PovertyReflections (2)

I Poverty Simulation Reflection Today I participated in the poverty simulation activity at school. l was assigned the role of a single mother with two children, and no current job. I tried to look at all of my expenses and have a plan to make sure I survived for the month, which was the task at ha nd . Once I looked at what I had, I really started thinking that there was no way I could make it. I needed to prioritize, and I actually got stressed about it. The simulation started and I was already worrying about how to make money while also being responsible to my youngest child. I was able to get a job by the second week in my simulation, but I was so worried about securing the job that I actually neglected to provide food that week for my family. When I went to work, I noticed that I really could not focus on my work because I kept looking at the clock thinking when I could leave to make sure I could take care of my children. I noticed that everything I did was rushed, and I was just trying to keep afloat. I also noticed all the things that came at me unexpectedly, like my child getting sick, or having to bail out my older son from jail. I really felt a sense of being overwhelmed, and I was actually angry and more argumentative as the simulation progressed. I was rejected several times at the bank and taken advantage of at the pawnshop; that really irritated me and I felt like scream ing . I was able to pay my rent and feed my children for 2 weeks, but it was rough. I felt exhausted by the end, and mad that I found myself in this place. I only did this activity for an hour, and I experienced such high emotions, I can't imagine finding myself in this situation every day. Afterwards, during the debriefing, one of the colleagues was saying how in her quick cash shop, she was purposely cheating people out of money, and I really felt so hurt at the moment. I felt so frustrated because I had struggled to get that money to meet my needs. But I also realized that in those circumstances my thought process was "[ need my money now, I don't care". I was so desperate that I ignored many things, and sacrificed a lot. Even at my job, I felt like I settled for anything they offered, which I probably missed out on a better paying job. This was a real eye-opening experience. It made me really place myself in the shoes of people that are living in poverty everyday, not only how they have to fight against odds in the outside, but also how it takes a toll on you emotionally with the stress, anxiety, and uncertainty of everyday . I think that this exercise definitely will encourage me to think more about the lives of those students I work with, how I can help rather than place more burden on them, and know that sometimes priority is not school when survival is their essential goal. I definitely feel privileged for my own experience as a student and having my needs met in order for my focus to be in school. Overall, this activity was enlightening and great at challenging/changing my perception, which I will take with me to improve my skills as an educator

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