HOW TO Live on rations, raise money and awareness and show refugees we're with them, not against them - Ration Challenge
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YOUR RATION TOOLKIT
Date: June 16-23 2019
toolkit
HOW TO Live on rations,
raise money and awareness
and show refugees we’re
Church World Service is a faith-based
organization transforming communities
around the globe through just and
sustainable responses to hunger, poverty,
with them, not against them.
displacement and disaster.
Charity Registration Number: 13-4080201
Karen McGrath / Ration Challenge
change
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
starts here!
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
Welcome! It’s great to have you as part of the Ration Challenge global community - we are so excited
to be launching the U.S. Challenge in support of CWS. You’re joining tens of thousands of dedicated
people around the world, living on refugee rations for one week to raise money and awareness for
communities threatened by conflict and disaster.
During the week of World Refugee Day, June 16-23, you’ll eat the same food as a Syrian refugee living in
a camp in Jordan. That means just a small amount of rice, lentils, chickpeas, beans, fish and oil. That’s
it! By taking this Challenge you’re helping to provide refugee families in camps abroad and resettled
here at home with the support they need to rebuild their lives. You’re showing them that they’re not
CHANGE LIVES
LIVE ON RATIONS
alone.
And you’re showing, despite what some politicians and media say, that Americans from all walks of
life are generous and compassionate. That we care about protecting vulnerable refugee families and are
prepared to do what it takes to help others in their time of need.
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Thank you for being part of this people-powered movement for change.
CHANGE LIVES
THE SMALL PRINT
Lilia and her family
fled Syria when
their town was bom
bed. Now thanks to
Thank you for being part of
the Ration Challenge
community they a global movement committed
have started rebuil
ding their lives to building a better future
in Jordan.
for communities impacted by
conflict and disaster.
C on t en t s
For one week, you’ll get an insight
into one aspect of the daily
struggle that refugees face – living
on rations. You’ll be creating
MAKING AN IMPACt empathy for refugees around the
How to make the biggest impact 14 world who are toughing it out, and
Showing refugees we’re with them, showing that you’re with them,
Fundraising hacks 16 not against them.
not against them
Team up 18
In this booklet (and the online
Get Started Growing empathy 22
Cha llenge
resources mentioned inside) you’ll
Quick-start guide 4 Sharing your experience 24 find the low-down on the rations,
Jess Xav ier / Rat ion
rewards, recipes and everything else
The Ration Challenge story 6
Seeing the difference you need to know to make the biggest
Your rations 10 difference you can.
Changing lives in Jordan 26
Rules and rewards 12 Good luck!
Changing lives around the world 28
Say cheese! 30
FAQs 34
2 CWS ration challenge 2019 3
Quick-start Guide Raise money and awareness
3
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
> Earn as many rewards as you can before the Challenge starts (see pages 13)
> Talk to your employer about dollar matching - where your employer matches every
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
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dollar you raise
> Follow our fundraising hacks to maximize your impact (pages 16/17)
1 Start strong! > Create empathy and change attitudes by using our guide on how to have
tough conversations and engage in discussion (pages 22/23)
n Chal lenge
You’ve signed up and received your food ration pack and this > Raise awareness for this important issue by sharing your experience
Karen McG rath / Ratio
Ration Challenge guide – great work! Take these next steps to with those around you (see pages 24/25)
start the Challenge strong and set yourself up for success:
>F
inalize your fundraising page support of the
Ration
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CHANGE LIVES
Thanks to the a is able to
unity Am en
(add a photo and edit your page text) Challenge comm of the
getables as part
4 Eat rations
grow her own ve
ens program.
> S ponsor yourself community gard
>T
ake a photo with your ration pack right now! Post it
on social media and tell people why you’re taking this
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> Eat and drink the same as a Syrian refugee living
Challenge. Don’t forget to use #RationChallenge
in a camp in Jordan
(see more tips on pages 14 and 16) CW S
> Use the Ration Challenge recipe book for your meal
> S end your first round of personalized messages to people you planning and check out the Ration Challenge USA
think will definitely say yes. You’ll earn a teabag for
Facebook group to connect with others and
every 5 people you ask individually! (see rewards on pages 12/13) “It was psychologically and
share ideas
emotionally challenging to go
> Share your experience far and wide - Facebook through the week. I did a diary on
Team up
Facebook, posting about what I was
2 Live videos, Instagram photos, blogs, you name it! eating every day. I think that’s
important because I had people
saying they had no idea what it was
like. They showed compassion toward
> Start a team and invite friends, family members the plight of refugees after seeing
5 Change lives
what I had posted.” - Anna
or colleagues to take the Challenge with you “As a f
ormer
fortun refuge
ate th e, I fe
> Earn extra rewards by hitting team goals (see pages 18/19) take p
art in
at I can el ver
now ch
y
a plac the Ra o os e t o
e of se tion C
> Cook together and support each other through the Challenge being
in thi
curity
becaus
hallen
e
ge from > The money you raise will give life-changing support to
s situat I re m e
food w
was de
as onl
y one
ion be
fore, w
mber
conflict- and disaster-affected communities worldwide
a l i ng of the man h ere
with t y issu
o surv
ive.” H
abteab
es I
>B
y sharing your experience with those around you,
you’ll be opening people’s eyes, hearts and minds
to what refugees go through; creating a more
compassionate world
>W
hen Ration Challenge week is over, stay connected
with the community and continue to take action
enge
y / Ra tion Chall
Mi tchel Loveda
Ben Li ttlejoh
n / Ra tion Ch
al lenge
4 CWS ration challenge 2019 5
hurch of Sweden
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
Ration
Ma gnu s Aronson/C
Than proudly showing his crop
in Mae Ben Litt lejohn
/ Act for Pea ce
La refugee camp, thanks to our
local
partner’s farming program.
