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.

Dr. Nangialay Ghows Alami used to spend too much time explaining administrative workings to his staff—employees of the Afghan Swiss Medical Institute of Higher Education.

January 2016—Albertina Luís is a community radio journalist in northern Mozambique where, recently, the number of cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls has risen. Despite this trend, survivor reporting rates remain very low due to fear of retaliation and ignorance of survivor rights.

He looked for a program to study IT auditing, then realized none were available in Kosovo. So when he heard about USAID’s Transformational Leadership Program, he applied. The program offers opportunities to study at universities in the United States for a Master’s Degree or a professional certificate.

Nurses in Angola recently discovered a novel way to remember the right combination of drugs to treat HIV. They substituted the lyrics to Frere Jacques, the well-known children’s nursery rhyme, with lyrics pertaining to administration of the medication. Newly trained health workers are now helping more pregnant women living with HIV in rural areas to get the treatment they need.

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.

Ukrainian parents are connecting with each other and proving that, when it comes to improving access to education for children with disabilities, there is strength in numbers.

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