2020 brought unprecedented challenges, but we were inspired by the sight of organizations and communities coming together to help others. We had the opportunity to engage with and learn about charities doing tremendous, life-changing work throughout the world. This year, we also became a family of 4 and welcomed baby Oliver into our lives. With so much good being done, it was not easy to choose grant recipients. Resources and individuals at GiveWell and The Life You Can Save were essential in guiding us to cost-effective, outcomes-focused interventions. Our careers in the medical field rely on science and evidence, and we were excited to apply some of these same principles to giving.

 

For our first major grant, we were excited to partner with Seva to build a permanent, community-based vision clinic in San Marcos, Guatemala. The center will serve a population of 400,000 people who have limited access to eye care and is able to address up to 80% of the community’s eye care needs. The clinic also focuses on providing access to care and employment opportunities for women and girls. Proper vision is critical for breaking cycles of poverty through education and work for children and adults. We can only imagine how a vision impairment would have limited our dreams of pursuing an education and working in healthcare. The $120,000 grant will fully fund the clinic with the aim of becoming self-sustainable within 3 years. The center is expected to perform 2,400 exams per year and distribute 1,200 prescription glasses. We look forward to seeing this open in early 2021 and are excited to share photos from the inauguration on our website soon.

 

We also recognized the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have been amplified in the least developed parts of the world. We partnered with GiveDirectly to send direct cash transfers to individuals in Liberia where 1.3 million people (28%) live in extreme poverty (less than $1.90 per day). We acknowledged that many times we don’t know what the world’s poorest people need most, and randomized control trials indicate that for every $1000 of unconditional cash grants there is $270 in increased earnings, $430 in increased assets, $330 increased nutrition spending, and 0% effect on alcohol or tobacco spending. We were happy to find this cost-effective intervention and feel confident it will have a high long-term rate of return for the world’s least privileged.

 

Thank you to everyone who gives of their time, material, and love. You inspire us. Here is to a brighter future for all people!