The story
C h a l l e n g e
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
A little over five years ago we, Ration Challenge founders, Walking away from Than and his family that
were on a field trip to Mae La refugee camp on the Thai- day was a humbling reminder of just how good
Burma border to meet Burmese refugee families who had fled we had it in Australia. Than was a loving father and a resourceful farmer -
S t o ry
conflict. We met a young father named Than, who sat with us no different from either of us. We couldn’t get the image of his family’s
for hours. Than told us how he had to flee his village as it was entire month of rations out of our minds. It felt so unjust.
burned to the ground by the Burmese army. He showed us the
It made us wonder what it would be like to live on those rations ourselves.
meager food rations his family had to survive on in the camp.
So when we got back home we decided try it - to live on rations for a week
And he described to us how it felt to go to bed hungry s for Than and
One month’s ration
and share our experience with those around us - and it was then, in 2014,
each night. his family of four.
The power of that the Ration Challenge was born.
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sharing a message
Eating rations for a week was a conversation starter.
It helped our friends, families and the people around
YOU are at the heart
of this community A Gr o w in g G l o b a l M o v e m e n t
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THE SMALL PRINT
us appreciate that refugees around the world need No action has been too small. From Facebook Live
our support. It let our government know that this is videos and Instagram stories to office takeovers, and
an issue our citizens care about, and that they need to from photography exhibitions to community events
pay attention. And it showed refugees that we are with – every year our Ration Challengers have amazed us
them, not against them. with new ways you are showing refugees that we stand Two people sparked an idea, 100 8,000 Ration Challengers raised
with them. dedicated people got behind it more than $1.5 million. The word
Since that first year, the Ration Challenge community, and raised more than $40,000 was spreading - people took part
and the impact we are making together, has grown There is no Ration Challenge without you. Every year the – enough to feed 255 refugees from all over the world including the
and grown. The thousands of conversations we have community grows because you are raising awareness, for an entire year. The Ration UK, USA, New Zealand, Germany,
had, the millions of emails and social media posts, telling your friends and inspiring more people to get Challenge was born. Belgium and India.
and countless small acts we’ve taken to highlight involved. And we’re super excited that the Ration
the issue have all helped raise awareness and create Challenge has launched in the United States this year.
empathy for refugees globally. And the millions of Thank you for being part of this movement for change More than 1,600 people took
dollars we have raised together has made an incredible and for your incredible commitment to communities the Challenge from all across
practical difference to conflict-and-disaster-affected around the world. Australia and raised $322,000.
communities around the world.
Now let’s do this!
Karen McGrath / Ration Challenge
Kaz McGrath and Ben Littlejohn
Ration Challenge Co-Founders Jess Xavier / Ration Challenge
Jess Xavier / Ration Challenge
th / Ra
tion Ch
al leng
e
The momentum of this community
McG ra
Ka ren
is continuing to grow and grow.
Dedicated people from across
The movement was making noise the world have been asking to
in Australia. $2.3 million raised by 2018 was a big one - we partnered get involved and take action, so
With
your
support
15,000 Challengers. By raising their with our Kiwi friends, Oxfam New this year we’ve partnered with
familie
agricul
s at ri
sk of forc
Central
America
voices far and wide, they reached Zealand and more than 7,000 Kiwis Concern Worldwide in the UK
tural ed migr n
grow t trainin ation r
eceive more than 23 million people online! signed up to take part, raising and CWS in the USA to officially
heir o g a n d
livelih wn foo a s sistanc Talk about people power. an incredible $442,000. We also launch the challenge in the United
oo ds . d a nd e to
sustain
their
a by walk
ing launched into Australian schools, Kingdom and the United States,
ol ence in Syri ada
Thanks to the Ration Challenge commu
nity,
After esca
pi ng vi
rkness, M ay with more than 2,000 dedicated giving people a chance to make a
rd an border in da ttled
Lilia’s three sons in a refugee camp on
the
across the
Jo tually re se
outskirts of Amman, Jordan were provi students showing just how much difference globally.
fa mi ly were even ju st two ded
and he r In they care!
