But, I always wondered about the efficacy of that lonely dollar. Compassion may be one of our greatest virtues, but manifesting it productively seems to be quite a challenge.
So for a day I tried to evaluate this potentially spurious catch phrase by living on a dollar a day.
First, let’s look at some of the cheapest Egyptian cuisine available in Garden City. Remember that my apartment is located in a “more rugged” part of town, and that the local shops are far from gourmet. A final note, this is not a MasterCard commercial nor am I trying to imitate Rachel Ray’s $40 a Day television series.
Breakfast – One croissant (1 LE, about $0.20). 1.5 liter bottle of water (2 LE, about $0.40)
Lunch – Provided by St. Andrews, usually a soup or stew and bread (we contribute 2 LE each day, about $0.40). Alternative is a ta’amiyya sandwich (falafel) for 1 LE.
Dinner – Koshari (3 LE, about $0.60).
Daily Total = 8 LE, or about $1.60.
A few further considerations. Although this is over $1, we can reduce the numbers to the absolute necessities. A 1.5 liter of water and a koshari (pasta, rice, lentils, and small amount of tomato sauce) will cost exactly 5 LE, or $1. This provides hydration, carbs, fiber, and small amount of protein.
Enough to live? Yes. But enough to live well with a wholesome, balanced diet? Certainly not. That hackneyed health pyramid looks pretty obsolete on this budget.
Despite my skepticism it definitely seems possible to live off a $1 a day. Not comfortably. But that isn’t the original claim.
This brief experience definitely puts the idea of sustenance into perspective. But I won’t claim to be more sagacious now, because throughout the day I knew that it was only temporary.
For too many people, my experiment is their reality.
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