Press Items

Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program

Seven Communities Receive Self-Help Funds

A signing ceremony for this year’s Self-Help Grants was held on September 20, 2005, at the Ambassador’s residence.  This year's projects include the refurbishment of a school in Essassa, the construction of a community center in Cap-Esterias, the construction of a brick-making workshop in Port-Gentil, the acquisition of agricultural tools for female farmers in the Haut Ogooué province, the implementation of a bee-hive project, support for the Pygmies in the northeastern provinces, and the purchasing of several grind mills to increase manioc production in a farming cooperative. The 7 projects range from USD $2,500 to USD $5,000, and are all in direct response to the initiative and aspirations of the local communities.  The projects chosen involve a significant local contribution in cash, labor, or material, and are within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain. Although the Self-Help projects require minimum levels of financing, they have a great impact for improving the lives of local communities.

The US Embassy's Ambassadors’ Special Self-Help Program in Sub-Saharan Africa is a small grants program designed to directly finance small community projects that promise to have immediate impact. The overall purpose of the Special Self-Help Program is to show that the United States cares for the welfare of the African people and is interested in the self-help endeavors of local communities. The aim of the program is to improve the basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level.