Comments on: Living on a Dollar a Day in Malawi http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/ Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. -- Plato Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:44:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Shaun http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-461 Shaun Tue, 08 May 2007 20:54:07 +0000 http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-461 [Comment ID #460 Will Be Quoted Here] Thanks for your unique input Victor. I agree that we monetize everything and didn't mean any disrespect comparing Malawi and England as far as prices, food or living. I'm happy that the people of Malawi are happy and realize I just wanted to note key differences between cultures and how we take everything for granted. Everything.

Victor Kaonga on May 8, 2007 at 9:35 pm said:

But the problem is that life in Malawi is not only defined by the dollar. There is much more that defines life. I am Malawian and have grown up in those circumstances. Part of the reason why you see big differences (and I agree you cannot live like a Malawian!) is becuase in the west, you monetise everything. Not everything people eat comes from a shop or paid for in some cent terms. One thing you did not point out is that Malawians are happy and joyfull in spite of these circumstances. Ever wondered why? With all the dollars elsewhere, I notice there is lot of misery which many don’t want admit. Should living just be defined by the dollar? Ever heard of Malawi’s indegenous economics?

Thanks for your unique input Victor. I agree that we monetize everything and didn’t mean any disrespect comparing Malawi and England as far as prices, food or living.

I’m happy that the people of Malawi are happy and realize I just wanted to note key differences between cultures and how we take everything for granted. Everything.

]]> By: Victor Kaonga http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-460 Victor Kaonga Tue, 08 May 2007 20:35:21 +0000 http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-460 But the problem is that life in Malawi is not only defined by the dollar. There is much more that defines life. I am Malawian and have grown up in those circumstances. Part of the reason why you see big differences (and I agree you cannot live like a Malawian!) is becuase in the west, you monetise everything. Not everything people eat comes from a shop or paid for in some cent terms. One thing you did not point out is that Malawians are happy and joyfull in spite of these circumstances. Ever wondered why? With all the dollars elsewhere, I notice there is lot of misery which many don't want admit. Should living just be defined by the dollar? Ever heard of Malawi's indegenous economics? But the problem is that life in Malawi is not only defined by the dollar. There is much more that defines life. I am Malawian and have grown up in those circumstances. Part of the reason why you see big differences (and I agree you cannot live like a Malawian!) is becuase in the west, you monetise everything. Not everything people eat comes from a shop or paid for in some cent terms. One thing you did not point out is that Malawians are happy and joyfull in spite of these circumstances. Ever wondered why? With all the dollars elsewhere, I notice there is lot of misery which many don’t want admit. Should living just be defined by the dollar? Ever heard of Malawi’s indegenous economics?

]]> By: Gareth http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-457 Gareth Tue, 08 May 2007 09:14:42 +0000 http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-457 Well when I was at college, i was to lazy to get a job and was living on £30 a week, I found this hard but it really did help in my money skills, I think I'd be able to live off £30 a month but it would be hard going if you think about it. I mean alot of people are used to earning that a day and only just cope with life. But it is possible just. We should all just be greatful we can live as we do and spare a thought to those in need. Gareth Well when I was at college, i was to lazy to get a job and was living on £30 a week, I found this hard but it really did help in my money skills, I think I’d be able to live off £30 a month but it would be hard going if you think about it. I mean alot of people are used to earning that a day and only just cope with life. But it is possible just.

We should all just be greatful we can live as we do and spare a thought to those in need.

Gareth

]]> By: Shaun http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-452 Shaun Mon, 07 May 2007 01:50:18 +0000 http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-452 I should have mentioned in my post that I didn't include water as a source of outgoing because I was basing it on living as I am now, where I am now, with their budget. I should've included water but that's given free via wells from various charities that pay for these to be installed. It's amazing how we live and how much we actually take for granted. I should have mentioned in my post that I didn’t include water as a source of outgoing because I was basing it on living as I am now, where I am now, with their budget. I should’ve included water but that’s given free via wells from various charities that pay for these to be installed.

It’s amazing how we live and how much we actually take for granted.

]]> By: Duncan http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-451 Duncan Mon, 07 May 2007 01:47:21 +0000 http://www.sh4un.co.uk/2007/05/07/living-on-a-dollar-a-day-in-malawi/#comment-451 Not to poke holes in your spending.. But water for making the soup? water for boiling the potates? water for cooking the rice and pasta? Water for mixing the milk mix? Fuel for heating the water and food? It does open the eyes to how frugal these people live. I would NOT want to swap places with them, call me shallow but I am very happy about the "Them and Us" situation, i'm quite thankfull now I think about it that I was born in the contry I was. Perhaps they can market their skills as "Frugal Living Consultants" to other such poor contrys, or people in bransholm with financial problems? Not to poke holes in your spending..

But water for making the soup? water for boiling the potates? water for cooking the rice and pasta?
Water for mixing the milk mix?
Fuel for heating the water and food?

It does open the eyes to how frugal these people live. I would NOT want to swap places with them, call me shallow but I am very happy about the “Them and Us” situation, i’m quite thankfull now I think about it that I was born in the contry I was.

Perhaps they can market their skills as “Frugal Living Consultants” to other such poor contrys, or people in bransholm with financial problems?

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