2005 Press Releases

US Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund Empowers Communication

 

December 7, 2005

Freetown

Contact:PAO

Tel:226481

The United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Thomas N. Hull visited Kpangiema village in Kailahun District on Tuesday, December 6^th where he commissioned a Special Self Help project. The SSH assisted the Kpangiema Development Association by providing farming tools and the construction of a grain store, to reduce the loss of harvest crops by farmers. The Association hopes to reduce poverty by not only increasing harvests, but also ensuring their ability to store the crops. This project is worth over $8,500 (approximately 25.9 million leones).
 
He later traveled to Kailahun town and visited the Masanta Women’s Development Program.  The project in Kailahun involved the construction of a grain store and the provision of a rice-hauling machine for the Masanta Women’s Development Program. This project assisted three thousand women, helping them in the process of cleaning husk rice for their daily meals.  It is valued at $7,500 (approximately 22.7 million leones),
 
The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (SSH) helps communities who help themselves. Communities apply and demonstrate how they will provide 25% of the cost of the project, while the SSH provides the other part. This fund is distributed annually. 
 
On Monday December 5^th, the Ambassador also took the time to meet with the Bo Town Council and moved on to Kenema where he met the Resident Minister, District and Town Council members and the Paramount Chief.