The Catholic group launches a campaign to persuade the population to live on5 Singaporean dollars a day, or the amount available to the lower end of the population. It has collected about 600 thousand dollars in charity from those who have tried.

Singapore (AsiaNews) -  How could you live on 5 Singaporean dollars ( € 3 ) per day ? And you, would you be able to do it ? This is the challenge launched by Caritas Singapores new campaign. The Catholic aid agency is asking the population to try to live like the poorest section of the population. And in a few days it has collected 600 thousand dollars (about 350 thousand EUR) in donations from those who have tried it and found out "what its like to live when you are not rich."

According to the Department of Statistics, Singapore is home to over 105 thousand households that earn about $ 1,500 a month.  This means 387 thousand people who - after paying rent, bills and school fees - have 3 euro a day to eat, drink and move. To help them, Caritas decided to "provoke" the 90 % of residents living with far higher earnings: "Whatever you think of those who have less than you, hold off judgment. And just try it ."

The campaign, thanks to wide spread publicity in local press, has become a success. Some Caritas sources claim that in about two weeks more than 600 thousand dollars have been collected to give to charity, donated by some who had " tried" and accepted the challenge. The text published by the Church reads: "Because when Singaporeans encounter issues on the ground, many show that they care. Too many of us still live in our cocoons. We invite you to come out and join us on this mission. Be surprised at what you don't know. And be inspired to act and make a difference".

• Caritas
• Singapore
• poverty