Want to help people? Just give them money

GiveDirectly does just that: a nonprofit devoted to unconditional cash transfers directly to the impoverished. Ninety percent of the money raised goes into the hands of the poor, while 10 percent is spent on transfer fees and other expenses. Since launching in Kenya, recipients – who are often living on less than 65 cents a day – invest in food for starving children and long-term assets such as land, livestock and housing. Data show money spent on alcohol and cigarettes either decreases, stays the same or increases proportionally with other expenses.