NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2020

Year in Review

2020 has been a year that has been memorable across the globe! As we at The Life You Can Save look back on the events of the year, we have very mixed feelings. The good news is that we have received nearly twice the amount of donations to our recommended charities compared to 2019. That means our donors have generously given more money that will be used to save lives at risk of malaria, provide children with nutrient-fortified food, save women from the horrors of obstetric fistula, empower livelihoods, and more!

The launch of the updated The Life You Can Save and website revision that we undertook last December appear to have been responsible for these very positive increases. So far, we have distributed ~50,000 ebooks, audiobooks, and paperbacks of the new edition. These books create both interest in fighting extreme poverty and donations. According to Rob Mather, CEO of The Against Malaria Foundation, "The new free ebook and audiobook editions of The Life You Can Save have generated significant interest in Against Malaria Foundation and lead to an increase in donations."

And over the next 5-10 years we hope to reach millions with Peter Singer’s critical message. To do this, we plan to use contributions to The Life You Can Save itself to distribute and market the book and related content that we create across many different platforms. So we hope that our donors will consider donating to our 90/10 Fund, which helps support our work while at the same time continuing to aid our recommended nonprofits.

So, in one sense, we at The Life You Can Save have much to celebrate this year. However, as we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused massive harm this year — both directly and indirectly through its “knock-on” effects. The World Bank estimates that COVID-19 will push an additional 88 million to 115 million people into extreme poverty this year. Depending on the severity of the economic contraction that number could rise to 150 million people by 2021. These statistics are so horribly sad when we stop to imagine the day-to-day impact on individuals, families, and communities throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

So I urge all of you right now to donate very generously to counter these adverse impacts. Ask yourself whether what you are doing with your dollars is more valuable than saving lives, reducing unnecessary suffering, or empowering livelihoods among the extreme poor. Encourage your family, your circle of friends, and your colleagues to do the same. While 2020 was devastating in so many ways, you have the power to help make 2021 better for the recipients of your generosity.

Do Good. Feel Good.


Charlie Bresler

Executive Director of The Life You Can Save

Charity Voices