This chapter delves into the criticisms of international aid, considers ways to objectively assess which types of aid program work, and examines how we can improve aid efficiency. Professor Singer argues that we can sharply reduce extreme poverty if we direct resources that match the problems addressed and choose to learn from our mistakes.    

Join those who are doing more: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities

Chapter 8 is narrated by Winnie Auma, the Uganda Country Director for Village Enterprise. Village Enterprise is a charity recommended by the charity evaluator The Life You Can Save for its work in ending extreme poverty in rural Africa through entrepreneurship and innovation. In this chapter, Professor Singer acknowledges that parents love their own children more than the children of strangers. Citing examples, he argues that this does not justify prioritizing luxuries for one’s own children ahead of the basic needs of other children.  

Explore Winnie Auma's nonprofit: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/best-charities/village-enterprise

Narrated by internationally renowned Indian film and theatre actress Shabana Azmi, in Chapter 9, Professor Singer poses the question: to be ethical, do we really have to give up all our unnecessary expenses? The Chapter addresses the nature and validity of the “fair share” and other moderate ethical approaches.   

Find out more: www.thelifeyoucansave.org

This chapter considers what is realistic with charitable giving. Professor Singer proposes a standard of donating roughly 5% of one’s annual income to effective charities for those who are financially comfortable, with less for those below that level, and significantly more for the very rich. He argues that this would not only benefit the poor but also those who donate.   

Want to act? www.thelifeyoucansave.org/actnow

This section is a call to action which urges people to visit the website of the charity The Life You Can Save for guidance on how to take simple actions, like sharing the book or pledging a percentage of their income to effective charities.   

Act now: www.thelifeyoucansave.org/actnow

Charlie Bresler, the Executive Director of the charity The Life You Can Save, tells his own story of how his life was radically changed by Professor Singer’s The Life You Can Save and how, since reading the book, he has worked tirelessly to direct hundreds of thousands of dollars to effective charities. 

Want to leverage your charitable donation? www.thelifeyoucansave.org/invest

Professor Singer thanks the people who worked tirelessly to make the tenth-anniversary re-launch of The Life You Can Save possible. 

Explore Peter's nonprofit, The Life You Can Save: www.thelifeyoucansave.org