By Zoe Toseland Having now finished my week of JCI UK Pound a Day, it’ nice to be able to look back and reflect on how it went and why JCI members undertake the challenge every year. For those of you who don’t know the Pound a Day challenge is where Junior Chamber International (JCI) UK and wider community members spend a week living on just £1 a day, for food and drink. The challenge is designed to raise awareness of the rising poverty in the UK and abroad as well as raising money for Save the Children to help combat this.

My Experience of the Week

This was my first time taking part, so I approached the week both with excitement and a little trepidation. During the week I certainly found myself thinking about food much more than normal.  I also had noticeably less energy and was generally more tired than usual. If we’re honest I know at times I was a bit ‘hangry’ particularly for the first half of the week. So, sorry to those around me! I tried to make my meals as interesting and tasty as possibly but, by the end of the week it did get quite monotonous eating the same thing most days. However, it was also fantastic and really motivating to see everyone’s photos and posts of social media. It really helped to keep me going. It was fun to see the different things that people had managed to get on their budget, including their ‘whoopsie’ bargains.

Why we do it

The reality is, that for me and all those participating it was just one week, a bit of fun (or not at times), but for some people this is their everyday. It makes you realise the value of having a cupboard full of food and the privilege that most of us have with choosing what we eat – without constantly having to count pounds and pennies. In 2018, it’s heart-breaking to realise that despite progress, more than 790 million people worldwide still suffer from hunger. And shocking also that in Britain, more than 8 million people live in households that struggle to put enough food on the table. That’s why it’s inspiring that JCI UK members are helping to raise not only funds but also awareness of the issue. By taking part in the Pound a Day challenge we are together empowered to do our bit. I can honestly say I am looking forward to taking part again next year!