Basic Income & Wikipedia

It was the 10th of May 2020 when I wrote an email to Sandino, the founder of Social Income, to introduce myself.

I had come across the Social Income entry on Wikipedia. The page was live for a few days before being taken down due to a lack of "reliable sources" (after a couple of years went back online).

At the time, I was looking for volunteer opportunities in projects related to inequality. I was also researching whether someone had already developed an idea similar to mine: allocating 1% of one’s salary to a direct cash transfer project.

The yellow webpage of the Social Income website was simple and essential.

After a brief email exchange, I was on board as a volunteer, dedicating my time to communications and becoming a contributor.

Screenshot of the Social Income website, March 2020

Influencers & Ebola survivors

Four years later, in April 2024, I found myself in Kenema, capturing short videos for a campaign to support SLAES, an organization of Ebola survivors. I had traveled through Sierra Leone for several hours with our local operations lead, Mariatu Sesay, and influencer Ismatu Bangura. Along the way, we passed through modest villages surrounded by lush landscapes of palm trees, mangoes, and bananas.

To date, we have raised almost $60,000 for this specific initiative.

Visiting the country, meeting partner organizations, and speaking with some of the recipients was a unique experience, at times heartbreaking, but also deeply motivating. It reinforced my determination to do more.

I was struck by the country's breathtaking nature, the resilience of its people, and the richness of its flavors and colors. So I decided to put my filmmaking skills to use, recording my journey with an old reflex camera.

Take a look at the video.

Chocolate & Photographs 

Things often connect in the most unexpected and fascinating ways (no surprise that a side project from Social Income’s founder is called Random Institute).

For the anniversary of Sierra Leone’s independence in 2024, following a tip from a fellow filmmaker, I joined a celebration in Barcelona, where I live. There, I met Linda, a Sierra Leonean working on a remarkable project: Organic Africa Chocolate.

The owner, Sergio, lives in Switzerland, where Social Income is based. Their company produces chocolate from cacao cultivated in the Kenema region of Sierra Leone and elaborates it near Barcelona.

A collaboration was inevitable. When I had the opportunity to present Social Income at the Christmas market in my village in Italy, I paired an exhibition of photographs taken in Sierra Leone with two delicious, personalized chocolates, fundraising for Social Income.

It wasn’t the first time I had organized a small exhibition; previously, I had set one up at the lovely tea shop Ecolectia in Barcelona. But this time, my whole family got involved, decorating our cellar and sharing the project’s story with local visitors.

Needless to say, the chocolate quickly sold out!

At the Christmas market (that’s me!)

Inequality & Inaction

I am an active volunteer and contributor at Social Income, even though I live in Spain.

With the Social Income team, we hold weekly remote meetings to distribute tasks and brainstorm new ideas. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the time, but I believe perseverance is crucial.

In five years, Social Income has raised more than $400,000 in donations and onboarded over 222 recipients in a three year program. Each recipient receives a monthly stipend directly on their phone via mobile money. That’s what I call impact!

Inequality thrives on inaction, but we have the power to make meaningful choices: small actions can create significant change.

In dark times, it’s important to remember the strength of solidarity and civil society.

When I hear the testimonies of our recipients, I know we’re on the right path!

Colleagues gathered during our retreat in the Swiss Alps