Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund Recipients Announced

US Ambassador June Carter Perry

November 12, 2009 – Today U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone June Carter Perry authorized grants for thirteen local organizations selected to receive 2009 US Agency for International Development (USAID) Ambassador’s Special Self-Help program funding totaling $90,000 or about 340 million Leones. 

The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) is a grass-roots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond directly to local requests for small community-based development projects in African countries. It is structured to encourage communities to be self-reliant and undertake similar activities on their own in the future.

Thirteen organizations were selected to receive 2009 SSH program funding: Rogbalan Community Development Committee, Fadugu DEC School, Fintonia/Yamba Community Oil Palm Project, Massa Development Association, Niagorehun Kabondeh Farmers Association, Tinkifirah Descendants Association, Magbema Agricultural Community Development Association, Deseret Women Sierra Leone, Dankawalie Descendants Association, YWCA Vocational Institute, Sierra Leone International Mission School, Muwatima United Development Organization and the Tabonor Women’s Group. 

All projects were selected for their potential to achieve social and economic change in specific communities, with special emphasis on projects that aid at-risk groups, education or agricultural development. For more information on this event and the SSH program, please visit: http://freetown.usembassy.gov.