$2 Challenge

Two Dollar Challenge is an educational movement that engages students in the fight against global poverty. It gives PLNU students a glimpse into how most of the world lives: on two dollars a day. Students are the future leaders in international development, and this event empowers them to find new ways of solving poverty. 

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Two Dollar Challenge 2010

From April 14-16, 2010, a group of PLNU students spent their time sleeping in cardboard shanties, boiling their drinking water, and living on just $2 a day. It was all part of the Two Dollar Challenge, an educational movement that engages students in the fight against global and domestic poverty. This year marked PLNU’s second time participating in the Two Dollar Challenge, and more than 40 students took part.

The Two Dollar Challenge asks students to live on the same amount of money as millions of those living in poverty around the world. They must also abide by rules designed to simulate poverty. Participants are not allowed to shower or bathe, may only have two outfits of clothing, and can’t use their campus meal plans or accept free food from others.

The event was spearheaded by seniors Jessica Chetsawang and Maira Flores, leaders in PLNU’s student microfinance club.

“Our objective is to educate the Point Loma Nazarene University campus through hosting the Two Dollar Challenge fundraiser,” said Chetsawang. “It is an educational movement that engages students in the fight against global and domestic poverty.”

Throughout the three-day event, students collected donations for the Grameen Foundation’s recovery efforts in Haiti. The Grameen Foundation works with organizations such as Fonkoze, the largest microfinance bank in Haiti.

PLNU’s fundraising efforts were also part of a friendly competition with USD, which began its own microfinance club this year with help from PLNU’s club. The schools wanted to see who can raise more money for poverty alleviation through their events. USD’s Two Dollar Challenge was held March 23-25.

Both PLNU and USD also participated in the 2010 San Diego Microfinance Summit event on April 28. The keynote speaker was Emmy Award winner Yeardley Smith, who is best known for her work as the voice of Lisa Simpson on the highly acclaimed television show The Simpsons. Smith is highly involved with microfinance through the Grameen Foundation and shared about her experiences in Haiti and the significance of microfinance.