CWS Je rsey City. co ok
with emergency food and clothing to keep
by mplished
to the U.S. no w an acco them fed and warm during the toughest
a is
6 CWS years, May
ad
. winter months. ration challenge 2019 7
hed author
and publis
Ben Littlejohn / Ration Challenge
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
LIVE ON RATIONS
LIVE ON RATIONS
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
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h a llen y w ere fi
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of a i ul d C th e t h u
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n e in oo h
eiv ed a ram an t t o e fi r st tim ny bamb anged,
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hat
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Five year tha t h o f p n o t yet r M c Gr a
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a re h
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h ave th
we
8 CWS ration challenge 2019 9
Joel Pratley/Act for Peace
Only a glimpse
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
of refugee life
Your
Ration Chal lenge
We’ve designed the Ration Challenge to reflect, as closely as
-
n Jordan we can, what it’s like to eat rations as a Syrian refugee in
o n t h e ground i i n gs
r work ng train Jordan. However, for most, living on rations is just one part
Most of ou nd r u n n i
Jackson Galla gher /
s a
Rations
n
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
io r e
ting rat s, who a of being a refugee. People may be struggling to cope with the
distribu olunteer
on e by caring v u ring ratio
n
- is d e m selves. D trauma of what they’ve experienced. They may not know where
uge es t h ria n
often ref oung Sy
team of y ribute their family is, or whether they’re even alive. Most people
i strib u tions, a u nt a rily dist
d e d) v ol time. won’t know how long they’ll be stuck living like this, and
(pictu r acks at a The rations!
refugees 0 fo o d ration p
n 2,5 0 will wonder whether they’ll ever get to go home. In many cases,
more tha
refugees have no choice but to share rations as there are
simply not enough to go around. This is why the money you raise
What’s it like living on rations? You’re about to find out. is so important.
Your ration pack contains the same rations, in the same quantities, that Ration Challenge
distributes to Syrian refugees through its program in Jordan.
e
Taking part in the Ration Challenge doesn’t give us any
Chal leng
understanding of what these other things feel like. But this
/ Ra tion
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small act of solidarity does give us a deeper understanding
Loveday
of their struggle, and will help create more empathy and
understanding at home through the conversations you have when
Mitchel
1. food rations people ask you about the Challenge.
The main difference is that while you have a week’s supply for one person,
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
the real ration packs contain a month’s supply for a family of six. Because we
couldn’t chop cans in half you’ve just got sardines (family ration packs have Vegetarian or vegan? Have a food allergy?
cans of both tuna and sardines). And for that same reason, you’ve got twice as
many kidney beans as refugees get (you’ll be glad of that by day four!). If you are a vegetarian, vegan or someone with
a food allergy, you can swap out any items
The other big difference is that there isn’t enough money to give ration packs to you don’t eat for alternative ingredients. For
everyone who needs them. Sometimes we can only provide 100 packs in a camp example, swap out sardines for tofu.
that needs thousands. Packs get shared, and many go without (committees
of volunteer refugees help to identify the people in their community most Joel Pratley / Ration Challenge
in need, and priority is given to them). It’s why the money you raise is so
important. And it’s why you are missing a few other ingredients that go in
The cost of living in Jor
the real ration packs - most refugees don’t get a full pack. You don’t have milk high, but Leyla and her
dan is
e
Chal leng
family have
powder, teabags, stock cubes, canned tomatoes or sugar, but you can earn sought safety here.
these ingredients by reaching your fundraising targets.
R at ion
atley /
2. Coupons
Joel Pr
Food item Quantity
Rice
Lentils
15oz
6oz Your rations for on In your ration pack, you’ll also find two
3. Earned ingredients (Rewards)
e week. food coupons for additional rice and
Dried chickpeas 3oz
flour. They are representative of the Refugees are resourceful people and they do their best to find
Canned sardines 3.75oz
coupons many refugees are given by the ways to provide for their families, through informal work,
Canned kidney beans 15.5oz UN or other organisations that can be trading items and selling handicrafts. To recreate this, you
Ben Littlejohn / Ration
Challenge
Vegetable oil 12oz exchanged in local shops for essential can ‘earn’ extra ingredients by reaching fundraising goals.
staple foods, such as rice and flour. For example, if you raise $400 you can add 6oz of veggies to
your rations. See page 13 for the full list of rewards.
To recreate your refugee experience,
buy an additional 3lb 3oz of rice and The contents of the box, what the enclosed coupons can ‘buy’,
14oz of plain flour and add these to plus any ingredients you’ve ‘earned’, and drinking water,
your week’s rations. Tip: don’t try to are all you’ll have to live on for the week of the Challenge.
use your coupons at the grocery store, Remember, without rewards it means no salt, pepper, spices,
they won’t work ;-) meat, coffee or alcohol!
A full ration pack
for a
family of six for a
month.
10 CWS ration challenge 2019 11
Fundraising to earn re wards
Rules and Rewards
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
Refugees are resourceful people who do their best to find ways to provide for
their families. This is made harder by the tight work restrictions they face in
places such as Jordan. However, some refugees are able to find ways to support
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
their families through informal work, trading items and selling handicrafts.
The rules This is why we have designed a rewards system, where you can “earn” rewards
when you hit fundraising targets, much like when refugees manage to trade
or work to source more food for their families. In essence, the more you raise,
The Ration Challenge works on an honesty policy, so the more you eat! Hit the following goals, and earn these much-needed rewards.
it’s up to you – and your conscience – to see it
through properly. By signing up, you’ve committed to:
Eating only the contents of the ration pack (plus the Self-sponsor - Spice
1 Sponsor yourself to earn a spice
additional rice and flour bought with the coupons) and
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drinking only water for the 7-day duration of the Challenge – Choose a single spice of your choice for the whole week. You NOTE: These rewards are
can enjoy an unlimited quantity. Only singular spices are to be
unless you’ve ‘earned’ other ingredients by working hard optional and you will need to
used (for example, cumin) rather than a mixed spice grinder.
on your fundraising. source them yourself. Not all
refugees are able to find ways to
Spread The word - Teabags bring in extra income and, if you
Doing your best to raise a minimum of $450 by June 30 (if
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
2 Earn 1 teabag every time you ask 5 or more people to sponsor you prefer, you can live on the basic
this sounds scary, don’t worry – last year people in Australia These should be individual messages (not in a group message) via rations alone.
and New Zealand raised an average of $420 each! Follow our email, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp or by directly tagging them
fundraising tips and you’ll be there in no time). in a Facebook post.
