Students experience poverty during challenge

Sophomore Kylie Turk was surprised with rain Tuesday morning as she set up the blue tent that will be her home for the next two days. A man passing by suggested she grab a garbage bag, poke holes in it for her arms and then use it as a raincoat.
So began her experience as a person stricken by poverty.

The Trockman Microfinance Initiative members are participating in the Two Dollar Challenge to raise awareness for poverty.

According to sophomore Samantha Capshew, more than half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. Microfinance works to help the poor gain access to credit and small loans to start businesses that will help their families survive.

The challenge, which occurs nationwide on different campuses and in cities, works to raise awareness of poverty and the importance of these loans.

“We are also hoping for the experience that will help us gain a better understanding of the depths of poverty,” said Capshew.

About seven students are participating in the two-day event, which continues until 8 p.m. today.

Turk, president of the Initiative, said the idea came last semester after the organization heard about it happening in other places. Because of the timing, she said they are only doing it for two days but other places have participated in the challenge as long as a month.

During the challenge, participants are only allowed to use up to $2 a day. They must use public facilities for showers and for computers to do schoolwork. They are not allowed to use their cell phones or laptops.

“I guess it’s very hard to be cut off from electronics,” said Capshew. “I don’t think I’ve realized how much time I spend on my phone.”

Sophomore Corey Bright, who coordinated the event, said she has enjoyed the bond the group has gained so far.

The first challenge was how they would use their money to buy food for the day. They realized that putting their $2 together would be the best way to afford more.

“It’s very difficult to eat healthy though,” said Turk.

The members are spending the days in Dunn Meadow and have enjoyed the visits from different people.

Capshew said a homeless man approached them and gave them ideas for providing local microfinance loan opportunities, which is currently only pursued internationally.

Rent is not covered in the $2 so the students in the challenge must find public places to sleep.

“Our advantage is that we are students, and we look like students,” said Capshew. “We can stay in 24-hour buildings on campus.”

And if they get kicked out, they said look forward to the challenge.