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Day 7 The Final Day of my Act For Peace Syrian Refugee Ration Challange 201

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Day 7 The Final Day of my Act For Peace Syrian Refugee Ration Challange 201

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Saturday 25th June 2016!

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My total sponsorship ......... Thank you to everyone who sponsored me, gave me encouragement and listened to my experience.

Sinead KentI am taking the Act for Peace Ration Challenge during Refugee Week and opening my eyes to what it's like for refugees to survive on rations. From 19-25 June I will be eating the same as a Syrian Refugee...

Raised so far $1072.00

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- See more at: https://actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au/leaderboards/topindividuals?offset=460#content

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I achieved a $5 reward in the final few days and I was able to treat myself to some eggs.

Ingredients

1 cup cooked rice

Pinch of sardines (replaced with EGG)

Oil to fry

Extra Rewards- Vegetables, flavouring etc

Method

Heat oil in a wok on a high heat.

Add a teaspoon of fish and fry for a minute.

Add reward ingredients such as protein, vegetables or flavourings to the pan.

Add cooked rice and toss and fry for few minutes more until all ingredients are combined and rice is completely heated through

- See more at: https://actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au/useful-stuff/recipes/recipe-12---reward-fried-rice#sthash.RpUOCMrh.dpuf

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Ingredients

50g dry lentils

1/4 cup oil, plus extra for drizzling

Water, amount as needed

Earned spice

Method

Rinse the lentils, cover with a few inches of water, and cook 20-40 minutes, until just tender.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the cooked lentils, and any earned spice and cook until the lentils are a bit mushy, about ten more minutes.

Add water as needed to keep the mixture loose and to keep it from drying out. Serve warm with an extra drizzle of oil.

- See more at: https://actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au/useful-stuff/recipes/recipe-7---syrian-lentils#sthash.x5afrres.dpuf

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Ingredients

225g/one and a half cups flour

Enough cold water to bring the flour together into a dough – start with about a third of the volume of the flour

A little oil for frying

Method

Mix dry ingredients, add the water carefully until dough is soft and sticky.

You can do this with a spoon, and then knead with your fingers for 2-3 minutes.

Turn onto a floured board, and knead for two minsutes longer until easy to handle and not sticky.

Leave to rest for five minutes, longer if you like, covered with a damp cloth.

When ready to cook, separate into four and either flatten into patties by hand, or with a rolling pin – make them as thin as you can.

Heat the pan – start with a medium heat, and adjust up or down as necessary.  Either add a little oil to the pan, or rub a little onto each piece of dough.  Fry the breads, in batches if necessary; don’t crowd the pan– you want the breads to puff up a little and get golden-brown patches but it is vital that the flatbreads cook through, so don’t get it too hot.

Once the undersides are done, flip over and continue to cook on the other side – total time 2-3 minutes a side, depending on thickness of flatbreads and the level of heat.

- See more at: https://actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au/useful-stuff/recipes/recipe-1--simple-flat-breads#sthash.O0jjS8JK.dpuf

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Act for Peace Syrian Refugee Ration Challenge
On Friday morning I got up with my now 'BFH" (best friend headache!) I couldn't believe I only had two more days of this amazing journey of highs, lows and personal reflection.

I had the idea that I had mastered this gig but I hadn't factored in the 'no transport' element. Whilst this isn't the end of the world, and definitely a first world problem, when not expected, can add the minor stresses that a bit of chocolate, slice of toast or a strong cup of Dilma tea would cure - if you could have any of the above!

On the fourth day without a car, and a new problem found with every call, Friday was tested again with another car problem, more charges and another guarantee that my van and I would be reunited by the end of the day! That left me with the bus, not an onerous idea but carting a laptop, paperwork, felt hearts and a container of soup - I took my first deep breath of the journey. Long story short, the rain started, I had to add a brolly to the list above, I missed the bus, it came 3 minutes early and turned at the roundabout missing my bus stop!!! What is that about!!! I picked the wrong bus stop baaaaaaah!  As Friday is not one of my work days I didn't need to be in the office, so I traipsed home! The biggest fear being realised - access to food - ALL DAY!!

It wasn't so bad but being busy at work has been my secret life saver on this challenge! Would I survive? I did!

My food rations were down to 4 sardines, 30 chickpeas, 50 kidney beans, two spoons of lentils, enough flour and oil and my now added $5 purchase of eggs! I had a mishmash of flatbread with mushed kidney beans spread on top - actually ok!

The challenge of Day 6 was the time I had to think about the week, the blandness of the food, the wastage - I cleared my fridge - and where I would go from here - had this journey made a difference - did I make a difference?

