Harnessing Student Potential In Microfinance

Day Four - UMW

Today's discussions were really good. I had a great time hearing about people's experiences as well as adding my own perspective to the conversation. We also were able to discuss the article about us in the Bullet. I thought at least half of what the writer said was accutate. She mentioned that we are just playing poverty and why don't we donate our money instead? Yes, it is playing poverty, but it is effective in the educational aspect of it as well as raising funds. I would not have the perspective I have now if I had not done Challenge Week. I got a minute glimpse into the lives of the poor that I will carry with me long after it's over. Not to mention we are fundraising for La Ceiba. Without us being on Ball Circle and having the table on Campus Walk, I don't think we would be able to fundraise as efficeintly. It's not just about raising awareness, it's about raising funds to actually do something and make a change. Also, I don't feel the writer of the article did enough research to make the assumptions she was making. Granter, it was an opinion article (I think). But even so, wouldn't you want to have an informed opinion? She didn't interview anybody doing the Challenge, and I feel that might have altered how she felt about it.

Also, for the first time since Monday. I'M FULL!!!! :D My friend and I made a meal with a sweet potato and a can of carrots. Then I had a peanut butter sandwich. It was almost too much! Just though I should mention that after my complaint's of hunger on yesterday's blog. Also, I've slept outside all three nights and it's starting to get to me a little. I feel kind of sluggish and tired from lack of sleep.

Today in Develoment Dr. H posed the question "Are people responsible for their own poverty" I think it's a really good question to consider and I want to hear what you guys think if you wouldn't mind commenting and telling me your opinion.

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Comment by Santiago Sueiro on April 7, 2011 at 11:23pm: Becky, I wouldnt go as far as even saying that half her article accurate. In fact I would point to one sentence in the WHOLE article which I can sympathize with: "Who really benefits when privileged college students elect to spend one week of the year challenging themselves to live off of $2 a day, just to see what it’s like?"

and she makes a good point because we have to question whether what we are doing is really worth doing? However, by questioning and criticizing ourselves we are able to answer these questions and give ourselves legitimacy. It is apparent that, as you point out, she makes many assumptions, she fails to mention La Ceiba and its effect on the poor and finally she leaves herself open to hypocrisy. I would also like to point out that not only was she unnecessarily combative and offensive but her writing is terrible.

Comment by Kaitlin Smart on April 7, 2011 at 10:32pm: I agree that the author of the Bullet article did not do enough research in order to make a well-formed opinion on what we are trying to do. I don't think that any of us walked onto Ball Circle Monday, thinking to themselves, "I'm ready to start this week, and mock poverty". Obviously, none of us were trying to do any such thing, even if it came across that way, and I would hope that no one would even think so badly of us. I do understand her opinion that, yes, we could have donated the ten dollars we used this week instead of "playing" poverty, but we also all got the chance to experience something we otherwise would not. I had a good time this week, and I just wish that the author would have come and interviewed a few of us to try to understand why we did what we did.

On Dr. H's question, I definitely think there are different levels to this. I think that there are people in this world who could be considered responsible for their own poverty, especially if they have the means to come out of poverty and get a job. On the other hand, there are absolutely people in this world who do not have the opportunities to get jobs and work their way up the economic ladder.