AID is effective

AID's holistic vision has enabled it to appreciate and internalize powerful tools for bringing out change, such as campaigning against corruption, in addition to constructive and creative work through various projects.

To give an example, AID has funded alternate energy projects such as solar, wind, micro-hydro and pedal power to light up homes and schools in villages. Typically it costs AID about $100-$200 to bring electricity to an unelectrified household through such project work. Thus to bring lights to 1000 households, it takes $150,000 or so.

On the other hand in Srikakulam district villages, nearly a 1000 households got electricity via AID, after people fought the Rs 1000-2000 bribes that officials in the electricity department were taking. A day wage laborer earning Rs 60-80 per day can pay the electricity bill of Rs 40 per month (typical for rural households with one tube light), but not the initial connection bribe and this was the bottle neck that AID understood and fought against.

Through out the AID site you will find both projects and campaigns, an approach that causes large scale transformation, due to its sheer efficiency. Your support as donors and involvement as volunteers goes a much longer distance the AID way.