On
September 21, the U.S. Embassy held a signing ceremony granting over 2.5
million dalasis to 10 community groups throughout The Gambia.
The
money was given as part of the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH)
programme.
This
community-driven assistance programme allows the U.S. Embassy to respond to
local requests for small development projects.
These
programmes directly impact people’s lives in a positive way and highlight the
partnership between the Gambian and American people.
The
SSH programme encourages communities to be self-reliant and continue related
activities on their own in the future.
All SSH projects are community-based, locally initiated, administered at
the local level and include significant community contributions in cash,
labour, or materials.
Responding
to almost 250 proposals received from groups throughout The Gambia, the U.S.
Embassy selected 10 communities for funding during the 2016/2017 funding
cycle.
Three
projects in the North Bank Region, Central River Region, and Upper River region
will help ensure a safe drinking water supply for the communities of Kerr Ali,
Manna Village, and Kulukulleh.
Four
communities in the North Bank Region, Upper River Region, and West Coast Region
were awarded money for construction projects ranging from fencing for a school
and community orchard; a community shed and market; and culverts between
Tinkinjo and Sabou Sire villages. The
community of Jamagen Village in CRR will build a health post, including solar
electricity. Fellengkoto Jokere Endam in
LRR will purchase a coos milling machine, and Maantaabeng in the West Coast
Region will use its award to develop youth livelihood skills for a better and
more prosperous economic future.
U.S.
Embassy Banjul also granted 1.1 million dalasis from the Julia Taft Refugee
Fund to the Gambia Food and Nutrition Association to support the large refugee
population within the Fonis, in the West Coast Region of The Gambia.
These
refugees are from the Casamance region of Southern Senegal. Due to the region’s ongoing conflict,
individuals and families continue to move across the Gambian/Senegalese border.
This
grant will enable GAFNA to strengthen Child Welfare Centers for refugee and
host family children in six isolated communities within the Foni District in
West Coast Region.
The
project will mainly purchase cereal milling machines for income generation,
provide supplementary and nutritious feeding to the enrolled children, and
empower the mothers’ clubs to effectively manage and sustain the Child Welfare
Centers.
In
her remarks, Ambassador Alsup said that the success of each project will depend
on the hard work and dedication of each community.
She
added that it is only by pooling our resources that we can make truly
significant contributions to national development.
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