understanding, we can begin to reduce the barriers that they encounter and ultimately increase opportunities for increased prosperity for all. The challenge takes place February 10th-14th, 2018.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

day 2 challenge completed

Today went relatively well. I went for a walk after breakfast, came home and had an apple for a snack. I learned many uses for dish soap including, doing laundry and cleaning my bathroom. I did some more work on my jigsaw puzzle to pass some time before heading out to Sunset country square dancing group. My husband and I joined in January, its every Sunday at the rec centre in the New Horizons Seniors Centre from 1:30-3. Its a lot of fun, and very inexpensive. The total cost from January until the end of April is $10 per person, so about .50 cents per class, which fits my budget nicely. The group is not just for Seniors, clearly. Any age is welcome. It was just what I needed today as I am REALLY missing my friends and family. We learned some new dances and had some laughs. Really great group of people with the patience of Saints I tell you. An added bonus, they always have little toffees or suckers out to help yourself to, for no fee. I had a couple toffees. They tasted so good! I was given a gift when we got there of 3 nice hand made dish clothes from one of the ladies. What a thoughtful bunch of people.
I was feeling a bit self conscious of my appearance before we left the house. I'm not a big make up person, I use only eye liner and bronzing beads, but didn't buy any with my $55. Oh natural for me. My hair is absolutely wild! Guessing the combination of using a cheap 2-1 shampoo and conditioner ($2) combined with no hair products to tame this naturally curly mess gives me the Dianna Ross look. I hate it. I kept it in a French braid yesterday and a bun today.
 The walk home from square dancing was worse than the walk there. The wind was terribly cold. It wasn't that cold this morning. I had intentions of walking over to my daughters house after square dancing, to go and see my grandchildren but I had no way of knowing if they were actually home and didn't want to walk all that way in the cold only to turn around and walk back. Kinda wish now I would have. Miss their little faces. Going to walk there tomorrow night.
I have been able to meet my challenge of not being able to use my broken stove to cook my meals by using my microwave. Somebody must be watching out for me by my deciding to prepare extra yesterday. For lunch today I had a 1/2 can of tuna, some warmed up rice and mixed vegetables {broccoli, cauliflower and carrots}and for supper I had left over lean ground chicken burger, you guessed it, rice and mixed vegetables. Starting to get a little old but its going to be the same meal for tomorrow and the next day I'm thinking. Water is my beverage.
I usually take a multivitamin daily but my budget would not allow for that. I'm scared to spend anymore money on groceries cause I don't know what the next few days challenges will be. If tomorrows challenge card doesn't result in me having to spend a lot of money, I think I'm going to go buy a bag of carrots as well as pick up some valentine treats for my family.
Watched my movies today I took out from the library yesterday. The Interpreter was an amazing movie.
Well, 2 days down, 3 more full ones to go. Wonder what my challenge card will have me conquer tomorrow.....

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