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Students Katie Weakley (left) and Christine Exley wash their hair in the bathroom at the Baptist Student Center as part of their economics class project on poverty. View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

UMW students taste poverty for life lesson

Some University of Mary Washington students try living on $2 a day

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BY JEFF BRANSCOME

Date published: 4/7/2007

BY JEFF BRANSCOME

A few University of Mary Washington students went "Dumpster diving" this week for stale bagels.

One evening, they gathered pieces of cardboard behind a Fredericksburg shopping center to build a "shanty town" near the campus's main walkway.

They also snagged stakes from a construction site to erect a makeshift tent for their little village.

Junior Alex Valencia calls it "borrowing without asking." It's not a habit of his, but these were desperate times.

This week, he and about 22 other UMW students lived on just $10 each for an economic development project.

The endeavor started on Monday and ended yesterday at 4 p.m. The assignment showed students firsthand why poor people struggle to save money.

They used their limited funds for necessities such as food and soap but could ask strangers for additional goods.

One student said the lack of food made her kind of "loopy."

Some, including Valencia, went an extra step and stayed outside in sleeping bags for three cold nights. Economics professor Shawn Humphrey joined them at the shanty town.

"I think it's hilarious that our professor is out there sleeping with us," said junior Katie Weakley.

At one point, Humphrey tried to satisfy his caffeine craving by making his own coffee filter: A paper towel, covered with old coffee grounds and placed on top of a mug. He poured water over the contraption, but got nowhere.

The energetic professor launched what he calls the "Living on $2 a day" project at UMW last semester and hopes to do it annually.

At least one other campus has tried it. A girl from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology wrote a blog about living on $2 a day.

In the future, Humphrey hopes to get schools such as the University of Virginia and College of William & Mary involved.

UMW students could wear only two outfits all week. Many of the men, like Valencia, didn't even bother to buy toothpaste or soap.

"Food-wise I think I'm going to do all right. It's just hygiene-wise," Valencia said, his voice trailing off.

The assignment entailed more than just playing the role of a poor person. Throughout the week, the students encouraged others to sponsor them financially. The money, which can be donated online, will provide business loans for poor entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Students cannot consume food or drinks they bought before the project and can't use their meal plans. Gasoline comes out of the students' $10 allotment, unless they are commuters. Students must boil water before they drink it, something done by people in impoverished countries. Students can't use electricity after dark. Students can barter with strangers for additional goods and services.

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Date published: 4/7/2007