YouTube sensation Jimmy Donaldson, known as Mr Beast, has once again made headlines with his philanthropic efforts. This time, he donated $200,000 (743,000,000 UGX) to support families in a struggling village in Karamoja.
The donation equated to each family receiving 3.7 Million shillings, a sum that, while seemingly modest, represents an entire year’s salary for many of these villagers.
The impact of this donation has been profound. Families have utilized the money to open businesses, construct homes, and send their children to school. MrBeast, who boasts approximately 288 million subscribers on his flagship YouTube channel, partnered with the nonprofit organization Give Directly to execute this charitable act.
Together, they distributed 3.7 Million on mobile money to around 300 households. While Beast Philanthropy provided 743 Million, Give Directly covered additional expenses, including operational costs. This program effectively provided each household with roughly a year’s worth of income.
In a video documenting the donation, MrBeast highlighted how transformative this financial support has been for the villagers in Karamoja. He shared stories of individuals like Ruth, who used her money to open a shop and purchase food and medicine for her children. Another beneficiary, Auma, built a school that now accommodates seven teachers and over 200 students. Similarly, two residents, Tiyan and Lokure, used their funds to buy land for crops, acquire a grain mill, and establish both a store and a fuel station in their village.
MrBeast’s initiative goes beyond just this one act of generosity. He has announced a joint fundraiser with GiveDirectly aimed at raising $150,000 to provide $1,000 to every household in a neighbouring village. As of Monday, the fundraiser has already garnered over $45,000.
MrBeast, known for his YouTube videos featuring large cash giveaways and quirky competitions, has recently shifted focus towards more philanthropic endeavours. These include building wells in Africa, donating food and clothing to those in need, and funding medical procedures like cataract surgeries and hearing aids for individuals who cannot afford them.
GiveDirectly, the nonprofit collaborating with MrBeast, has a history of innovative charitable programs. In 2017, it launched the world’s largest test of Universal Basic Income (UBI) involving 20,000 recipients in Kenya over a 12-year period. UBI typically refers to recurring cash payments to all adult members of a population without restrictions on how the money is spent. Early findings from GiveDirectly’s trial suggest that direct cash handouts can significantly boost household and business savings, enabling people to finance larger projects and make transformative life changes.
MrBeast acknowledged initial skepticism about direct cash payments, noting that flooding a community with money could be seen as “extremely irresponsible.” However, after observing the benefits firsthand through GiveDirectly’s approach, he and his team were convinced of its effectiveness.
“This is $1,000 in cash and if you suddenly came across this kind of money, no strings attached, what would you spend it on?” MrBeast posed at the start of his Uganda video, sparking thoughts about the profound impact such an amount can have.
The anecdotes shared in the video illustrate that the recipients did not squander the money but used it wisely to improve their lives and their community. By starting businesses, investing in education, and creating new revenue streams, these villagers are on a path to overcoming poverty for good.
MrBeast’s ongoing efforts and his collaboration with GiveDirectly underscore the potential of direct cash transfers to bring about meaningful change in the lives of those living in extreme poverty.
