What is really going on in the Millennium Villages?

These are selected villages where Jeff Sachs' ideas are being tried out.  Does a large scale infusion of resources to finance complementary investments in public health, education, infrastructure and agrcultural technologies produce an escape from the poverty trap, as Sachs has argued it will?  It is unclear to what extent the lessons from these villages can be generalized, but it is still interesting to know what is going on.

A piece by Sam Rich in the Wilson Quarterly provides a valuable peek inside one of these villages, Sauri in Kenya.  Rich admits at the outset that he is a skeptic. His bottom line:

Villagers are clearly enjoying better health as a result of the project. The simple extension of a school feeding program has improved students’ performance and could serve as a model for schools across Africa. The clinic has transformed health care: The incidence of malaria has decreased, family planning has increased, and soon anti-retroviral treatments will be available to people with HIV and AIDS. But when the project ends, the funds for the clinic and the doctor, the mosquito nets, and the anti-retrovirals will dry up. In three years, the Kenyan government will face the difficult choice between continuing to fund one model clinic in Sauri or cutting the budget considerably.

And Sauri still must contend with the divisions that are typical throughout Kenya: between ethnic groups, men and women, young and old. Witchcraft was employed to influence the outcome of the elections. The practice of wife inheritance remains common, indicative of a wider set of gender issues. These kinds of cultural problems can’t be solved with handouts, but only with subtler interventions.

This is not to say that Sauri cannot change, or that investment in the village is wasted. But if Sauri is to become a useful model for development on a bigger scale, and not just another development expert’s white elephant, Sachs and others working on the project must acknowledge that they are still learning about Africa. Sauri is not yet a ­success.  

Rich found that many of the local critics of the project are afraid to talk openly, and would not give their names or insist on anonymity. 

Stay tuned for the Sachs response, which will no doubt arrive soon.

UPDATE: Nina Munk also has a long article about Sachs and the Millennium Villages in Vanity Fair. It is considerably more complimentary. This bit caught my attention:

Still, if you spend enough time with Sachs, as I have, you may come around to his point of view: if the history of international development is a history of failure, it is because too many people in the field are complacent, or incompetent, or not accountable.

Hmmm. It is worth a read if nothing else for its account of Sachs' meeting with President Museveni of Uganda.

Comments

[VanStokkom]

Having visited Sauri in november 2006 I can see the enthusiasm of people involved. Changes being achieved. But can it be done without Sachs, Jolie and the world watching. I asked a Sauri citizen. He immediately shared my doubt on that but said that he was happy with everybody watching and supporting..... I would if was living in Sauri. But can Jack and Jill in Mundika do it. Can they get local government moving on electricity, roads and more. Not without millennium money and everybody watching.
This 'experiment' should have been done without all the media attention etc. The it could have delivered proof of concept. Not this way I am afraid.

http://vanstokkom.blogspot.com/2007/03/rapid-victories-against-extreme-poverty.html

[Justin Rietz]

On the one hand, I truly hope Sach's projects are successful and lead the way for long-term poverty reduction.

However, I hold the same fears as Rich. If there isn't organic economic growth with solid foundational changes occurring from within, it will be difficult to sustain.

I'm reminded of the "model" communities in communist Eastern Europe that were propped up by government funding - they quickly crumbled once the government could no longer afford to support them.

[Egidio Vaz]

Dear Professor,
Im Egidio Vaz from Mozambique. Reseracher (historian) at southern african research and documentation centre-sardc, Maputo, Mozambique.
I really appreciate the way you write on african underdevelopment. I remember once, you have been in Mozambique. But thats another story.
I'd like to comment on Sachs ideias. We also have millenium villages in Mozambique. Actually there is only one, in the southern mozambique. But sachs ideias are to increase to a number on 11!
Our short experience on these Millenium Villages is that they are to be unsustainable in a long term perspective. The way sachs thinks to pull us out of poverty is unsustainable as well. Although I recognise that the core thesis of sachs is that there should be more initial financial and infrastructural investiment on poor people, Im doughtfull wether this should also be done to the governments!
There are a lot of examples of villages in Mozambique which have been under certain NGO "administration". During those days, people were really happy and healthy. But when the project ended...everybody begun insulting the government, accusing it of chasing good people! Otherwise WE TURN POOR COUNTRIES IN MILLENIUNM COUNTRIES!
Have a nice day Mr Rodrik.

[Ktwdawg]

I can see a few concepts being proven here. The data show that this specific application of financial aid can improve a wide range of metrics on social welfare. It also disproves the notion that this type of aid is viable for global application.
So, how do we reproduce the first result in spite of the second, and on a global scale? There are a few possible choices I can see from my distant view of development economics, including the dedication to consolidate global foreign aid under a single program. To put all our eggs in one basket. The problem with that is deciding which basket is the best. The other option is more of a tangent which could be developed into a solution: the use of micro-loans, organized through a central global aid administration to provide information and direct investments. I understand that this is already being done somewhere on a private site.
In any case, I don't think that this experiment was useless or even disappointing- it seems a crucial piece in the development puzzle.