The other significant emotion was the confinement. Anyone who knows me, knows I cram - so having to use my leg power and the bus - S....L....O....W....E....D me down massively! My mind wandered to my Syrian Mum connection. If I was in a refugee camp I would be confined, not free to go where I wanted to go, when I wanted to go. I suppose I would have some sort of space to keep tidy, but I wouldn't have the luxury of endless loads of washing or the weekly shopping to do. I find myself thinking of a Syrian Mum's mental health, the unknown, the uncertainty, the uncontrollable - for me this in an unbearable thought.

My food today was satisfying - I think I'm getting used to its blandness, but as well as this I am more mindful of the food I am eating, I am waking up more rested despite the headache, I have a constant craving for simple things like milk in my tea, butter, toast, pasta or even a carrot! I thought I would want chocolate, chips and maybe even a coke or a wine, but I have not craved any of these items! Very interesting!

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I have had sponsorship from so many people this week.  It wasn't expected but it has been greatly received.  The way this challenge works is like this;

You start by sponsoring yourself and the rations you receive are part of that start-up amount.  Then as other people sponsor you, you gain extra rewards.  The rewards I was able to add to my basic rations were:
Spices (salt, pepper, chilli etc.)
8 tea bags
117g of vegetables (one onion)
70g of protein (one egg or a piece of meat - I picked chicken)
50g of sugar
$5 (to buy some more rations)

The addition of the $5 made a difference as I was able to add some eggs and some vegetables to Day 5,6 &7.

I did think I might buy some chocolate or chips but I miss tasty food so much that I didn't even think about the treat foods!

I cannot believe how generous people are, or how much support there is from the people I work with, the families and the community of St Vincent's but most of all the support and encouragement I have received this week from all of you, the students here at St Vincent's.  Thank you so much for your interest, your kind words of encouragement and your suggestions to help keep me focused! I still have 2 days until I finish so keep praying that I can make it.

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An inspiring statement - does it speak to you?

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An inspiring statement - does it speak to you?

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Day 5 of my Syrian Refugee Food Ration Challenge.

I received an image this week with the following slogan;

"You are always one decision away from a totally different life."

This has been so true and relevant this week. Taking part in the food ration challenge, with supplies that are simple, very limited, quite bland and rarely on my normal shopping has turned out to be the living action of the statement above.

My week began with this challenge to raise awareness of the limited food a Syrian person in a refugee camp would receive. Much to my surprise, my connection has less to do with my stomach, hunger and awareness raising and more to do with my connection to any mother, refugee or not, in any situation where the importance of food is the language of love, because there is nothing else.

Presenting what food you have with dignity, honour, gratefulness and love is what I have learned. Food is a privilege and a gift, whatever form it takes, however meagre. plain or ordinary, if it is presented with love, the tasteless becomes tasty.

I must sound totally mad, lack of food maybe, but I'm not. It has been a very profound week. The image/slogan - 'you are always one decision away from a totally different life,' for me this week, is very, very true.

On Wednesday mornings I teach scripture to year 2 students in a public school. This week I shared my story of being on the Ration Challenge. As part of the lesson we linked all the chapters we have covered this week in our scripture book with food.\, respect and love.  Jesus didn't choose not to eat with any person.  His food was always simple and there was always enough to share.  The children gave great answers and one little girl finished the lesson by saying, "No matter how plain our food might be, if we sprinkle a little love it will make the tasteless tasty!"

Last night I heard the story of a young man in the process of seeking asylum. His story is similar to many that I have heard, but the part that connected me to him was his mum's decision to save his life, by putting him in a smugglers boat, with a 90% chance of him dying, to give him life. To remain, he was more likely to die like his brother or go 'missing' like his father.

I could not imagine putting any of my children in a boat, in the hope that they would be safer.  Even though parents say regularly that we would give our lives for our children.  This action by a loving mum in an effort to save her son,  has to choose to give up everything, with only a slim 10% chance that the craft carrying him might succeed, is topsy turvey but in actual fact it's the same.

The expert speaker of the evening, a beautiful Sri Lankan, social justice activist, former refugee, Rev John, brought me back on track by starting his responses to the questions of the evening with the love the mother of Moses (Jochebed) had ..... yep, that's the story. Moses' mother could do no more for him, she could protect him no longer, so she trusted God, placed her son in a basket on the river Nile to save him (Exodus 2:7–9).

So Day 5 is coming to an end. I never expected to feel grateful this week for anything other than the donations received in sponsorship - which now exceeds $1000.00, WOWEEEEEEEE! But I find that I am very grateful for the increased awareness of the value of food, the connection to the power of food, some of the elements of my life as a mum, that I take for granted rather than acknowledge and the difference, that one small act by one person can make!

So only two more days to go. Tonight's dinner was yum, I added an egg! I gained the $5 reward for reaching $1000 so the luxury of an egg made my rice pretty yummy tonight, so tomorrow's lunch is looking good already!! As for the flatbread - I think I'm getting pretty good at 'crisping' up the edges by flipping them over the gas burner on my cooker!!!

