2005 Press Releases

US Ambassador approves funding for community projects

Freetown                                                        
August 31,2005

On August 31, US Ambassador Thomas N. Hull, awarded over sixty thousand US dollars (174 million leones) as funding for nine community projects ranging from Agriculture to Health Care. The projects will be implemented in seven districts in Sierra Leone and they represent the continued commitment of the United States of America to the people of Sierra Leone.
 
At a signing ceremony held at the US Embassy, Ambassador Hull and representatives of the various organizations signed agreements for assistance from the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) fund.
 
During the ceremony, Ambassador Hull emphasized that “the American people believe in self-reliance, and have funded the self-help program to empower Sierra Leoneans to take responsibility for their own development through community action.”
 
The projects funded by the SSH this year include:

• Koya Honey Bee Project: Increase honey production and introduces improved technology in beekeeping and honey hunting. Port Loko District (Magbafth, Newton and Gerahun)
• Reclamation of Mined Out Swamps: The back filling of pits that were left open after mining diamonds and use them for food production. Kenema District (Torkpombu/Labor Camp, Tongo Field)
• Reconstruction of Community Center: Providing a central venue for meetings, social activities and other events in this community. Port Loko District (Gbinti/Environment)
• Construction of Grain Store, 4 Drying Floors and the provision of Farm Tools: Assisting resettled farm families. Tonkolili District (Roplon and Rocheian and Makoba)
• Construction of Kamasoko Village Bridge: Increasing access and a serving as a connection between villages. Bombali District (Kamasoko, Kadarie and Kagboray)
• Reconstruction of Njala Town Market: Enhancing economic prosperity for about 2,000 inhabitants who are mainly farmers. Bo District (Njalu, Mandewa and Njala/Southern Region)
• Rem-Din Agricultural Development Association: Providing income-generating support to women. Port Loko District (Chaeng Mende)
• Tengbe Project: Restarting of a fish pond and rice production Kailahun District (Pujehun, Jokibu and Foindu)
• Rehabilitation of MCH Health Center: Providing health care to about ten cluster villages in the district. Koinadugu District (Dankawali and environs)
• The SSH helps communities who help themselves. They provide 25% of the cost of the project, while the Fund provides the other part. This fund is distributed annually.