David Elliot says: As Peace Corps director in Nigeria (1965-66) and in India (1966-68), and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Poland in the 1990s, I witnessed disappointments but also dramatic accomplishments from foreign assistance



David Elliot says: As Peace Corps director in Nigeria (1965-66) and in India (1966-68), and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Poland in the 1990s, I witnessed disappointments but also dramatic accomplishments from foreign assistance

Foreign aid pays off

The San Francisco Chronicle
May 15, 2005

Editor - Thank you for the excellent article on Jeffrey Sachs ("Economist urges Americans to do more to fight world poverty," May 8). As Peace Corps director in Nigeria (1965-66) and in India (1966-68), and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Poland in the 1990s, I witnessed disappointments but also dramatic accomplishments from foreign assistance. The investment in the plan Sachs advocates is extremely modest.

The likely rewards are huge - for the entire world. It is an inexpensive venture compared to commitments such as the Iraq war and occupation.

DAVID H. ELLIOTT
Marshall (Marin County)

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May 7, 2005: This Week's Top Stories "Peace Corps Online" on recess until May 21 7 May Carol Bellamy taking the reins at World Learning 7 May Gopal Khanna appointed White House CFO 7 May Clare Bastable named Conservationist of the Year 7 May Director Gaddi Vasquez visits PCVs in Bulgaria 5 May Abe Pena sets up scholarship fund 5 May Peace Corps closes recruiting sites 4 May Hill pessimistic over Korean nuclear program 4 May Leslie Hawke says PC should split into two organizations 4 May Peace Corps helps students find themselves 3 May Kevin Griffith's Tsunami Assistance Project collects 50k 3 May Tim Wright studied Quechua at UCLA 2 May Doyle not worried about competition 2 May Dodd discusses President's Social Security plan 1 May Randy Mager works in Blue Moon Safaris 1 May PCVs safe in Togo after disputed elections 30 Apr Michael Sells teaches Islamic History and Literature 28 Apr

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May 7, 2005: Special Events "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 Leland Foerster opens photo exhibition at Cal State RPCV Writers scholarship in Baltimore - deadline June 1 Gary Edwards' music performed in Idaho on May 24 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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