[Egidio Vaz]

"In any case, I don't think that this experiment was useless or even disappointing- it seems a crucial piece in the development puzzle."
-The problem, then, is that these programmes are time-consuming and very expensive. Their outcomes are, oftem, disapointing and in the long run, they demoralize others.
Id rather agree with your previous point:"he use of micro-loans, organized through a central global aid administration to provide information and direct investments".
If there is something we need to change rapidly...
Sachs ideias should change now and recall that they're not new.

[Peter]

Here's what I don't get about the Millennium Village concept. We know that human capital investments (health, education) are highly productive on average, almost bankable -- but they take many years, sometimes even a generation or more, to reach their full effect. One very important issue concerns personal incentives for investment and skill development. Improving health prospects (reducing the devastating random impact of adverse health events) can increase perceived returns and contribute to a generally stronger sense of agency. But this depends on an expectations horizon measured in decades, not a few years of donor frenzy.

Isn't this obvious? Doesn't the invest-in-people approach, which is correct, require long run sustainability?

[Egídio Vaz]

Yes, it requires but I cant see this objective in Sachs programmes. Millenium Villages are close to their end. They may take a decade or less. But, let us agree, these are just examples of what many of poor are requiring. So, I cant see any novelty in hisideas.
You know, poors know what they need quite well.What´s happening in Millenium Villages is waht really should be taking place everywhere in poss countries. I see no joke in creating ghettoes within communties.

[Ktwdawg]

"The problem, then, is that these programmes are time-consuming and very expensive. Their outcomes are, oftem, disapointing and in the long run, they demoralize others."
I understand your point of view and cannot then argue with any of your points. It is always difficult to quench the guilt and regret that accompany a circumscribed social experiment. Even if it works perfectly for the selected community and proves well the thesis of the economist, the experiment is still limited to that one community, and there is frustration for the surrounding region. Because you live there and witness the everyday effects, these feelings are magnified ten-fold to fill your field of vision.
From the outside, however, and in the larger context, there are benefits to the experiment- as there always are, failed or not. What we should take away is what I mentioned earlier- that the premise of the Mil.Vil's is accurate and works- but also, as pete noted, the scale of the experiment nor its base infrastructure are adequate to the task as a universal. We must then look to the next step of expanding the programs and finding viable funding for extended periods. The time-horizon is a very important function. I still think the idyllic formula would be to centralize world-aid donations, state, private, and corporate, and to direct those resources in a manner proven to gain results.

[bob]

I find the comments useful in that they higlight one of the major problems in development - sustainability of projects (As picked up by most responses here).

I find the point on withcraft influencing elections absolutely pointless.

Also the conclusion - Sachs et al has a lot to learn about Africa - again says nothing to me.

Sachs is an easy target. But he has played an important role in creating deabte about what level of aid should be given. I like most economists think the focus should be on the long-term effectiveness of aid rather than the level. However, when you have worked out in Africa for any length of time you realise how difficult this all is and become willing to support any positive contribution to the status quo. This may not lead to a rigorous policy approach - but as Keynes said in the long run we are all dead and believe while we wait for policy with the appropriate rigour etc. in the field a lot of people end up dead

[VanStokkom]

p.s.

more reading available on development assistance through brand new discussion papers from the Dutch Ministry of Development assistance:

http://vanstokkom.blogspot.com/2007/06/rich-menu-for-poor.html

[digital dissertation]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!

[Dissertation Writer]

Hi,
Congratulations Dany on having such a useful site. I have found your article interesting but the title is reflecting your view point flawlessly. Superb! Way to go!

[Coursework help]

Hi,
Nice post! You have worked hard on jotting down the essential information. Thanks for sharing this work with us. More likely to see more in future, thanks again for sharing.

[Assignment Help]

Hi,
I truly enjoyed reading it. Waiting for some more great articles like this from you in the coming days

[Essay Writing]

Hi,
Very distinctive work. Your writing style is impressive. Thanks for sharing your views.

[Essay Help]

Hi,
That’s a wonderful stuff to read out. I liked your writing style which is professional and interesting.

