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U.S. Government signs grant agreements with Rwandan organizations

The U.S. Embassy hosted a ceremony on Friday, November 14 to award financial assistance to a diverse group of Rwandan organizations under the auspices of the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund.  Ambassador Stuart Symington signed six agreements worth US $40,000 with associations and community-based groups.

In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Symington noted that the grant recipients were partners with the U.S. in the projects, and he encouraged the organizations to continue their community development efforts. He urged all recipients to work hard and benefit from the grants as had previous recipients.

The Ambassador’s Self-Help 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.  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.

Ambassador Stuart Symington speaking to beneficiaries of 2008 Self Help Funds

A beneficiary of 2007 Self Help Fund giving a testimony

The Self-Help Funds represent part of a longstanding partnership, whereby the American people support activities initiated and carried out by Rwandans.   Recipients of the 2008 Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund Grant included the following cooperatives and associations:
  1. Rebero Nice Bread/Rebero Orphan Center, Kigali – Self Help funds will be used to purchase new equipment for the bakery.
  2. Co-operative Des Techniciens de Gicumbi –  Self Help funds will be used for purchasing knitting and sewing machines, supplies and classroom equipment to expand training and output.
  3. DUTI Co-operative, Kayonza district – Self Help funds will be used to purchase bicycle repair supplies for training and a repair shop.
  4. Co-operative Rwandaise Des Arts (CORWAR), Kigali – Self Help funds will be used to purchase sewing machines and art supplies to increase output.
  5. URUGERO Association, Gisenyi – Self Help funds will be used to purchase equipment to expand and improve cheese production and distribution.
  6. Association Des Femmes (ABAHUJE), Ruhango district – Self Help funds will be used to purchase a grain mill.

We are now looking at proposals for 2009 funding.  To submit a proposal you must first receive a copy of the guidelines.  Guidelines can be found at the US Embassy reception and online at http://rwanda.usembassy.gov.   These guidelines will inform you of certain criteria that must be met for the Self-Help coordinator to consider your proposal.  The Self-Help office is available for questions on the last Friday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Embassy.  Questions may be addressed and proposals may be submitted at this time.

A recipient of 2008 Self Help Fund with Ambassador Symington

A Recipient of 2008 Self Help Fund signing a grant

US. Embassy officials. From left to right: DCM Sim, Economic Officer Sokoloff, Ambassador Symington, Self Help Fund Coordinator Reddy, Political/Economic Chief Kaminski and Acting Public Affairs Officer Orrico