Press Releases

U.S. Ambassador's Self-Help Program Ceremony and Democracy and Human Rights Fund to Award SCR 320,000 in Grants to Seychellois Community Groups

March 28, 2008

Event: Signing ceremony Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program and Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF)
Venue: Roche Caiman Community Center, Mahé
Date/time: Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at 9:30 a.m.

On Tuesday April 1, 2008, Ambassador Caesar Cabrera of the United States Embassy, Mauritius, will sign grant agreements on behalf of the United States Government to fund four Self-Help and two Democracy and Human Rights Fund projects, including environmental awareness programs and women empowerment programs, for a total amount of SCR 320,000.  Deputy Director of the African Affairs Bureau for The U.S. State Department, Mr. James Knight, will accompany the U.S. Ambassador to award the six non-governmental organization and community group beneficiaries, who were selected in response to a U.S. Embassy project proposal request in April of last year.  The beneficiaries will sign the agreements on behalf of their organizations on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at the Roche Caiman Community Center, Mahé. 

The United States Government established the Ambassador’s Self-Help Program in 1972 under the Foreign Assistance Act.  The program’s primary objective is to improve basic economic, social and environmental conditions at the local community level.  The Self Help Program encourages the development of grassroots initiatives to solve problems.  Self Help activities, as the name indicates, require a significant contribution of money and time from the beneficiaries, with the U.S. contribution serving a primarily catalytic role.  This year, many Seychelles non-governmental organizations and community groups submitted project proposals that ranged widely in nature, scope, and geographic coverage.