SSH Press Sheet
Latest embassy news
Overview of the Ambassador’s Self Help Program
The United States Ambassador to Cameroon has a special fund for small community projects. The Special Self-Help program is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake activities on their own to improve their living conditions. Projects funded under the Self Help Program fall under the following three categories: water supply and sanitation; social services; and social assistance. These categories are briefly defined as follows:
1 - Category 1: Water Supply and Sanitation
Definition: Ensure broadly accessible, reliable and economically sustainable water and sanitation services for health, security, and prosperity.
2 - Category 2: Social Services
Definition: Assist special populations which may be vulnerable or at-risk on a temporary or chronic basis. Projects for vulnerable groups could include but not limited to: classrooms construction, school equipment, health centers, storehouses, income-generating activities, local infrastructures, assistance for education.
3 - Category 3: Social Assistance
Definition: Provide financial or technical support for road construction and maintenance, irrigation works, reforestation, and soil conservation in post-conflict or post-disaster settings. Provide assistance to those suffering from temporary shocks resulting from economic reform.
Overview of the Economic Support Fund
The U.S. Department of State’s Economic Support Fund (ESF) is designed to increase the role of the private sector in the economy, enhance job creation and improve economic growth by funding income-generating activities and small and medium size enterprises.
This year, the U.S. Embassy is proud to sponsor the following eleven projects:
Grant Recipient: Handi-Art-Issek
Project: Construction of Art Workshop/Display Center for the Disabled
Location: Ngaoundere, Adamaoua
Grant Amount: $11,440
Activity: Construction of a structure for the production, display and sale of works of art made by disabled people.
Grant Recipient: GIC ERAC
Project: Purchase and Installation of Grain mills
Location: Boulgou, North
Grant Amount: $11,061
Activity: Construction of a shed and purchase and installation of grain mills for the women of this rural community.
Grant Recipient: St Valentine Orphanage
Project: Construction of Poultry Farm
Location: Buea, South West
Grant Amount: $2,298
Activity: Construction of poultry to generate income for St Valentine Orphanage Buea.
Grant Recipient: Comité de développement Lithieu-Foreke-Dschang
Project: Bridge Construction
Location: Dschang, West
Grant Amount: 10,750
Activity: Construction of a bridge over the Menouet River, to link four isolated communities to the large produce market in Dschang.
Grant Recipient: Foyer d’alphabétisation et de réhabilitation des aveugles
Project: Well Construction
Location: Foumban, West
Grant Amount: $2,379
Activity: construction of well for training center for the blind
Grant recipient: Association de parents d’élèves de l’école de Brouvare
Project: School Furniture
Location: Brouvare, Far North
Grant Amount: $2072
Activity: Purchase of desks, tables and chairs, cupboards and blackboards for the teachers and pupils of Brouvare’s primary school constructed with Self Help funds in 2007.
Grant Recipient: GIC CAPHEST
Project: Food storage facility
Location: Nkaoule Ben Ngond, East
Amount: $6,991
Activity: Construction of storage facility for agricultural produce.
Grant Recipient: Association Kamane Maga Akama
Project: Food Storage Facility
Location: Belabo, East
Amount: $10,917
Activity: Construction of food storage facility for preservation agricultural produce.
Grant Recipient: ODECO
Project: Purchase of cassava and corn grinding mills
Location: Ndikinimeki
Grant Amount: $11,241
Activity: Purchase and installation of corn and cassava grinding mills to generate income for child labor victims rescued from cocoa plantations.
Grant Recipient: GIC COLIBRI
Project: Purchase of vocational training equipment
Location: Garoua, North
Grant Amount: $6,045
Activity: Purchase and installation of sewing machines and other equipment for vocational training center for young single mothers.
Grant Recipient: Women’s Integrated Ventures
Project: Construction of food storage facility.
Location: Northwest
Grant Amount: $4,684
Activity: Construction of grain storage structures locally known as corn cribs to preserve harvested crops and minimize post-harvest loss.