Press Releases

U.S. Embassy Awards Grants Worth $135,000 In Support of Community-Based Initiatives

OCTOBER 4, 2007--The U.S. Embassy today awarded financial assistance to a diverse group of Rwandan organizations. Ambassador Michael Arietti signed twelve agreements worth US $75,000 with associations and community-based groups under the auspices of the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund, and three agreements worth $60,000 under the Democracy and Human Rights Fund. 

These funds work to support community initiatives with small grants as a way of responding directly to requests from the Rwandan people.  The recipient organizations are located around the country.  In Nyamasheke, for example, the Association Gira Isuku will use funds to create molds and buy supplies to make soap.  In Kigali, the Association Pour La Valorisation Artisanale Des Papyrus will buy new equipment to make papyrus ceiling panels.  And in Nyarurema, the Animateurs Pastoraux association will use their grant to purchase land and equipment to farm soybeans and make soy milk.

Every project that receives support from the Self-Help Fund requires a contribution from the community, whether it is a local authority granting land to build a workshop or association members providing materials and labor.

The U.S. Ambassadors’ Special Self-Help Program is designed to improve the basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level and is a demonstration of the U.S. Government’s commitment to improve the welfare of the Rwandan people. 

The Self-Help and the Democracy and Human Rights Funds represent part of a longstanding partnership, whereby the American people support activities initiated and carried out by Rwandans.  

2007 Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund Grant Recipients

1. Amizero – Self-Help funds will be used to create a carpentry workshop in Nyamata.

2. Assoc. des Anciens Eleves Soudeurs de l’E.F.P.J – Self-Help funds will be used to create a welding workshop in Kicukiro. 

3. TEKI – RWANDA – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase knitting machines.  In addition, funds will be used to purchase materials needed to knit clothing.

4. Assoc. des Anciens Eleves Soudeurs de l’E.F.P.J – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase machines and materials for a carpentry workshop.

5. Groupement d’Apiculteurs de Kiziguro – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase supplies to construct wooden bee hives for the production of honey.

6. Assoc. Itabaza – Self-Help funds will be used to construct water tanks and improve sanitation through better access to water.

7. Anitmateurs Pastoraux – Self-Help funds will be used for the purchase of land and equipment to grow soybeans, then produce soy milk and tofu.

8. Assoc. Apia Twizerane – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase a specific breed of pig to be cross bred with current pigs.  Resulting pigs should produce better meat and be much larger. 

9. Co-op Amaboko – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase supplies to make traditional baskets and other crafts. 

10. Assoc. Gira Isuku – Self-Help funds will be used to make better soaps through high quality ingredients and molds that produce minimal waste.   Funding will also contribute towards facilities rental.

11. Assoc. Fabrique des Pains – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase electrical stoves to replace the current wood burning stoves. 

12. AVAP – Self-Help funds will be used to purchase materials and new machines for the production of papyrus ceiling panels.  In addition, funding will contribute toward rent of a larger work space.

2007 Democracy and Human Rights Fund Grant Recipients

1. INTERNEWS --Democracy and Human Rights funds will be used make short films in Rwanda about child labor and the promotion of child labor laws.  Funds will also be used to show films around Rwanda on mobile cinema screens.

2. Higher Learning Institute of Ruhengeri--Democracy and Human Rights funds will be used to bring together students and lecturers to debate, discuss and promote human rights.  The project will culminate with a mock human rights trial with a jury comprised of Rwandan human rights experts. 

3. Editions des Mille Collines--Democracy and Human Rights funds will be used to publish and distribute books highlighting children’s rights, unity and reconciliation, health, education and environment.