greater than or equal to poverty

I've agreed to live in relative poverty for an entire year. I've agreed to be part of a national service experiment called Americorps VISTA. Considering I didn't have to apply for a visa or learn a foreign language, some days I wonder how heroic my plight actually is. Is it more idiotic? Service is something I strongly agree in. Strongly believe in. Have always promoted.

I'm here in this place right now to see if it's actually, truthfully, real-life possibility: feasible.