We're feeling the whiplash too...

April 1, 2025

Like so many of you, we’ve been feeling the whiplash.

As we’ve witnessed a literal turning off the lights of U.S. global health and education programs across the world affecting so many of our clients, the news has hit us particularly hard. That’s because we know this work saves and transforms lives. We’ve seen it firsthand.

Over the past seventeen years, we’ve traveled the world to document the work of NGOs, local nonprofits, philanthropists, corporations, and governments — including, yes, USAID.

We’ve witnessed birth. We’ve witnessed death. We’ve sat face-to-face with frontline workers and the people whose lives have been saved.

Time and time again, they’ve entrusted their stories to us to let the world know that these investments matter.

We’re compelled to re-share some of those stories here. What these clients have in common, alongside their demonstrative impact, is that their funding has been drastically cut — or eliminated — over the past few months.

Watch each video below:

The Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)

For EGPAF's Project HEART, we highlighted one of the most successful global health programs in history, PEPFAR, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Fighting for Democracy in Ukraine

National Democratic Institute (NDI)

With NDI, we documented the brave politicians in Ukraine standing up for democracy in 2014, and later profiled courageous journalists fighting against the corrosive effects of disinformation in 2017. Both videos provided early warnings that are prescient to watch now.

The Soft Power of Global Education

RTI International

For RTI, we followed a primary grade teacher and USAID National Teacher Trainer in Kyrgyzstan as she created children's books in local languages where few existed, and mentored other teachers for long-lasting impact.

As we’re bombarded with video and buzzwords like “snackable content,” “impact units,” and “viral,” we can lose sight of what the real purpose is. When it comes to storytelling in this space, real lives are at stake.

Long Story Short was built on our belief that when we produce with intention, our platforms can make a true impact. It’s not just what you make your audiences think — it’s also how you make them feel.

Because of all we’ve seen, this work feels personal to us. And through our work, we hope to make it feel personal to you too.

Sincerely,

The Long Story Short Team

P.S: If you’re looking for ways to make a difference, consider giving a donation to organizations that are desperately trying to fill their funding gaps — like EGPAF to restore essential HIV services to mothers and children, or NDI to support defenders of democracy against the threat of authoritarianism.

Support EGPAF

Support NDI