Step aside, ice bucket - here's the 'rubble bucket challenge'
Move aside Ice Bucket Challenge. Say hello to the Rubble Bucket Challenge and the Rice Bucket Challenge.
People around the world have been putting a local twist on the wildly popular campaign by The ALS Association to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease.
Palestinian journalist Ayman al Aloul came up with the rubble bucket version to get people who sympathise with the residents of Gaza to come up with ideas to help the war-torn zone.
In a video posted on his YouTube account, he said: "We looked for a bucket of water, however, the use of water is more important than to empty over our heads."
He said after doing the challenge: "We do not have water, but this is what we have."
The movement has gained traction among locals, with stars such as Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf having taken up the challenge.
Rice Bucket Challenge
In India, where clean water is also not readily available, Hyderabad-based journalist Manju Latha Kalanidhi came up with the Rice Bucket Challenge.
No, it does not involve pouring a bucket of rice over your head. Instead, participants are asked to give a bucket of rice to someone in need or donate medicine worth 100 rupees (S$2) to a government hospital, reported CNBC.
Mr Venkat Krishnan N donated 5kg of rice to Ashadeep Association and sponsored a year's midday meals for 2 children.
Quartz reported the 38-year-old as saying: "The idea of dunking oneself in icy cold water, shrieking in horror and then uploading the bizarre video felt preposterous. I wanted to just do something local, meaningful without wasting anything."
"So rice replaced water here," she added.
The challenge has quickly caught on, with its Facebook page garnering 25,000 likes in just three days.
Quartz reported Ms Manju as saying: "Response has been staggering. You can donate to any needy person—a poor kid, a vegetable seller, your maid, driver, watchman, orphanage etc."
Sources: CNBC, Quartz, The Independent, Mail Online
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