Transforming Lives

Speeches Shim

Every day, all over the world, USAID brings peace to those who endure violence, health to those who struggle with sickness, and prosperity to those who live in poverty. It is these individuals — these uncounted thousands of lives — that are the true measure of USAID’s successes and the true face of USAID's programs.

Sheer Mohammad had been looking for a job for a long time. But he didn’t have any skills, so he felt forced to cultivate illegal crops and work in poppy fields in Kandahar, Afghanistan, to support his family.

Women from five cities in western Côte d'Ivoire took to the streets last fall to promote harmony before the October presidential election. Their marches, which involved hundreds of participating women and thousands of spectators, conveyed a central strong message: Regardless of people’s political allegiances, the region is committed to peace.

In Côte d'Ivoire, soccer is a national obsession—as well as a way to educate youth about avoiding conflict and how to take part in peaceful elections.

In 2009, about 25,000 residents lost their homes in floods, and many more were affected by the disaster. Since 2013, an annual drought has plagued the region and its 500,000 inhabitants. Crops and livestock have suffered. In a province where 80 percent of the population raises cattle, this is a serious threat to livelihoods.

Mozambique’s young democracy needs its citizens to be better informed about issues like the environment, health, climate change and economic growth. Citizens must be able to hold their leaders accountable with facts.

It’s bad enough to be an internally displaced person fleeing for your life in Nigeria. But to be a female on the run with seven children between the ages of 1 month and 13 years is unimaginable.

Quiet and clean, e-trikes are all the rage on the streets of Borocay Island in the Philippines. These electric-powered bikes are replacing ubiquitous gasoline-operated tricycles that are one of the main sources of transportation

Tania Khatun and her family have seen their quality of life improve at the flip of a switch. No longer in the dark, she and her children are enjoying cooler nights and more enjoyable and productive evenings thanks to the sun’s rays collected through new solar panels.

Sima Sajadi, a 25-year-old high school teacher, attended a training in Kabul in April on best teaching methods. Twenty-two private school teachers, both employed and those searching for work, attended the training. The teachers study active, practical teaching methods like role-playing, discussion groups, brainstorming and networking.

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