Day 2

Well day 2 of the Darfur Fast is coming to an end and things are getting both better and worse. Physically, I feel a little weak but all in all I am ok but mentally.... I am ready to crumble.

Image via Wikipedia

I never really realized how much food we have here in the states until now. Everywhere I looked there were bags of chips, pretzels, soda, candy, and the like. Sure they are just snack food items but they are food none the less. Tempting me, calling out to me, they were everywhere I looked. I didn't bother going down to the EDR (Employee Dinning Room) for break or lunch because I knew the smell and sight of all that food would probably break me.

I can't imagine living with this type of hunger. I was talking to someone at work today about my fast and about Darfur and mentioned that living with type of hunger has got to be horrible. Apparently they missed my point all together as the response I got was "for us yes, but they are use to it so its no big deal to them". Being use to being hungry does not make it OK or right. Its is almost like they figured that since the people of Darfur have been living on so little for so long that some how these people were able to change their bodies physical need for nutrients. Like they are fine on the 1,017 calories A DAY that most refugees are getting. 1,017 calories is less then half of the normal daily recommended amount.

Just looking around today and thinking of all the times during the day that I normally ate, not just at normal meal times but all the snacks in between, I can't begin to imagine how many calories I was putting away.

I want to stress that I am not making a value judgment about myself or anyone else, I don't feel guilty for living in a place where food is readily available. I do feel a bit guilty for taking it for granted for so long. Only when you see how good we have it here can we start to understand how bad the situation is there.

I am 48 hours into my 3 day fast. I have lost 7 pounds. I feel weak and mentally disconnected. I am tired. I can't imagine living like this for years on end with no immediate hope in sight. We have to do something.

Day 2