For the past couple of weeks, I have been deeply troubled by the misinformation and attacks on one of the country’s most valuable foreign policy assets, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Trump Administration is systematically shutting down USAID by ordering foreign assistance funding to be frozen for three months and is now slashing the USAID workforce. My colleagues have written about what cuts in funding and the catastrophic impact this will have for children around the world. As someone who has dedicated my career to advocating for children and families, I also cannot remain silent while the critical work of USAID is undermined.

During my tenure at the State Department, I championed policies and systems designed to protect children and families. One of my most memorable experiences was traveling to Uganda for a forum on the state of the Ugandan child. This forum marked the culmination of an 18-month collaborative effort to improve the lives of Ugandan children that involved the Ugandan government, civil society, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), and USAID. At that time, 55% of Ugandan children under the age of 5 lived in poverty and a staggering 75% had experienced some form of violence, statistics revealed through surveys funded in part by USAID and the President’s Emergency Action Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

While on my trip, I encountered an 18-month-old girl named Grace* at an orphanage run by Catholic nuns. Grace clung to me, seeking the kind of one-on-one attention that is often scarce in orphanages. She fiddled with my hair in her tiny hands until falling asleep in my arms. Her behavior, while heartwarming, was also a warning sign of her deep need for individual care and love.

Grace had been brought to the orphanage after her mother’s death. Thanks to training provided by NGOs, the orphanage staff made efforts to locate Grace’s family rather than allowing her to languish in the orphanage. They found her father and his family. With support, training, and a transition plan, Grace was set to return home with her father in two days. This meant she would have the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing and loving family environment rather than an orphanage. 

The collaborative efforts of the Ugandan government and USAID to enhance the well-being of children like Grace gave me hope. By helping Ugandan children reach their full potential, we were combating extreme poverty, stimulating economic growth, fostering goodwill toward the United States, and contributing to a more peaceful world. We need to stand up for children like Grace. We need to fight for the work of USAID.

*name changed for privacy