Even though the United States leads in many areas, there’s still a lot we could pick up from developing countries. These nations have come up with smart solutions to common problems, like mobile money systems in Kenya and community health approaches in Brazil. Here are thirteen lessons that we could learn from “third world” countries. These would totally change life in America!
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Kenya’s Mobile Money
In Kenya, they’ve figured out mobile money with M-Pesa. This service lets people transfer cash using just a basic cellphone & simple text messages—that’s quite different from over here! Now, M-Pesa processes billions of transactions every year and people use it to pay bills & send money without ever stepping into a bank.
Bringing Healthcare Right to the Doorstep
Brazil has something called the Family Health Strategy where community health workers go straight to people’s homes to provide basic medical care & advice. It’s quite important for people who might not make it to clinics because they’re too far away or too busy. In doing so, Brazil has improved overall health across the country. Healthcare is far more accessible for everyone.
Speaking Multiple Languages from Day One
In countries like India & Nigeria, kids grow up learning multiple languages right from the start. At school, they might speak their native language—but they also learn regional tongues & English or French. It’s a lot! With this multilingual education, they can communicate with many different people. They’re comfortable in several languages by the time they’re adults.
Efficient Bus Systems in Bogotá
Bogotá has completely changed city travel with the TransMilenio bus system. These buses have dedicated lanes so they speed through traffic while everyone else is stuck in jams. Best of all, buses arrive every few minutes. Commuters can get around quickly & cheaply without relying on their own cars—that’s quite different from our car culture.
Tight-Knit Communities Supporting Each Other
In many African and Asian countries, community is most important of all and people often live close to extended family. Neighbors feel like part of the family too! It used to be that way here in America but our sense of community has mostly disappeared. Honestly, it’s a shame because we could all do with having strong bonds and never feeling alone.
Traditional Farming Keeps Soil Healthy
Many small-scale farmers in Ethiopia follow time-tested farming methods that are great for the land. For example, they practice crop rotation & change what they plant in a field each season. This keeps the soil nutrients balanced. Instead of relying on chemical fertilizers, they use natural ones like compost or manure. It’s sustainable farming to the max and we could learn from this!
Embracing Urban Agriculture
Cities like Havana, Cuba, have made urban farming an important source of fresh produce. Residents have turned vacant lots & rooftops into gardens where they can grow fruits and vegetables. In doing so, they’ve improved local food security while reducing their reliance on imports. Urban farms also make green spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Costa Rica’s Green Energy Success
Costa Rica is the poster child for renewable energy as they power their country almost entirely on it! During some years, they’ve run for over 300 days straight on 100% renewable energy. It has reduced their carbon emissions & their reliance on imported fossil fuels—that’s great for the economy. The green energy sector has also created numerous jobs.
Traditional Healing Practices
Many Chinese & Indian communities still take traditional medicine quite seriously. They’ll use Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine (including herbs and specific diets) to keep their bodies and minds in balance. Some people use it alongside modern medicine—and sometimes instead of it! In doing so, they’ve preserved their cultural heritage.
Innovative Water Harvesting Techniques
Speaking of India, many farmers use traditional methods to capture and store rainwater. For example, they’ll build small earthen dams called “johads” that collect runoff during the monsoon season. Although they’re simple structures, johads are rather useful during dry spells. And in places like Rajasthan, villagers have turned arid land into fertile fields.
Innovating with Limited Resources
While resources might be tight in Nigeria, entrepreneurs have created some seriously clever solutions. For example, in Lagos, places like Co-Creation Hub help startups deal with local problems and they’ve helped make the internet more affordable. People here take whatever’s available and turn it into something that helps their communities. You don’t need lots of money to make a big difference—just great ideas & determination.
Taking Life at a Relaxed Pace
People in the Pacific Islands tend to take it easy & enjoy life at a slower pace. Instead of constantly chasing after money, they prioritize spending quality time with family & friends. It’s miles away from American culture! They value the simple things. For them, how much you have is nowhere near as important as who you share your life with.
Tourism That Benefits Locals
Lots of people in Nepal support community-based tourism where travelers stay with local families in villages. It gives them a real experience of Nepalese culture—sharing meals, participating in daily activities & joining in festivals. Better yet, the money tourists spend goes straight to the community. Everyone benefits from that!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.