On Monday night I slept in a cardboard box as part of my families effort to raise money for Live Below the Line. As I settled down to sleep in my cardboard box, admittedly in the relative safety of the St John's Theological College grounds, I was struck by a feeling of vulnerability. There was little protection between myself and the outside world. The homeless who sleep on the street are open to theft, susceptible to violence, and at risk of being removed by law enforcement or local government agencies.
As I reflected on this feeling of vulnerability I again recognised that being poor brings about vulnerability. The women we work with in Kolkata were trafficked because of situations of vulnerability. There poverty of their family, the fact that they were women, and lack of education left them open to exploitation, violence and abuse.
This is why we are involved in Live Below the Line. Tearfund through the fundraising efforts of Live Below the Line is working to provide community run (not Western run) initiatives that empower communities and give them choices that enable them to flourish.
Yesterday we hit our fundraising target. Today we have raised it. We have put some more money in and we would love you to get involved in being part of the empowerment story of those who are talented and gift but lack the opportunities to live into all they can be.