May 2023: Pilots, Rain and Pensions

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Pilots, Rain and Pensions

written by Aurelie

Wow. We've made a whopping 2,254 payments so far — thanks to your incredible support. Let's keep the momentum going by spreading the word and encouraging others to join us in making a difference.

From pilot to standard

Hope is on the horizon! In New York, a guaranteed income program just went from pilot to permanent. The initiative that gives more than 1,000 mothers $1,000 a month is expanding. Lawmakers are even considering using city funds to boost the cash assistance program.

Rainy Sierra Leone

I wasn’t much a fan of Twitter threads until I came across this one explaining why Africa is the way it is, by focusing on the environmental features of the vast land mass. It turns out Africa is the unlucky continent with the largest continuous landmass in the Horse Latitudes. Now I will let you find out for yourself what Horse Latitudes are.

The logic of cash

“I think in the end, the logic of cash is overwhelming.” I was truly impressed by Rory Stewart, president of GiveDirectly, and his arguments. If you want to understand why the direct expenditure of cash is much more effective than any needs assessment, the vitality of mobile money, and the need of raising governments’ ambitions, listen to Rory on Hear this Idea.

Our World in Data

Numbers that made us think and wonder:

Stat of the month

41%

More than 41% of the population is under the age of 14. Sierra Leone has an extremely diverse population that consists of more than 16 ethnic groups. The population size is estimated to include approximately 8.5 million people (2022).

Pensions mean safety

Less than 10% of workers in Sub-Saharan Africa save for old age. This is the lowest rate globally, and shows how much the region’s pension funds lag behind in reforms. This implication is that most of the breadwinners today won’t be able to afford basic items after retirement.

Upcoming elections

We, the younger generation, complain regularly that old people decide our future by outvoting us. This is definitely not an issue in Sierra Leone, where young voters comprise nearly 60 percent of the voting age population. And don’t forget life expectancy is at 61 years. But they face other critical challenges as they get ready to elect a new president on June 27 — including violence by disaffected youth.

Our World in News

Stories that made us think and wonder:

• Despite facing abuse and intimidation, female politicians in Sierra Leone refuse to be silenced as the country prepares for upcoming elections in June. (The Guardian)
• This cotton tree, which has stood several hundred years in Freetown, has been brought down by a storm. (BBC / Tagesanzeiger)
• How Sierra Leone’s education system can help to improve the world. (The New York Times)
• America’s poverty is built by design – how the US punishes the poor and rewards the wealthy. (Democracy Now!)
• Extreme poverty could be eradicated globally until 2050. (The Guardian)

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