US Embassy Disburses D290, 000 to Communities

The United States Ambassador, Barry L. Wells, on Friday presented cheques amounting to D290, 000 to three communities in The Gambia.

The money is going to support projects in garden fencing in Bumari and provision of milling machines to two communities in Jappineh and Bassending. The funding is part of the US Department of State's Ambassadors Self Help Program.

Bumari Women's Garden received D50, 000; Jappineh Women's Group received D125, 000, while Bassending Women's Society received D115, 000.

In presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries, Ambassador Wells said the money is to invigorate and support members of Gambian communities to invest in the economic growth and development of the country.

"Our objective is to provide greater economic opportunity and assist in community development," he said.

He said the Ambassador's Special Self-Help Fund was established in Malawi in 1966, as a way to address urgent development needs at the community level.

He revealed that from the year 2000 to 2007, the U.S Government has funded 110 self help development project with a total funding of US$754, 100.

He revealed that there are other development programs that go along with the Ambassador's special Self Help Program, such as the Democracy in Human Rights Fund, the Ambassador's Girls Scholarship Fund, the Taft Fund for Refugees and the Ambassador's fund for Cultural Preservation, that he said are all aimed at helping the social and economic development of The Gambia.