The cost of living in Romania compared to UK

As I have written previously there are people out there who challenge us as to why we are going all the way to Romania to help people when folk  are struggling so much back home.  Whilst I do acknowledge that everyone is being affected with the current world economic climate (and I am not making light of it) I struggle when I see real poverty throughout the world.  I have been "called" to serve here and I appreciate there are countries in the world who are even more poverty stricken.  Here is my response to the people who say that life is much improved in Romania since they joined the European Union.

Minimum wage in Romania - equivalent to 126 pounds per month
Minimum wage in UK - 990 pounds per month for 21 year old plus

Petrol per litre in UK - 1.33 pounds
Petrol per litre in Romania - equivalent to 1.00 pound

I have a Billa Supermarket Flyer in front of me with all the special offers on it.  Bear in mind that the minimum wage is 126 pounds per month (and that some of our widows get as little as 60 pounds per month) when you look at what these special offer items in one of the cheapest supermarkets costs:-

I have calculated the cost of each item in sterling:

Sugar 0.86
600g Cheese 4.21
800 litres of milk 0.75
10 eggs 1.35
1 kg of rice 1.08
2 kg of flour 1.21
1 Tin of Tomatoes 0.94
400ml bottle of shampoo 2.62
75 mlColgate toothpaste 0.97
Ariel Detergent  32 capsules 6.16
Iceberg lettuce 0.72
Minced Beef (not lean)  2.69 per kg

Please note that the majority of our elderly supported on the Widows Mite Project live in remote villages and so their only option is to buy in village shops which are much more expensive.  

We must also bear in mind that out of the monthly wage packet medicines and treatment need to be paid for.   You also need medical insurance to cover hospitalisation.  Household insurance is now compulsory.  Utility bills have also soared in the past 2 years.

The Romanian people are very resourceful - they experienced the hardship of severe food shortages during communism rule (remember the queues for food).  Everyone with a garden grows their own fruit and vegetables which are preserved for the winter.  People in country areas and in some parts of the city keep chickens and pigs which they slaughter themselves.  However this is not possible for the thousands of people living in apartment blocks in this city who have the added burden of service charges and not being able to control their heating costs.

My challenge is how would the average British person manage to survive on 126 pounds per month given the above cost of living?