afrol News, 26 November - The US embassy in Gambia has awarded US$ 40, 000 to seven local communities for an assortment of development projects.

Disbursed under the Ambassador's Special Self Help (SSH) programme, the grants seek to alleviate extreme poverty within communities.

Speaking on the grants, Ambassador Barry L Wells said self-Help programme is different from most development programmes in that the projects are proposed and designed by the communities themselves. "In that regard, communities must make a real contribution, be it labour or material or money, to its execution," he said.

He added that the projects have been selected in a competitive process from many that were submitted from all around The Gambia.

The projects, which are community initiatives geared towards improving the lives of the people, include support to the disabled foundation in the production of wheel chairs, construction of hand pump wells, fencing of community gardens and provision of milling machines for village women's groups.

"Though each grant is relatively small, we hope the impact on the lives of those in your communities will be great," he said, emphasising that signing ceremony marks the beginning of a long term partnership in the fight against poverty.

This funding which will also involve provision of concrete-lined wells for gardens, fencing and milling machines, will cover Upart village in Western region, Sinchu Gundo Lower Basic School, Njaba Kunda in the North Bank Region, Jappeni women's group, Bumari women's group, Bassending women's group and the Association of disabled people.

The Embassy is also expected to fund additional projects under the Democracy and Human Rights Fund to promote good governance and democracy.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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