[windblower]

I'm following quite closely (through the internet)what's going on at these MV projects - it's certainly interesting, but here are a couple of things I've observed;
1.In spite of the lofty ambitions of MPGs to halve extreme poverty by 2015, this is an open-ended village model out of necessity - because the authors don't really know what its going to take to make these villages self-sustaining. Sachs ha s already admitted that 5 years is not sufficient, what about 10 years, or 20 years? Do we just go on and on? I suspect not and the model should be adapted to reflect more practical and targeted self-sustainable models.
2. As far as I can tell, there are no financial accounts (audited or unaudited) published on any of the websites, meaning we don't really know what are the real costs. Until we know these, it is impossible to set any thoughts on costs against the ambitions of budgeting $120 per capita per year for the beneficiaries. We are not even told whether this is direct cash or in-kind contributions, meaning salaries and pen-pushing activities of government or UN employees. And what about highly paid consultants, are they part of the $120?
3. What all of this tells me is that there is a great lack of transparency going on. Sure, there are some very useful reports available but nothing that ties the debate together on this poverty experiment - how long it needs to last in order to achieve its objectives and how much it’s going to cost.
4. Goal 8 of the millennium goals is to develop global partnerships for development - based on the lack of transparency so far I see very little that would encourage global partnerships.

[rolex watches]

This is clearly replica watches the job for our legal fraternity to engage the establishment to necessary breitling watches steps by filing petitions in various courts. IF one fails another should be cartier watches filed taking every one to task. It is rolex watches useless to suggest ways and means to solve tag heuer watches the day to day problem to well paid employees tissot watches of government controlled establishments. Only active omega watches judiciary will resolve this problem.
http://www.watchvisa.com
http://www.watchvisa.com/breitling-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/cartier-watches.html

[rado watches]

Why is everyone just montblanc watches willing to accept power cuts? Don't you think that patek philippe watches having continious power is your right? If people aren't going to demand rado watches 24X7 power, don't expect anything zenith watches to change. The government needs to look at other sources parmigiani watches of power generation. The only solution is more power panerai watches production. Nothing less.
http://www.watchvisa.com/montblanc-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/patek_philippe-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/rado-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/tudor-watches.html

[bvlgari watches]

They should take up building BVLGARI Watches dams for power generation. We should FRANCK MULLER watches learn from china. They have the world's largest dam for power CHANEL Watches production, it alone produces 22,000 MW of LONGINES Watch power. So, unless the government opens up the economy more for iwc watches foreign investors, this power cut problem is a life long disease every hublot-watches india will need to face.
http://www.watchvisa.com/bvlgari-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/chanel-watches.html
http://www.watchvisa.com/franck_muller-watches.html

[rolex watches]

People usually say :"Seeing is believing." http://www.tt88times.com
Each attempt has a corresponding gain, in part or obvious, or vague. At least we have the kind of satisfaction After I bought this watch ,in a sense,it means a great deal to me. http://www.fashionhairfu.com

[tiffany jewelry]

At present this season's jewelry!

[replica handbags]

So, some tip about this issue are welcome and really sorry if my question is very simple. Thanks in advance

[Moncler]

I am a senior student, I Love your blog as i love study english, I learn much from this post, i ths very much.

[mbt shoes]

I am a senior student too, I Love this post as i love study english, This article is to my feelings, thanks for your sharing, hoping to see more useful content.

[authentic jordans]

I think this is a great post. One thing that I find the most helpful is number five. Sometimes when I write, I just let the flow of the words and information come out so much that I loose the purpose. It’s only after editing when I realize what I’ve done. There’s defiantly a lot of great tips here I’m going to try to be more aware of.

[jordan shoes]

It's good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, than now i have the link which i was looking for my research.

[Moncler]

The web of losses that you describe in NC are offset by a web of gains in Boston. Restrict trade, and I pay more for my socks, do not eat dinner in Boston, and the web of losses you described in NC happens in Boston

[Account Deleted]

raf

Thanks so much.

[Account Deleted]

It seems like the project is stuck between a rock and a hard place here. On the one hand, it has been criticised for insufficient attention to the views of local people.

Web Application Development
Website Design Services

[Account Deleted]

celikraf
celikraf

Thanks ... I like it ;)

[Account Deleted]

Raf
raf

Thanks to you ...

[Account Deleted]

Many places and centers offer business and trade promotions to both buyers and supplier.What about the differences in skill intensities across industries? The job losses in the relatively unskilled-labor intensive battery industry should have little effect on the relatively skilled-labor intensive machinery
sexshop
sexyshop
sexshop online

[Account Deleted]

Thanks for the informative writing. Would mind updating some good tips about it. I still wait your next place. ;)

organic seo service

[Account Deleted]

This self quote brings us to another way of looking at this as the issue of what happens when Police States try to prevent trade between consenting adults.

Web Videos

[orjin krem]

I've also learned that there's a new kid on the block that sounds just like my eldest son because just yesterday he was screaming his lungs Elektrikli Ev Aletleri ütüler Ev Mutfak Malzemeleri blender mutfak robotu mikser kıyma makinesi doğrayıcı rondo fritöz parfüm markaları