Living in poverty: Nelson Brooker, 13, Julian Grima, 13, Trevor Nichols, 14, Robert Milazza, 14, and Matt Chripczuk, 14, inside their home for the night. Picture: Mike Sea
Living in poverty: Nelson Brooker, 13, Julian Grima, 13, Trevor Nichols, 14, Robert Milazza, 14, and Matt Chripczuk, 14, inside their home for the night. Picture: Mike Sea
ABOUT 60 Blacktown students got a taste of living in poverty-stricken countries last week.
The year 8 students of Tyndale Christian School at Douglas Road stayed in cardboard boxes, drank tap water and ate rationed meals in the school yard from Monday morning (September 17) to 4pm on Tuesday (September 18).
The participants, aged 12 to 14, also raised about $1500 from sponsorship of their experience.
They were taking part in the Slum Survivor and the Give Poverty the Flush campaign aimed at raising awareness of the 780 million people in the world who don't have adequate sanitation.
Teacher Priyanka Bromhead said every day around the world 3000 children die from preventable causes related to water, sanitation and hygiene.
She said the event also featured a giant toilet, a toilet roll petition and flash-mob event to highlight the issue.
A spokeswoman said the Toilet Tour aimed to draw Australia's attention to the global sanitation crisis and encourage our government to see this basic necessity as an aid priority.
"Beginning in Tamworth in May 2012 a giant toilet will tour Australia from the east coast, across the great bite of South Australia, up into Adelaide and then across to Western Australia, finishing its journey on World Toilet Day on November 19," she said.
"Something as simple as a toilet can ensure a child lives beyond the age of five. Yet one in three live without access to a decent toilet."