Fighting Global Poverty with the Help of Everyday People

Social Income lets everyone participate in the fight against global poverty by contributing 1% of their income, which is paid out directly to the phones of people in need.

Their approach builds on a reliable, preexisting direct cash donation system, which has proven to be both effective and scalable. The only requirement is a cell phone capable of mobile banking, which makes Sierra Leone—a fast-growing mobile money market—a perfect location.

Social Income is rooted in the principle that everyone should live a healthy, fulfilling life regardless of where they live. Digital tools are a powerful means of making this happen, both in terms of their power to connect people who need funding and in terms of their potential for enacting, measuring, and optimising real social change. We aim to give everyone a chance to contribute to, and benefit from, a fairer, more sustainable future.

Giving cash directly to those in need also maximises community self-determination. Recipients can address issues that determine their health and well-being rather than depend on governmental or outside help to do so. Social Income also believes that in times of emergency, where NGOs are either cut down to essential operations or forced to leave countries—like during the recent Ebola crisis or the current Covid-19 crisis—digital tools can be a powerful means of reliable, borderless support for those in need.

Social Income is an initiative in solidarity that connects people across the world through small, impactful donations. By asking for a modest contribution of 1%, they make it possible for people from all walks of life to participate. Recipients in Sierra Leone receive every month USD 30—guaranteed for three years.

This year, Social Income started an informal collaboration with the Jamil and Nyanga Jaward Foundation to support some of their widows. One of the lucky beneficiaries is Mariatu Kamara, featured in Issue 5. Challenged with supporting her two disabled sons and on the verge of being evicted, this could not have come at a better time for Mariatu and her boys.