$200 - Salt
3 Keeping yourself healthy while you take the Ration Challenge
Raise $200 to earn salt
and fundraising within the law are both incredibly important.
You can enjoy unlimited salt for the entire week.
Make sure you read our terms and conditions thoroughly to
keep safe and legal during the Challenge. You can find these
at rationchallengeusa.org/terms-and-conditions/ $400 - Vegetable
Raise $400 to earn one vegetable of your choice weighing up to 6oz
This can be any one vegetable and does not include the choice of
More questions? Check out the FAQs at rationchallengeusa.org/faqs
two items. For example 6oz of spinach or 6oz of pepper.
$600 - Protein
Raise $600 to earn 4oz of protein to enjoy during the Challenge
This can be your choice of any protein, for example an egg or piece “I’ve done the Ration Challenge twice now and
of meat. It must be weighed uncooked. the second time around I had earned three
rewards before the Challenge started. It made
a huge difference when my cravings kicked in
$800 - hot or cold drink on day three. I made rice pudding and it was
Raise $800 to earn a hot or cold drink (12oz)
absolute heaven!” - Tim
Choose any drink (barista coffee, a glass of wine, soft drink etc. )
and enjoy 12oz.
Looking for ideas on which
rewards to choose or how to
$1,000 - Bonus item make the most of your rations?
Raise $1,000 to earn one bonus item of your choice up to the value of $3 Check out the Ration Challeng
e
You may choose one item of food, for example a chocolate bar. You may USA Facebook group to share
tips with fellow Challengers.
not choose an item that includes in it multiple components, like a package
Got a question? Want to know
of cookies. the exact definition of a spic
e?
Check out the FAQs on the
$2,000 - gift Ration Challenge website.
Earn a special thank you gift made by refugee women from the
Mitchel Loveday / Ration Challenge
Ration Challenge women’s business program in Jordan.
12 CWS ration challenge 2019 13
a k e t he
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
Ho w t o m
B i g ge s t im p a c t
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
3. grow empathy: talk about what
we Have in common
Research shows that most anti-refugee sentiment
stems from a fear of ‘the other.’ It also shows that
We are often asked by Ration Challengers how you can make the biggest difference.
most people are fundamentally caring. By talking
The answer we give is simple: follow these tried and tested tips to raise the most about the things and values we have in common
money and awareness that you possibly can! with refugees - like wanting the best for our
families - not the things that make us different,
The Ration Challenge team have spoken to top past fundraisers, listened to feedback we can help create a more compassionate society.
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CHANGE LIVES
and sorted through thousands of posts, videos and blogs to reveal what really works Check out our tips to help you change minds on
- and why. pages 22/23.
1. Use our fundraising hacks
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What works? What doesn’t? Why isn’t anyone
seeing my posts? We’ve included a list of
fundraising hacks on the next page, courtesy of
our amazing past Ration Challenge participants
and our team of digital experts.
4. SHare your experience
2. Start or join a team
The more you share your experience, both on and
Two Challengers are better than one! It’s twice offline, the more people you will reach and the
the impact and much more rewarding. Share the bigger the impact you will make. Simple. But it’s
cooking, share your rations (and rewards) and not always easy to know what to say or how to
support each other through the tough times – the say it. So we’ve put together some easy to use tips
Ration Challenge is perfect for a team. You can for writing posts online and dealing with those
also boost your fundraising by holding a Ration frustrating trolls (or family members!) who might
Challenge dinner. See pages 18/19. have different opinions. See pages 24/25.
“I was confident that people would come
on board and sponsor me, but I have
5. Say thank you properly
been blown away by the generous size
of the donations I have received. I just
can’t believe how much we have raised
together, and it just gives me a lot of The Ration Challenge makes a difference because
encouragement going into the Challenge of the generosity of our family, friends, colleagues
week, knowing that this is a cause that
and others. So it’s important to thank everyone
so many people care about also.”
- Grainne
who donates to you. But saying thank you is
also a great opportunity to connect them to the
difference they’re making by sharing stories of
people around the world that they are helping to
support - and it might just prompt them to get
even more involved in the cause in the future.
C WS
14 CWS ration challenge 2019 15
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
Fundraising hacks
4. Show your gratitude
“I thanked everyone who gave me a donation by
posting a personalized ‘meme’ on their Facebook
bonus
wall. After a while, everyone wanted to get their
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
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own ‘meme’ and donations came pouring in! It
was a unique way to say thanks and give them For every five people you send
We brought together some of the most successful
something in return.” an individual message asking
Ration Challenge participants from last year
them to sponsor you, you
If only I had Known that...
and asked them to share their tried and tested Why it works: Saying thank you makes people feel
will earn one teabag to use
fundraising tips. This is what they had to say and appreciated. It also gives you a way to publicly ask for
more support and give back to those who generously during Challenge week (See
why their tips work so well!
support the cause. page 10/11 for more detail).
