📚 This is an archive of Aid Thoughts, a development economics blog that was active from 2009 to 2017. Posts and comments are preserved in their original form.

Awards of the day

Worst unintended consequences: Scholarships for virgins in Sierra Leone. Turns out many of the girls were raped and impregnated as punishment for receiving the exclusive scholarships. [From AFRICA IS A COUNTRY]

Runner-up for unintended consequences #1: Egypt's indefensible, blatantly political extermination of its pig population comes back to bite it when they discover that there be no more pigs to eat all their garbage. [Global Health Blog]

Runner-up for unintended consequences #2: Think twice before you fund an orphanage in Eeeefrica. [GIANE]

Worst paper headline, ever: We can't abandon Africa to cannibalism and genocide [WR]

Best joke about to the worst paper headline: “We can’t abandon West Virginia to feuds and incest.”

Strangest political Tweeter ever: Is Paul Kagame really on twitter? .

Yucky feeling deep down inside award: The murmurs are growing louder - is microfinance really just a fad?

Special late assignment award: the IMF reviews Dead Aid

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