Last updated on February 15th, 2024 at 02:38 pm
The pandemic disrupted all aspects of our lives, including our health, employment, and financial stability. And yet, millions of people around the world continued sending money home to support loved ones as best they could. These remittances are essential for individuals, families, and entire communities.
June 16 Is International Day of Family Remittances
The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) recognizes the 200+ million migrant workers who send money home to over 800 million family members.
This year, the United Nations theme for IDFR focuses on promoting digital technologies to enhance financial inclusion in low- and middle-income countries, as well as reduce costs for senders. Remittances are essential—and they can also be costly and inefficient. That’s why the UN is emphasizing the importance of digital solutions, which resonates deeply with us here at Remitly.
We strive every day to provide a safe and affordable service for sending money home. Not only that, but we’re continuing to expand our library of financial content created just for immigrants and multinationals.
Your stories matter
As we approach this year’s IDFR, we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of our inspiring customers at Remitly.
They send money for a variety of reasons, most commonly to pay bills, cover basic expenses, fund education, and offset family medical costs.
Supporting daily needs
Teresa hails from Ghana and now lives in the United Kingdom. For 25 years, Teresa has worked for the UK‘s National Health Service (NHS). She uses Remitly to fund her family’s healthcare in Ghana.
Abigail, from the Philippines, helps pay her family’s bills and set aside money for the future. “You never know when an emergency can strike,” she explains. Her work as a teacher in the U.S. helps her support her community of origin—even as she makes her students’ lives better in her new home.
Luz, who was born and raised in Colombia, now works hard in the U.S. to help her family pay for the costs of food, clothing, and utilities. In fact, she uses Remitly to send money home every eight days, no matter what. She says matter-of-factly, “they depend on me, and I am happy to do it.”
Funding for the future
One of our customers from Lucknow, India, regularly sends money home to her mother and three siblings. Her efforts help pay for their education and upkeep of their home. The payments she sends home drive potential, passion, and the opportunity for a more prosperous future for her family.
Paying for family members’ education is a common motivator for remittance senders. Small business owner and Remitly customer Edwin M. came to the U.S. from El Salvador seeking opportunities he didn’t have in his home country. Now, not only does Edwin’s cleaning business employ people in Wyoming, where he lives and pays taxes, but it also makes a big difference for his family back home.
He says, “I am proud of my daughter, who is finishing her university studies to be a teacher. She studies languages in San Salvador, El Salvador. My work here has enabled her to study like I could not.”