To the Editor:
My father, Charles Green, called Malibu home from 1985 until he passed away at the age of 93 in 2011. Before settling there, he dedicated over two decades to his work with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His career took him from Colombia and the Dominican Republic to Peru, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Liberia. In each of these countries, he was instrumental in advancing education by training teachers and administrators, constructing new schools, updating curricula, and even bringing lessons to remote areas via radio. He also helped set up community colleges, broadening access to higher education for many students.
Today, figures like Elon Musk label the agency as “criminal,” yet it’s made up of people like my father. I realize that not everyone is aware of the impact we risk losing with USAID under threat. Without it, vital initiatives such as improving educational access, delivering medical treatment and vaccines, controlling disease outbreaks, and providing emergency food and shelter disappear.
Apart from the distress of seeing an organization my father cherished being unjustly maligned, there’s a broader constitutional concern. Allowing billionaires to dismantle USAID undermines the authority of Congress. It’s crucial we don’t let this happen.
Marilyn Green, Malibu
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To the Editor:
Having lived and worked extensively in the developing world, the positive impact of American foreign aid through USAID is crystal clear to me. During my time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad and Malawi, I witnessed these benefits firsthand. My father worked at the University of Malawi’s Polytechnic in the 1960s, a project partly enabled by USAID support.
Unfortunately, I now see our nation’s once generous spirit turning towards cruelty and misguidance. It’s truly disheartening.
Fred Barker, Burbank
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To the Editor:
A recent news clip of Elon Musk, striding confidently through our nation’s Capitol with his child perched on his shoulders, is hard to forget. But as he attempts to dismantle USAID through unlawful means, he symbolically shoulders the plight of malnourished and sick children worldwide.
Mr. Musk, are you still proud? And how will your children perceive you when they understand the depth of your actions?
Mary Proteau, Los Angeles
