Have you ever stopped to think how much you eat over the course of a week? Not sure? It’s safe to assume that you would’ve consumed more than 420 grams of rice, 170 grams of lentils, 85 grams of dried chick peas, a can of  sardines, a can of kidney beans and 300 millilitres of vegetable oil in that time. 

The list of food is not the latest in extreme diets; it represents the weekly rations of a Syrian refugee living in a camp in Jordan. 

As part of a fundraising and awareness raising initiative, UNE student Adrienne Lyons’ has accepted the Act for Peace Ration Challenge which runs during Refugee Week, 17-24 June – a week that includes both the end of Adrienne’s final exams and her birthday. Participants pledge to eat and drink the same as a Syrian refugee in Jordan for the week, using food packs distributed by non-profit organisation Act for Peace.

“It’s one thing to see the rations in photos, it was a whole other experience when I opened the box and realised exactly how little I had to work with when preparing my meals for the seven days,” Adrienne said after she shared a video of her rations for the week.

By eating the same rations as a refugee for one week, Adrienne is raising funds for food, medicine and education for Syrian refugees living in the camps in Jordan. 

“I think that you don’t need grand acts to help make a difference. All you need is the opportunity to support in any way that you can, and then you just need to choose to do it. Whether it’s in your own backyard, or out in the wider world, there are a lot of opportunities to support others and have a positive influence. If one week of my time, and the subsequent funds raised, can help to provide food, medicine and education for other people, and support other vulnerable communities around the world… well, why not?”

Adrienne is currently on day five of the Act for Peace Ration Challenge which ends Sunday. Click here should you want to donate to the cause: https://my.rationchallenge.org.au/adrienne-lyons