Speaking of USAID stickers...
I've just received some interesting tidbits from my consulting teammates about The Brand. Apparently about 6 or 7 years ago USAID went ballistic with stickering everything and created a several-hundred-page document with minute details about branding and marketing. It even includes prescriptions for how large other organizational logos can be in comparison to USAID on a document. Everything has to be stickered, and I do mean everything.
I like Billie's question about weirdest places you've seen the stickers. I think we should start posting photos of USAID stickers in odd locations. So far the strangest thing I've seen here is a bunch of bags of cement on the street with the logo. Although actually everything in the dorms we are staying in is labeled too, including the bunkbeds, cabinets, and washing machine. Thank goodness for those nice folks at USAID, or I wouldn't have any clean clothes right now.
It occurred to me the other day as we were driving down to the Lake that this is the first time I've been in a country that is a USAID baby. Or maybe it's just the first time I've noticed it. But it's a little disconcerting to see all the billboards and stickers everywhere. I feel like we're only a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from having villages sponsored by Reebok or RightGuard.
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3 comments:
I like the way you think Jessie.
Good thing we're in the same group.
I like the picture of a Reebok sponsored development project... no food, dirty water, and AWESOME basketball kicks. Who's seen The Air Up There? Kevin Bacon was in that, but not really anyone else so it's no good for 6 degrees.
Think of "This community brought to you BYYYYY MEnnen" (caaaastanza)
Rumor has it that a certain NGO in Africa had a happy hour in the office, during which staff found the roll of USAID stickers and ensured that any visitors would know that the toilet facilities were brought to them by the American people.
--Denise, who is no way affiliated with such an NGO, nor with people who would affix USAID stickers to bottles of alcohol and other items disallowed by A-133 circulars.
The space heater in the guest house where I'm staying in South Africa has a USAID sticker on it. Keeps me warm at night :)
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