SSH Grants 2008
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Ambassador Garvey Awards Grants to Community Projects
On December 2, 2008, Ambassador Janet Garvey presided over a ceremony to announce the recipients of the Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program (SSH). This year, $80,000 will be disbursed to fund 11 projects in eight regions working primarily in water supply and sanitation, social services, and social assistance. Since 1983, the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon has funded small community projects in all 10 regions under the SSH, helping build schools, footbridges, wells, and other small-scale community development projects. SSH funds have also benefited community farms, grain mills, and women’s cooperatives. Under the SSH, local communities apply for support for a specific project tailored to improve living conditions. Community members agree to provide labor, materials, or some other contribution to the project, ensuring a high level of community investment and participation.
Out of 11 SSH projects this year, 4 are located in the Septentrion.
In Adamaoua, SSH is funding Handi-Art-Issek to support the construction of a structure for the production, display and sale of works of art made by disabled people.
The Self-Help program is supporting GIC ERAC to construct a shed and to purchase and install grain mills for the women in the rural community in Boulgou, North region.
In Garoua, SSH program is working with GIC COLIBRI to fund the purchase and installation of sewing machines and other equipment for vocational training center for young single mothers.
In the Far North, The SSH program is supporting Association de parents d’eleves de l’ecole de Brouvare with the purchase of school furniture for the teachers and students of Brouvare’s primary school school which was constructed with Self-Help funds in 2007.
For more information on the Special Self Help program, contact the Embassy at 2220-1500, x 4491 or 4171.