USAID: The American Dream on a Global Scale
There are moments when the world shifts under our feet, and we are left scrambling to make sense of the new landscape. Right now, we are in one of those moments. The dismantling of USAID, the very organization that has, for decades, stood as a bridge of hope between nations, is sending ripples of uncertainty across the globe.
But here at One World, we believe in something stronger than politics: people. And if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s that when institutions change, it is the human spirit that endures. It is communities, small and large, that rise up to continue the work that must be done. Because kindness, compassion, and the drive to heal are not bound by bureaucracies or borders. They are woven into the very fabric of our shared humanity.
When we talk about what makes America great, we often think of its strength and resilience. But true greatness isn’t just measured in power—it’s measured in how we use that power to lift others up. USAID has embodied that spirit for over 60 years, advancing America’s interests not through force, but through empathy, innovation, and connection.
USAID has not only provided life-saving assistance abroad, but it has also directly benefited Americans, particularly American farmers. Through programs like Food for Peace, surplus crops grown in the U.S. are sent to countries in crisis, feeding millions while also supporting American agriculture. These efforts create jobs, stabilize global markets, and prevent the kind of economic and political unrest that can lead to conflicts affecting U.S. interests.
Beyond food aid, USAID opens doors for American businesses, strengthens global trade partnerships, and enhances national security by building alliances through trust rather than tension. It’s not a transaction, a long-game strategy, one that makes America safer and more prosperous by ensuring stability in places that might otherwise become hotspots for conflict.
Hope is Not a Government Program; It’s People
While the headlines may be depressing, the stories happening behind the scenes tell a different tale. Across the world, grassroots organizations, medical volunteers, and everyday citizens are stepping in to fill the gaps.
Take Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), which has long provided healthcare in conflict zones, regardless of political shifts. Or the International Rescue Committee, which has helped refugees rebuild their lives with dignity and care. These organizations remind us that while governments may change, the mission of compassion does not.
And then there are the unsung heroes. The doctors, nurses, and humanitarian workers who refuse to let the loss of funding stop them. People like Dr. Aisha Yusuf in Kenya, who continues to treat patients with limited resources because, as she says, “Hope doesn’t run on government budgets; it runs on love.”
One World: A Call to Action
At One World, we believe that unity is more than just an idea; It is an action. And so, in the wake of USAID’s uncertain future, we ask: How will we step up?
We can start small. Support organizations that are picking up where USAID left off. Advocate for continued funding of global health initiatives. Share the stories of those who are fighting every day to keep hope alive.
Most importantly, we must remember that no policy can erase the bonds that connect us. The work of healing, of lifting one another up, belongs to all of us. And no matter what governments do, our One World remains.
Because when borders close, hearts must open.