2005 Press Releases

US Ambassador Funds Democracy and Human Rights Projects

September 7, 2005

Freetown                                                                                   
Tel: 226481

On September 7, 2005, U.S. Ambassador Thomas N. Hull has awarded $92,000 (over 265 million Leones) to five Sierra Leonean organizations for their democracy and human rights projects.  At an American Embassy ceremony on September 7, 2005, the Ambassador and representatives of the organizations signed grant agreements for assistance from the Democracy and Human Rights Fund that is supported by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) through the generosity of the American people. 
 
During the ceremony, Ambassador Hull emphasized that “The Democracy and Human Rights Fund is particularly useful in sponsoring projects that will directly or indirectly promote good governance and improved human rights.”

Projects funded by the Democracy and Human Rights fund this year include:

• Educating citizens on the critical role of parliament in policymaking and the legislative process through the “Parliament and the People” project by Common Cause - Sierra Leone.
• “Expanding Access to Justice in Sierra Leone” project through the National Forum for Human Rights. 
• Educating and training youth in crime and violence prevention through the “Prevention of Youth Crime and Drug Abuse” project by Youth Crime Watch – Sierra Leone.
• Male sensitization on the extent, forms and impact of gender based violence through the “Prevention of Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone” project through the Male Association for Gender Equality (MAGE – Sierra Leone)
• Raising awareness of human rights violations in rural communities through drama, through the “Strengthening Democracy and Human Rights in Rural Communities” Project by the Pampana Communications.

The Ambassador’s Fund for Refugees also granted $20, 000 (Le. 58, 200, 000) to the International Rescue Committee to conduct oral hygiene sensitization in primary schools located in eight refugee camps in Sierra Leone.