Over a billion people worldwide live on a dollar a day or less — and women are most likely to be among the world’s poorest citizens.  Read how Ritu Sharma, President and Co-Founder of Women Thrive, walked in their shoes.

2010: Burkina Faso

On her third Dollar a Day experience, Ritu visits the village of Doulougou in the West African country Burkina Faso. In this small village the practice of polygamy is customary, and feudalism still prevails.

“It’s getting late and Mariam must begin work at 5 a.m., which means I will too. It’s still about 85 degrees outside and 90 plus degrees inside the hut Mariam prepared for me, so I opt to sleep outside with the rest of the family. The father and boys construct a “bed” by jerry-rigging mosquito nets, plastic mats, and a bed sheet on a flat piece of concrete.”

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2009: Guatemala

On her second Dollar a Day experience, Ritu visits women in Guatemala in an attempt to understand how not only they survive on a dollar a day, but also how these women support large families.

“After a day of traveling, we have returned to Guatemala City, all of us a little bleary eyed from this latest adventure... Reflecting on the four days, I’m surprised that I was not bothered by things that I thought would drive me crazy. I’ve now been in the same clothes for 96 hours and it hasn’t fazed me until now...What was upsetting to me is how focused I became on food and how unsettling it is was not knowing when, where, or how much I was going eat for my next meal.”

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2008: Nicaragua

On her first Dollar a Day excursion, Ritu Sharma lives with the women of Tactic, in rural Nicaragua. There she learned first hand the challenges facing women, why many have joined cooperatives to address these challenges, and what it really takes to survive on only 1 dollar a day.

“Our talk turns to women, and I hear over and over that there are two types of women in rural Nicaragua: those pulling themselves up and out of poverty and those who are still stuck.  With little industry here, the ticket for women is having access to land to grow vegetables and fruits.”

• Read the full diary.
• View the photos.
• Watch the videos.
  

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Women Thrive Worldwide's efforts to change women's lives depend on supporters who care enough to take action. With your involvement, we can help to end hunger, support economic empowerment with policies that enable women lift themselves and their families out of poverty. Your support of $1 every day for one year helps end hunger, and ensures women’s basic human rights.

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