Remember, group messages
don’t count!
1. be personal
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“I asked everyone to donate to me via a personal
email or via a WhatsApp or Facebook message.
I found it was way more effective than sending a
group message as it meant they felt the need to
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respond and donate. Group messages were a great
way to send a reminder to everyone and thank
those people who had already donated, giving
others a friendly push.”
Why it works: People respond to one-on-one messages
(especially if in person) far more often than a group
message.
2. Tell people about your 5. Put your rations on display
experience by sharing frequent “I put my Ration Challenge box in the workplace
updates (including video) where everyone could see it. Colleagues were really
curious to look inside and would come over to ask
“During the Ration Challenge week, I made two
3. REMIND REMIND REMIND! me questions.” 6. Talk to your employer
Facebook Live videos daily. I would talk about what
my dinner looked like and reflect on how tough it
about dollar matching
“I asked my friends, and then asked them again, Why it works: Sparking curiosity (and conversation)
was (especially on the night I spilt all my rations).
and then again… I would frame the email as serves as a constant reminder to donate. Taking your “I was really surprised when I mentioned dollar
I would then tag people who were watching,
an update, but it was just an excuse to keep rations along in a Tupperware to dinner or breakfast matching to my boss and she told me this was
asking them to help out - ‘Matt, remember you
reminding. I kept a record of who had donated and with friends can also bring it home to people too - and something the business had done in the past to
said at work you’d help out by donating?!’ I would
only then would they come off my list. I also set is sure to secure you a few extra donations! support employees’ fundraising efforts. It was a
also give sincere shoutouts to everyone who
reminders for myself (we’re all busy) each week to quick conversation and you really have nothing
donated by thanking them in the video. I made
send out another Facebook post or email.” to lose!”
it very personal and people were able to see my
experience in real time.” Why it works: Many employers match every dollar
Why it works: Giving people a reminder is essential.
People lead busy lives and will likely forget if you your friends donate, doubling your impact!
Why it works: Facebook Live videos are seen by more
than six times the amount of people than a normal don’t. If it were the other way around, we’re sure you’d
video. By sharing frequently and authentically (live) appreciate a reminder to sponsor a friend.
you’ll reach far more people.
16 CWS ration challenge 2019 17
team up
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
The more people that take the Challenge, the bigger
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
the difference we’ll make. And by joining a team,
Team rewards
you’ll share the experience and motivate one another
when the going gets tough. Share the cooking, share C WS
fundraising tips, support each other and reflect on
why taking part is so important in raising funds and
Team of Four or More - Fruit (5 )
awareness for refugees.
1 Create or join a team of four or more AND send the Ration
Ben Litt lejohn / Challenge team a photo of you all together with your ration
1
Ra tion Challeng
rewards! When you create a team you’ll each earn e
packs to each earn a piece of fruit weighing up to 5oz.
extra rewards.
Fundraising Event - Milk (7 )
2
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
2 Share rations and rewards. When you’re in a team you Host a fundraising event with your team, such as a Ration
can pool your rations and share your rewards. Many refugee Challenge dinner or trivia night, to each earn 7oz of milk.
families share rations and they often swap with other families
Team Video - Sugar (2 )
depending on their weekly needs.
3 Create a video with your teammates telling your friends and
3 Share the cooking just like a refugee family.
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
family why you’re taking the Challenge. Share it far and wide!
Top Tip: If you’re cooking together, don’t forget to bring your
Don’t forget to tag #RationChallenge @churchworldservice
own rations along – or your host will be going hungry for the
(Facebook) or @CWS_Global (Twitter/Instagram) OR email
rest of the week!
info@cwsglobal.org a copy so we know you’ve earned
Joel Pratley / Ration Chal lenge
4 Motivate each other through the hard times.
When the going gets tough, there is no better motivator than
your reward!
people beside you going through the same experience.
Ben Littlejohn / Ration Chal
lenge
How to create a team
1 Register yourself for the Challenge
“Hosting a Ration Challenge dinner
was such a fun and valuable
2 Ask your friends to register
experience for our team as well as
(every team member needs their own page)
our friends and family. They were
3
Host a refugee dinner
reate your team by clicking “Create Team”
C able to share our Ration Challenge
when logged into the Ration Challenge website experience with us and get a small
taste of what it was like living off
4 hare your team name and page link
S
with your friends
“Being in a team with my colleagues
gave me a lot of support and I
on World Refugee Day rations. We raised nearly $300 on
the night which was a great
probably wouldn’t have been able to To boost your fundraising and raise awareness for refugees we
morale boost!”
5 Ask them to click “Join Team”
last the week if I didn’t have that. encourage you to host a team dinner on World Refugee Day (June
20) OR before the Challenge starts to celebrate Eid! Invite your Jake
We shared meals, we shared recipe friends and family along for a meal of refugee rations so they can
That’s it. Now you’re all set to edit ideas. We did a bit of a spice trade. It get a small taste of what you are doing, or if you’re dining before
your team page, view your team was really good being in a team and the Challenge starts, share some traditional Syrian food. Ask them
totals and check out your team’s to make a donation on your fundraising page and ask the group
having that support.”
leaderboard to see who is on top. questions about refugee issues to encourage healthy discussion.