I wonder if any St Vincent's families shared a simple meal this week?  I would love to hear about it.

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Syrian refugees answer "What did the war take from you?"

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Give today: http://bit.ly/1NG6CQh The Syrian war is now in its fifth year and the violence is unabating. Brutal conflict has caused mass devastation and destruction, leaving unthinkable suffering and heartbreak in its wake. This war has taken so much: children's mothers and fathers, happy memories, home.

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Day 4 Act For Peace Syrian Refugee Ration Challenge.

Wow - these headaches! It is like an itch that you cannot scratch!

I'm told it's my body reacting to the lack of sugar, and it probably is but a more worrying thought for me is trying to understand how or where the resilience must come from, for a Syrian mum to get up with a headache and face another day of uncertainty? I know what my day is like today everyone is up, they have left for their various destinations, their dinner is in the slow cooker, my lentils are boiling, I know where I have to be - my only additional headache is getting to three appointments on time without a car!

If I was a Syrian Mum I wonder how my day would look if, in addition to this annoying headache and the discomfort of my bodies tiredness, fear, uncertainty, hunger, body aches and being in an area where my movement is monitored, my choice to do as I please were limited and worrying about my families safety were my diary entries for the day?

With only rice, red lentils, chickpeas, one tin of kidney beans, one tin of sardines, flour, water, 117 g of veg and 70g of meat some spice and a little sugar, it's the quantities that are my biggest problem! My brain is so conditioned to 6 big eaters in my family. With food measurements in grams and slices of onion instead of whole onions and a specific number of beans instead of a whole tin, it is hard. It is enough for me to eat, don't get me wrong, and I'm not hungry but it is not very appetizing or enticing!

I have used the 70g of chicken to make a soup that I pour over the rice. The vegetable I have is an onion. I have been adding 'a slice' of onion to the lentils when I make soup. I can add salt, pepper and spice. The flat bread is definitely giving my teeth a good run for their money, but I don't mind as crispy seems to be more filling than chewy! Chewy might not actually be fully cooked either!!! I have made sure that each meal I have, is presented as beautifully as possible. It would be easy to shove it all on a plate and shovel it in my mouth, it's not gourmet food but does it deserve less respect?

I am so conscious that these meals are made with gourmet potential ingredients - yes they need a lot of 'dressing-up' and Masterchef skills,  I can only offer one of those elements, guess which one! Presentation and respect for the food we eat has raised its profile in my mind. Don't get me wrong, I have been brought up by parents whom, throughout my childhood and adult life, have always presented food, decorated tables, shown honour in one way or another to the glory of food, it's quality and its presentation. I have lived with neighbours who have and continue to draw together friends, family and guests around food, again always served with love, presented royally and always with a story. My brothers and I and our families all enjoy coming to the table, we recognise and respect good food that is presented well and cooked with love!

With all of that experience, I could present these dishes with no less grandeur. So that is my Day 4 reflection! Long but it is an interesting journey that I began ONLY three days ago, with a view to raise the profile and real struggle in only one area of a refugees life. The gift I have received is a real reflection on my life, my attitudes and my actions around food, the fact that it ought to be a right and instead I am feeling that food is a privilege and a gift that we don't truly recognise. It is definitely worth reflecting on.

Photo Below:
Breakfast Rice, lunch Rice & Chickpea Flatbreads and dinner Soup, Rice & maybe Flatbread - the chicken hot pot is for the family!!

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Take the Act for Peace Ration Challenge. Survive on the same rations as a Burmese refugee for one week and get sponsored to do it.

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Day 3 Act For Peace Syrian Refugee Ration Challenge

Oh boy! I woke at 3am with a blistering headache. I had to get up and have a a glass of water, but it didn't clear my headache! I did fall back to sleep but I was conscious of the dull ache in my head. I wondered if this is what a lack of sugar, protein and 'tea' does to you!?

I got up at 6:30am and the most striking feeling was that I didn't have the same light, positive feeling that I had on Day 2.

I knew I had to cook rice, prepare the soup for my meals today from the lentils, water and onion I had boiled the night before and I also had to prepare the mixture for the flat breads.

The rice was easy but when I looked at the liquid that was to be my soup for the day I thought, 'I cannot do this today!' I poured the soup into a bright pink container to take to work for lunch - I thought if the dish was bright and cheery my mood might lift too!!

I had rice and water for my breakfast because I couldn't face any more flatbread. I love toast with marmalade and tea in the morning for breakfast, I am missing that today.

Lunch was soup and rice, and my dinner was 20 chickpeas, rice and flatbreads.

I did enjoy my meals today, possibly because I ate at good times and I didn't have lots of rushing about to do. Were my meals any tastier? No they were not, but my headache only gave me a break just after I had some food, so I ate my food and enjoyed that my head stopped aching.

