Tamworth girls Meg Sheppard and Molly Johns tackle the Ration Challenge 2018, to eat like a Syrian refugee

The Tamworth girls are taking part in the Ration Challenge, a tough but eye-opening campaign that raises money for Syrian refugees living in Jordan.

The scant box of food is all a real refugee is given, if they’re lucky enough to grab one at all.

Molly discovered the campaign scrolling through Instagram one night.

“I was really shocked about it all, I watched a YouTube video where they showed what a normal week of food looks like – they brought out the box and I thought, ‘Oh my god, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do this’,” she said.

The idea for the Ration Challenge first emerged in December 2013, when Act for Peace staff members, Karen McGrath and Ben Littlejohn, visited Burmese refugee camps and witnessed first-hand the limited food available for refugees.

“I felt sick to the stomach at even the thought of living off such a small amount of food day in, day out, and it got me thinking what it would really be like to live on those rations,” Ms McGrath said.

“The challenge is a practical, empowering and meaningful way in which Australians can raise funds for Syrian refugees living in Jordan and in other parts of the world.”

An estimated 13,200 Australians have signed up to take on the challenge.

Under the impression there’s strength in numbers, Molly asked her best friend Meg to go along for the ride with her. 

The challenge started on Sunday, and the girls said the second day was the hardest so far. 

“I guess it’s a bit harder because we’re used to having a huge range of food, but it’s something they’ll always have – I just couldn’t imagine living off that every single day for years,” Molly said.

“You get 1.9 kilos of rice and that’s your main food source, it fills you up but half an hour later you’re hungry again.”

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So far, the Year 12 students have raised $1400 for the cause, which goes toward food, medicine and psychological support for refugees.

Meg said it’s made her feel more sorry for people in underprivileged situations.

“I had headaches all day Monday, there was just this feeling of being empty and I had to drink a lot of water to keep my body feeling full,” she said.

Finding it hard to concentrate on school work, Molly said she isn’t as hungry as she thought she would be.

“I’ve felt really tired, you just miss normal food," she said.

“I wouldn’t say I feel sorry for them, but it’s a basic human right to be able to have access to a good amount of food and variety, it’s not fair for them.”