I was hired by SENADA which was a USAID Indonesian project to assist handicraft manufacturers in Java. I helped them create sustainability profiles to better compete with less eco-friendly Chinese competitors. It was only a 60-day consultancy for me but it was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I cherish still today. The work we did was important then and would be still. To scapegoat this agency is beyond cruel. It upsets me to no end. Thank you for writing this.
Like you, I had already retired from USAID before last year's boom fell. But it affected my husband, and so many around us in the DMV, directly. For me, I draw some comfort from the efforts of several groups of young people that have cropped up to promote the future of foreign aid and the role of US soft power. The world will turn and we'll find our best selves again.
I was hired by SENADA which was a USAID Indonesian project to assist handicraft manufacturers in Java. I helped them create sustainability profiles to better compete with less eco-friendly Chinese competitors. It was only a 60-day consultancy for me but it was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I cherish still today. The work we did was important then and would be still. To scapegoat this agency is beyond cruel. It upsets me to no end. Thank you for writing this.
Like you, I had already retired from USAID before last year's boom fell. But it affected my husband, and so many around us in the DMV, directly. For me, I draw some comfort from the efforts of several groups of young people that have cropped up to promote the future of foreign aid and the role of US soft power. The world will turn and we'll find our best selves again.
Beautiful piece. It brought these Paul Simon lyrics to mind.”
“”We come on the ship they call The Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age's most uncertain hours
And sing an American tune
Oh, and it's alright, it's alright, it's alright
You can't be forever blessed