Everything I ever accomplished...
and everything I will ever accomplish will be the result of the pure coincidence of being born in a specific location of the world where I had more opportunities to succeed, learn skills, be happy and live a better life than a large proportion of human beings currently sharing this world with me.
It was impossible to see myself and the true level of my morality without touching upon these questions of free will (is it my fault that I had all opportunities I had), or liability (what I am responsible for) and necessity.
Being aware that I was, objectively, dealt an amazing hand at the beginning of my life meant that I have a moral responsibility to those less fortunate.
Ask yourself...
Would you save a child from a burning building?
For most people, the answer is yes. What kind of a moral monster would you be if you saw it, could help and did nothing?
But "burning buildings" are everywhere, just not in our proximity. And that is the problem that stops most of us from helping. We are not directly impacted by it - the problems are far away.
Your life doesn't need to be in jeopardy (like running into a burning building) in the process of saving a life. It's just giving away a tiny percentage of your earnings. We have this amazing privilege.
How would you feel if you saved a child's life?
For roughly every $3,500 donated, you can.
Impact of donations so far
Numbers were last updated on 27 December 2024.
Giving 20% since December 2022
Giving 10% since January 2017.
45,901
Total number of nets funded
82,622
Total number of people protected
83
Estimated lives saved*
*The number is an approximation using the independent charity evaluator GiveWell data that provides a quantitative estimate of the lives saved per Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Net distributed in a developing country through the AMF organization.
#16 — Doing good & living a good life / On effective altruism
Episode about effective altruism from my podcast (slovene language with english captions)
Why I Give Where I Give
Which charity you give to is as important as giving itself
When deciding where to give, I let myself be guided by a process I use for finding answers to almost any question in life: objective scientific research.
I asked myself where can $1 of my money do the most possible good.
All metrics and research pointed towards:
The Against Malaria Foundation is a United Kingdom-based charity that provides long-lasting insecticidal nets to populations at high risk of malaria, primarily in Africa.
Effectiveness of AMF charity
Top rated charity (since 2012)
by GiveWell
Top rated charity (since 2012)
by Giving What We Can
Top rated charity (since 2012)
by The Life You Can Save
AMF’s program has a strong track record of preventing malarial infections. It is also highly cost-effective, as its lean organisational structure, careful use of technology and partnerships with local charities keep its costs exceptionally low.
Its administrative costs are paid by established private donors, and the costs of distribution are covered by its distribution partners. This means that donations from the public go straight towards purchasing more nets. What’s more, its website lists all donations received and links each donation to a specific distribution, so donors can follow its progress and see the impact that they are having.
Why malaria?
Malaria kills half a million people every year and 400 million fall ill. Before bed nets were made available, it was three or more times that. Nets are a proven intervention - a more effective way of saving lives than any other. There is still a long way to go and every death from malaria is preventable.
70% of the deaths are children under 5
Malaria is the world's single largest killer of pregnant women
90% of the deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa
Yet malaria is totally preventable and treatable. Nobody needs to die. Prevention is better than treatment.
Buying and delivering an AMF-funded net cost only around $2 - $6*
The most effective means of prevention by far is sleeping under a mosquito net (Long-Lasting Insecticide-treated Net)
Every 550 (100-1,000) nets distributed and installed equals 1 life saved*
This means that on average you save 1 life with every $2.824,25*
*source: GiveWell