Monday, May 21, 2012

Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge

"I am taking part in the Second Annual Flats and Handwashing Challenge hosted by Dirty Diaper Laundry. For 7 days I will be using only flat cloth diapers and handwashing them in an effort to prove that cloth diapering can be affordable and accessible to all. You can learn more about the rules and why this challenge was started by visiting the announcement post. This year there are over 450 participants from all over the world!"


Most people might question why would I commit myself to hand washing and using flats when there are easier ways.  I am not living in poverty, I own a washer and dryer and I have every kind of diaper imaginable.  So why.  Well I wasn't always in this position.  When I was growing up we were poor.  Our well dried up when I was 5 or 6 and we lived with out running water for 3 years.  I don't remember much since I was so young but some things I can never forget. Like going to the YMCA once a week to shower or using water from our pool to flush toilets. Times were tough. This happened in a suburban town in America.  For many people around the world this is life everyday.  As a newlywed in rural Turkey the people in the village that we lived in go every summer with limited supplies of water.  We all had to choose between water for our crops or water for ourselves.  Everyday me and my sister-in-law would walk down to the mosque and fill buckets with water and then walk home. 
I want to complete this challenge to prove to myself that no matter what situation I find myself I will be able to take care of my family.



6 comments:

  1. Wow, I can't imagine. My Dad didn't have running water until he was 10 and here I am with my A/C and ceiling fans!

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  2. You definitely know all too well the hardships of limited water. FYI: I'm also going to follow you on Ravelry.

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  3. Wow! I don't think most people could ever imagine living without water. Amazing story.

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  4. It's hard times like these that people should know about. Our family to has over come very hard times. Many children no longer have the thought in their heads that they can do ANYTHING, but challenges like these, that they see our families go through, help them see that anything is possible! Thank you for sharing!
    CJR @ The Mami Blog

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  5. I think a lot of people are out of touch with what is going on next door to them...as you said, this can happen in mainstream America. Sometimes we don't realize how fortunate we are! I have been reading info about the amount of kids who are lacking food on the weekends, and only have a proper meal while they are at school. It's important that we are actually paying attention and caring for our neighbor!

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    1. Very well said Amanda. It is a pity that we grow enough food to feed the world population but people are still starving.

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