$2 a day in East Anglia

Gemma Dietrich, 26, a student from the University of East Anglia will find out what it’s like to live on less than $2 a day in a bid to raise funds for SOS Children. She’ll be joined by over 30 students and Norwich locals who no doubt face a week being very hungry!

The ‘$2 a Day’ challenge will take place during the SOS Children's annual fundraising campaign World Orphan Week, 9-15 February, and will help provide orphaned and abandoned children worldwide with a new home and family for life.

The students aim to highlight the fact that almost half of the world’s population, more than 3 million people, live on less than $2 a day. Millions of children worldwide are orphaned by poverty every day. SOS Children currently cares directly for more than 70,000 orphaned and abandoned children in 473 unique SOS Children’s Villages in 123 countries around the world.

Gemma Dietrich, the organiser, says: “It has been my life ambition to help orphans and make sure they can have a loving home and an education. SOS Children is unlike any other charity I've come across. They make a difference to the lives of more than 70,000 children and I want to raise as much money as possible for them. The’ $2 A day Challenge’ is something a bit different from the usual sponsored event. It's really got people talking about poverty.. What I also love is that, unlike many charities, 100% of our donation goes directly to SOS Children's villages"

From 6pm on Sunday the 8th of February until 6pm on Friday the 13th of February, participants are challenged to live on $2 a day (approx £1.32) for five days. This money is to cover ALL food and drinks (but not rent/mortgage/bills).

Elizabeth Rodgers, of SOS Children said: “This challenge is unique because it allows people to not only experience what it is like to live in poverty and connect with the statistics, but at the same time directly raise funds for extremely needy children. All monies raised will help us build a new Children’s Village in the Zambia - one of Sub-Saharan’s poorest countries where 10% of the children are orphans.”

For more information on how to donate or get involved, visit www.tastepoverty.com.