My main reflection of today is the fuzzy haze that seems to fill my forehead. My lack of hunger and my lack of interest in what I am eating. I wonder if the fuzziness and the feeling that I am in a daze with a constant lack of energy, is a condition a refugee might also experience - sadly I expect it is.

My thoughts are constantly brought to the large meals I usually preparation versus the meagre amounts I am allowed to have on this challenge. I have not used more than I am allowed nor have I left any food that I have prepared because it is tasteless. What I have learned is that I waste food and I over cook. I don't do it intentionally but I could do better.  When I do my shopping from now on,  I will be far more mindful I think, not only of what I buy but why I buy what I do.

Tonight's dinner.

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Day 2 on my Act For Peace Syrian Refugee Ration Challenge

I got up Monday morning far more refreshed than I thought I'd be. I was up about 6pm and instead of waiting for my toast and tea as is usual, I had flat breads, made from flour and water and salt to mix and  rice to cook. If I learn nothing else from this week I will appreciate how much harder it is preparing food everyday from scratch, when quantities really matter and excess is a luxury.

After my meal last night I didn't wake up hungry. This surprised me as it was just flat bread and rice. Today was busy and began with a show and tell of the rations I have for this week, a chat with the students at school about the 'why' behind this challenge for me.  I invited every family to share one simple meal together this week, making time to think about how fortunate their family is and I invited everyone to share the Refugee Prayer each day.

Today's food consisted of more rice for breakfast, flat breads and rice for lunch followed by 10 chickpeas, flatbread and rice for dinner. I avoided two lunches at two meetings - phew! But as my day was just back to back meetings by the time I got home at 9pm I had a not so pleasant experience with my final meal of the day!

I sat in my living room with a bowl of rice, chickpeas and flatbread and just ate it! I wasn't interested in the food, it was pretty tasteless, I didn't really want it but I knew I needed to eat it - so I did! This was a really disturbing feeling for me, because I love food, I enjoy the smell, the taste and the way food is presented.

I didn't want the food I had prepared from my rations - but this week is not about what I want.

I could only think about what it might be like to have to eat this type of food everyday, with very little variety, choice or taste. To be a mum preparing a meal everyday, knowing it was the best I could do but knowing it wasn't what I wanted to offer my family.

Day2 wasn't as bad as I expected, but it wasn't great either.
I wonder if any of our families here at St Vincent's have shared a meal and a conversation about food and its value this week?  I know Mrs Williams and Mrs Holles and the the Leaders of The Block schools did.

My meals today;
https://youtu.be/5uXXY8mMEnY

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Most people who know me are aware of my passion for all marginalized people. In particular I, like many, have a deep concern for the growing number of refugees, who live well below the poverty line.

During this week, Refugee Week, I will live on the same supplies a Syrian Refugee would be given in a refugee camp. When the box arrived I was really shocked that ALL MY FOOD for one week was inside!! You can see a picture of the box and the contents below.
Oil, lentils, chickpeas, kidneybeans, rice, flour and sardines. Because some of my friends and family have generously sponsored me, I have been able to add 117g of vegetables, 70g of meat, 50g of sugar and 8 teabags. I didn't think I cared about these extras when I made the decision to do this challenge but since I am now so very, very grateful.

Day One on the Act For Peace Challenge! I started slowly!! I think my system thought - starvation might be easier than trying to prepare anything with the ingredients at hand!! Offers to cook, recipes all the way from England, parents in the playground and friends added to the enormous amount of personal and monetary support, didn't do anything for my motivation yesterday!! I decided to fill the day with Mass, an RCIA baptism, confirmation and Eucharist, followed by a visit to the mock up classroom of St Patrick's Mortlake's NEW PRIMARY school - that was fun, awesome equipment, I want to go back to school! BUT as with all catholic events - yes there was FOOD! Avoid, avoid, avoid!

So on wards with the avoidance day!
I had a drop off to work for number one son, a drop in to work for me for 'stuff', on wards to an amazing talk by a suicide survivor - who is a physio, a trained suicide prevention worker, a firefighter and an author! Her first book titled - "On my brothers shoulders." I'm half way through it and whilst our lives are poles apart, Tara said on her arrival to Australia on 28th March 1995 - she had found her home! When I arrived in Australia 1st Dec 2009 I felt exactly the same. In March 1995 my first baby was born - that was another significant time in my life that I also shared with Tara and she had moved from London to Sydney too!!  I bought her book yesterday and it has been a great read so far!

Anyway the evening continued with Mass with my husband and the singing daughter and then home ....... Lamb shanks and mash for the gang ...... Me - flat breads and rice and my precious cuppa tea!

Plenty of water and bed! Day one done! Not really feeling like a refugee other than the notion of filling my day so I don't have to think about food. I wonder if a Syrian mum's brain ever stops wondering?