A Vernon resident is living on just $1.75 per day to raise awareness about extreme poverty.
Leo Joy is not content with simply signing a petition or wearing an armband when it comes to global poverty. In fact, the local resident is putting his convictions on the line and spending just $1.75 each day for a week on food.
From May 4 to 8, Joy will be joined by thousands of people across the country and internationally who are taking the challenge.
“I joined the challenge to reach out to more people to let them know that there are powerful things they can do to end extreme poverty,” said Joy, who will be taking the challenge with his wife Sheri and roommate Curtis.
“I hope to have a better understanding of how hard it is to get by on $1.75 a day.”
As a part of the Live Below the Line campaign, every single one of them will be spending just $1.75 each day on food and drink: the Canadian equivalent of the international extreme poverty line.
Joy will have no shortage of company – in addition to the thousands taking part in the challenge, 1.2 billion people struggle to meet their daily needs on less than $1.75 a day.
“I believe that it is our duty as fellow human beings to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, and comfort (and give medicine to) the sick and dying,” he said.
Joy will be Living Below the Line for five days to raise money for Results Canada, helping to fund the advocacy work they do to combat extreme poverty.
“Results Canada allows me, an ordinary citizen, to help millions of people. By joining my voice with others across Canada, we are making a powerful difference in the lives of the 1.2 billion people who are living on less than a $1.75 a day.”
Joy is part of a team of participants in Vernon who are embarking on the challenge together.
“I have been in Results Canada for about 10 years. I arrived here about two years ago and started Results Vernon.”
When he joined Results 10 years ago, Joy says 42,000 children under five died of poverty every day. “That number is now 15,000. That is a 60 per cent reduction in only 10 years.”
To find out more about this unique challenge visit www.livebelowtheline.ca.
