So with one week to go before I do my second ever Ration Challenge, here’s everything you need to know:

What is it?

I’m going to eat only refugee rations for 7 days. The base rations for 7 days for one person are:

• 1.92kg Rice
• 400g Flour
• 170g Red Lentils
• 85g Dried Chickpeas
• 1 x small tin Sardines
• 1 x 400g tin Kidney Beans
• 300ml Cooking oil

In addition to these rations, I have also raised enough money to “earn” some extra rations (similar to refugees who manage to earn a little extra money here and there), and I have a joined a team so I can share resources/spices much like real refugees and families would do. My additional rations are:

• Salt (unlimited)
• 1 x clove garlic
• 1 x 400g tin of tomatoes
• 210ml Milk
• 10 teabags
• 170g of any vegetable (I have chosen spring onions, same as last year)
• 120g of protein (I have chosen chorizo to make the flavour go further – last year I tried bacon)
• 6 x shared team spices (my team have chosen Turmeric, Cumin, Paprika, Stock cubes, Garlic Powder, and Chilli) – these are unlimited and make a HUGE difference!
• 50g Fruit (haven’t decided yet what this treat will be!) – this year I have inspired 2 other people to sign up and do it with me so this is a new reward for me
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 x hot or cold drink of my choice (up to 330ml)

I have a lot more “extras” this year thanks to my amazing supporters – I have so far raised $2,220 AUD!

Why do it?

I am doing it for several reasons. Firstly, all the money I raise will go to supporting refugees around the world, and there are more refugees than ever before who need our help and support.

Secondly, my work has always been humanitarian in nature, but in recent years due to a combination of COVID and becoming a mum, I don’t travel as much anymore, and I don’t work directly with people in crisis the way that I used to, This challenge gives me an opportunity to reconnect with the people that I want to support and help, and to do something both physical and challenging to re-commit myself to this important cause.

I did it for the first time last year and I found it a really powerful and moving experience and I am excited to do it again and challenge myself along the way! It’s not easy to give up wine and chocolate and cheese for a week, but it’s an opportunity to walk for a week in someone else’s shoes and to see how inventive and resilient refugees really are.

This year my 12-year old daughter wants to do it with me, so we have agreed she will do it for 2 days at the weekend, as she would find it too hard to manage at school, and is still a bit young to do the whole week. I am so proud of her for attempting this and wanting to engage with fundraising and helping others. She has already raised over $200 herself and is excited to have a go at it, even if it’s hard.

I’ll post my ration challenge diary next week so you can see how we get on!

And if you want to donate and support refugees here is the link:

https://actforpeace.rationchallenge.org.au/stephanie-roberson