Jess, Sydney
18 CWS ration challenge 2019 19GET STARTED
GET STARTED
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
There’s always time for play! Two young Syrian children race
through the small alleyways after a food ration distribution in a
refugee camp outside of Amman, Jordan.
Mitchel Loveday / Ration Challenge
20 CWS ration challenge 2019 21Joel Pratley / Ration Challenge
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
Growing
Empathy Three arguments to avoid
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
Try not to lead with facts, figures or cost
1 savings, unless you are directly responding
Sometimes it seems like whenever you turn on the news, you’re faced with to a question. People reject inconvenient facts
division rather than conversation. We need to create a more compassionate that don’t match their worldview, and will
society - but that’s no easy task. How many times have conversations then reject everything else you say too.
descended into arguments that only end up making people retreat into
Don’t reference ‘Americans’ but instead ‘us/
their beliefs even more?
2 we/people’. Tap into our shared humanity
Research shows that most anti-refugee sentiment stems from a fear of ‘the and values.
other.’ And we know how easily fear can be twisted into hatred and anger.
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
Don’t talk about what people have come from give Syrian
The good news is that research also shows that most people are 3 – talk more about what they have come for. For
Informal classes
kids the ch ance to keep up with
fundamentally caring. And by talking about the things and values we have example, mention that refugees are “seeking their schooling,
socialize and
in common with refugees - like wanting the best for our families - we can skills.
safety and to rebuild their lives” rather than learn vital life
help create a more tolerant and compassionate society. “fleeing persecution, torture and violence.” Pa ul Je ffrey
Our friends at the leading Australian agency “Asylum Seeker Resource
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
Centre” have commissioned in-depth research with over 1,500 people to
identify the messages and arguments that influence people - and those
that don’t. They’re called ‘words that work’ and we’ve shared some of them
here. Read on to find out how to have discussions about refugees and people
seeking asylum that persuade, rather than polarize. Responding to the most common arguments
“Why would we support refugees instead of people
in our communities facing homelessness, the elderly,
veterans or people with disabilities?”
Refug
e e ch
who a ildre
It’s not an either/or issue: we can support both. r e ba n liv
i ng i
have rr e d n Ca i
from
3 great ways to talk
acces p ro
than s to qu ublic
ks t o ality schoo
There are no limits to human compassion. StAR the C e ducati ls
to others about S sch WS-su on
ools. pport
ed
the refugee crisis We can agree that all these groups need our support.
“Refugees are a drain on our economy.”
1 Lead with things we all have
in common: shared values
Karen McGra th / Ration Challenge
such as family, freedom and elping refugees is the right thing to do. We have a
H
fairness, and treating others as moral obligation to support them.
you’d want to be treated.
Refugees contribute to the economy, pay taxes, start
Offer positive solutions and businesses and create jobs making our communities
2 statements, for example: more prosperous and strong.
“Together we can create a fairer
ge
/ Ra tion Challen
world.” Effective messages are two Mi tchel Loved ay On average, refugees quickly contribute more than
parts solution to one part problem. they receive in benefits.
Build your argument on a two “Refugees are a security threat and accepting them
grandson are
3 foundation of shared rights
Anjy and her
of ten people
that we re able
increases the risk of a terrorist attack.”
Thanks to the support of the Ration
Challenge community Syrian families
a
and beliefs. For example: “All people os s the border from Syri have been able to build community
to cr no w
ere they are
have the right to live in peace.” to Jordan wh Refugees are people just like you - moms, dads and gardens, helping supplement their basic
ce ss ration packs. rations with nutritious vegetables.
able to ac kids - who just want to find safety to rebuild their lives.
22 CWS ration challenge 2019 23Ben L itt
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
lejo
Sharing Your
hn /Ac
t for P
e a ce
How to deal with trolls
experience
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
Sharing your posts publicly helps an important message to reach more people,
The more you share your experience, both on but at times good work can attract negative attention. Avoid the nasty impact
and offline, the more people you will reach and of trolls with the following suggestions:
the bigger the impact you will make. Simple. But
it’s not always easy to know what to say or how
to say it. Follow our tips below for creating posts, 1 To delete or not to delete?
dealing with trolls and getting your message seen Deleting a post can result in people thinking you may not
far and wide. respect their right to have a voice on the matter. If the post
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
is offensive and rude, of course we would agree to delete it,
but we would encourage you not to delete posts that promote
> Share with people WHY the issue matters to you, healthy debate.
and how your experience is affecting you emotionally.
People who you know will connect with what you’re
feeling and be brought closer to the cause.
2 Don’t get angry or abusive yourself.
If you choose to reply, getting defensive or angry might
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
undermine your moral position and encourage trolls to keep
> Use humor. It puts people at ease, it’s relatable and trolling you. Use our guide to messages that work on the
makes people more open to what you have to say previous page.
(especially if you can make them laugh).
3 Diffuse with humor.
> A picture paints a thousand words. Make your posts It might not always be appropriate (particularly if the
as visual as possible by sharing photos, videos and if message is offensive to the communities we are supporting)
you can, by doing a Facebook Live video to get your but if you think you can make light of the comment, subtle
post seen by more people. humor may be a good strategy to decrease the heat
and tension.
