According to The Economist, first world governments spent over $100 billion on development assistance in 2005. An additional $11.1 billion came from private charities. Estimates of total expenditures on foreign aid over that last five decades top $2.3 trillion.William Easterly, NYU professor and formerly of the World Bank, laments that
...this is really the scandal of our generation, that all this money has been spent on foreign aid and yet, in any meaningful sense, this money never reached the desperate poor.
In a recent lecture published by the Heritage Foundation, Easterly outlines a vision for more responsive and responsible foreign aid providers. He uses the acronym “CIAO” and calls for
Customer feedback
Incentives
Accountability
Outcomes
The Habele Outer Island Education Fund aims to be such an organization. We have no paid employees. All board members are fluent in native Micronesian languages, and have lived and taught in the islands. We work closely with community leaders and awardees to pursue local goals. Our scholarships empower students to attend and complete school, laying the framework for truly sustainable and long term development. We review each award at the end of every grading period. For more information, and to learn how you can help in our summer tuition drive, please visit habele.org.