Report, block and ban.
> Make your posts public and ask your friends to
share them.
4 Finally, and most importantly, if you feel at all threatened or
unsafe by a message or comment, report the post to Facebook
> Tag #RationChallenge and @churchworldservice immediately (or to the police if required).
(Facebook) or @CWS_Global (Twitter/Instagram) in
all of your posts.
> Share content we’ve created for you (take the
legwork out of fundraising). We’ll send this to you
throughout the Challenge.
> Cross–post on as many channels as possible
(Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, email…
you name it!)
> Share the blow-by-blow account of your
experience. It may seem uninteresting to you but it
gives people a real understanding of what it must
be like. Hungry? Share. Spilled your rations? Share.
Grumpy at work? Share.
24 CWS ration challenge 2019 25Changing
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
The difference you’ll be making
meet Omar
Lives in
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
The funds you raise will provide food, healthcare and
education to Syrian refugees in Jordan. You’ll also be
supporting refugees rebuilding their lives in the
Jordan
United States and displaced people around the world.
e
n Chal leng
By taking the Ration Challenge, you’ll be supporting
ohn / Ra tio
men, women and children fleeing violence and
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
Ben Li ttlej
conflict in Syria as well as other communities
impacted by conflict and disaster around the world.
People like Omar.
$390 – Food rations
The money you raise will support individuals and Karen McGrath / Ration Challenge For two Syrian refugees for an entire year,
families through food, healthcare and education. ensuring they have enough to eat.
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
(The same food you’ll be eating during
It will also enable refugees to get much needed Omar’s family has been supported
the Challenge.)
counseling and support to help them deal with the with food rations since they fled
trauma they’ve been through and begin to rebuild Syria in 2012.
their lives. $476 – Ten infant hygiene par
cels
Including soap, diapers and toothbru
shes
doctor help to keep families healthy.
is to b ecome a
“My dre
am y of
ple. Man
t sick peo or
and to tre a ere urt
h
a nd family w
my frien
d s I wa to
n t Omar is eleven and has two brothers and three
e war and
killed du
r in g th t have to sisters. They’ve lived together in a refugee
le s o they do no camp just outside of Amman for the past seven
peo p
care for d ” - Om
ar
hat I face years since fleeing their home in Syria.
face w
Richa rd Wa inw
Omar’s memories of the war breaking out are right
$483 – Girls
vague, but he clearly remembers the intense ’ education
Girls can lear
feeling of fear. His family fled Syria together, n empowerm
their confidenc ent skills, impr
a journey that risked all of their lives and left e, and learn th ove
their educatio e value of
them without many possessions. Despite all n.
that they lost, Omar told us how grateful he
and his family are that they did not lose one
another.
Omar attends one of the camp’s education
forums. Thanks to you, he is able to continue
ining
learning, get an education and build a life for $804 – Livelihoods tra
himself in the future. ref ug ee women how to start
Teach vulnerable
they can support their
their own business so
ndence.
family and gain indepe
g
best friend durin
Joel Pratley / Ration Challenge Omar with his ou t vital
they learn ab
class in which tice
ntinue to prac
life skills and co
g and math. $2,412 – Life-sav ing medical
reading, writin care
For 250 people, enabling them to
access
life-saving specialist care.
26 CWS ration challenge 2019 27Changing Lives
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
Around the world
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
Credit: Pau l Jeff rey to
Rwanda, learned how
Evanis, a refugee from ettled
time after being res
ride a bike for the first
ina.
to Durham, North Carol
United states Serbia Kenya
Supporting refugee families with vital Welcoming migrants and refugees Providing English language
By taking the Ration Challenge you’ll also be supporting refugees and services and resources to achieve with hot tea, a meal and a space programming to refugees living
displaced communities around the world through Church World Service. security, stability, and a bright future to recharge. Continuing to support in camps to expand their work
From the 1940s to the present day, CWS has worked across the United for their children. them with language classes and opportunities and prepare them
States, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America to support other services. for resettlement.
those most in need, and has helped more than million refugees find safety
in the United States.
28 CWS ration challenge 2019 29Karen McGrath / Ration Challenge
GET STARTED
GET STARTED
“When I first arrived into Jordan our family had very little. I had to
try and find another way to support my family and my children to go to
school. I had been taught how to make cheese back in Syria so I thought
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
that I could try and make a business out of my skill by selling a small
amount to friends and family.”
With the support of the Ration Challenge community, Farah and her family received
vital food rations, which enabled her to put just a small amount of money aside to buy
the ingredients needed to make cheese and pursue her business idea. After that her
business kicked off.
“For months and months I put just a small amount of money aside to
buy milk and would make a very small batch of cheese, selling it to
friends and neighbors. Each time I sold a batch I would put money
aside so I could pay for my children’s education.”
CHANGE
CHANGE LIVES
LIVE ON RATIONS
Since starting her small cheese business, Farah managed to, bit by bit, grow her income so
LIVES
that now, four years after fleeing the war, she is no longer reliant on food rations. Through
her hard work and determination, and with your support, she is able to pay school fees, buy
essentials and support her children’s education.
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
“I can’t describe this feeling. I just couldn’t believe that I could
start my own business, because I’m not the kind of a person I would
call a business woman. I’m so proud of myself and I am so relieved and
happy I can support my family.”
of halloumi.
ows off her batch
Farah proudly sh
Say cheese! As we sat with Farah in her small
apartment in an urban refugee camp
Farah is from a small country town around 30 miles outside of
Damascus, Syria. She lived there with her two sons and three
daughters, and has very fond memories of their safe and happy on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan, she Karen McG rath / Ration Chal
lenge
life before the war. laughed with us that cheese had saved
her family, “Who doesn’t love cheese,”
Karen McGrath / Ration Challenge
she joked. A refugee from Syria, Farah
She told us that when the war started it felt very surreal. They
had always thought the conflict would stop, but after a year and
a half of prolonged violence, which was moving closer and closer fled with next to nothing. Now after
to their home, she was forced to flee across the border into four years of determination, grit and
resourcefulness, she has started her
It’s so much more than food rations!
Jordan to keep her family safe. They left everything behind. She
own halloumi making business, which
said the fear her family experienced and the feeling of trying
is enabling her family to pay school
to keep her young children safe was “unbearable, I can’t even
explain.”
fees, eat nutritious meals and slowly The Ration Challenge is about more than providing emergency food rations. It is about
After a difficult journey to Jordan, Farah’s family spent years rebuild their lives. supporting people like Farah when they need it most so they are able to support their
living in makeshift camps and surviving on rations. Most refugees families and get back on their feet. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of CHEESE :)
in Jordan aren’t able to work, and without any way to earn an
income, Farah was struggling to provide for her and her family.
30 CWS Note: Names have been changed to protect identities. ration challenge 2019 31GET STARTED
GET STARTED
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
We gave Syrian kids disposable cam
eras and ran a
photography and storytelling works
hop with them.
Richard Wainw right/Act for Peace
Instead of us telling their stories we
gave them the skills and
confidence to tell their own. What
we got back was a small
but powerful glimpse into what life
as a refugee is really
like for the kids who’ve had their live
s torn apart by Syria’s
bloody war. Through these photos,
kids share intimate
moments from their daily lives.
32 CWS ration challenge 2019 33GET STARTED
GET STARTED
FAQs
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS
When is the Ration Challenge? I’m busy June 16-23. Can I do the Ration Challenge at a I’m pregnant, can I take part?
The Ration Challenge is held in Refugee Week 2019, different time? It is recommended that pregnant women do not take
from Sunday June 16 – Sunday June 23. You start Yes! You can do the Challenge whenever you choose. part in the Challenge as they have additional dietary
the Challenge when you wake up on the morning Many people do the Ration Challenge early due to work, requirements that the rations do not meet.
of Sunday June 16 and finish when you wake up on school or family commitments.
Sunday June 23 (not the Saturday night). I’m under 18, can I still take part?
What happens if I slip up during the challenge and break the Yes, but you can only take part in the Ration Challenge
Is there a vegetarian/vegan ration pack? rules? Can I still continue? as part of a school or family organized activity, fully
Yes! The ingredients in the ration pack are suitable The Challenge we’ve set is to eat the same rations as supervised by a teacher, parent or guardian (they’ll
CHANGE LIVES
CHANGE LIVES
for vegans and vegetarians, except for the sardines. a Syrian refugee for the full seven days, and we’re need to register on your behalf).
When you registered, you would have had the encouraging everyone to aim for this goal. However,
option to receive a ration pack without sardines. if you do slip up and break a rule, you can make a CAn I exercise during the challenge?
In place of the sardines, please add 4oz of tofu (or penalty donation of at least $35 to your fundraising We don’t recommend that you dramatically increase
other protein alternative of your choice) to your page and then continue with the Challenge. The Ration your physical activity levels during the Challenge
ration pack. Challenge works on an honesty policy, so only you and due to the additional nutritional requirements that
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
your conscience will know if you break the rules! exercising may cause. If you exercise regularly in
normal circumstances, it is recommended that you
What if I feel ill during the Ration Challenge? reduce the level of physical exertion you undertake
If you have any concerns about your health, please during the Challenge.
consult a medical professional before taking part. If you
feel ill during the Ration Challenge, cease participation
immediately and see a doctor.
THE SMALL PRINT
THE SMALL PRINT
What is the nutritional value of the ration packs?
The calorie content of the food eaten during the
challenge (i.e. the contents of the ration pack
provided plus the specified additional rice and flour)
is below 1738cal/person/day. This does not meet the
Where does the money go? Sphere Minimum Standard of 2,100 kcal/person/day
The money you raise will help provide food (an initiative set up by a coalition of organizations
rations, healthcare and education for Syrian including CWS). It is also not consistent with the daily
refugees living in Jordan, and support the calorie requirements recommended for an adult.
ongoing work of CWS to help vulnerable people
rebuild their lives in safety.
In the last financial year, 83.9% of CWS’s global
expenditure went directly to services for
displaced people, global relief and development,
and emergency response.
Around 6.6% was invested to raise even more
funds, 4.8% was spent on essential running costs
such as organizational management and 4.7%
was spent on advocacy efforts.
Find out more about the incredible difference
you’re making at cwsglobal.org
C WS
34 CWS ration challenge 2019 35Karen McGrath / Ration Challenge EMAIL info@cwsglobal.org website rationchallengeusa.org Church World Service is a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Charity Registration Number: 13-4080201
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