U.S. awards Self Help grants to Zimbabwean schools and orphans
Harare, February 15, 2012: U.S. Ambassador Charles Ray officially handed over US$62,000 in small grants to five Zimbabwean community-based groups at a grant signing ceremony in Harare on Wednesday. The grants are part of the 32-year-old U.S. Ambassador’s Self Help Fund, a U.S. government grassroots assistance program for small, community-based development projects. Since 1980, the Fund has awarded approximately $3 million through 300 grants to groups in all 10 provinces.
The recipient organizations are involved in various community income and service projects, including a dormitory for girls, a two classroom block, a borehole, a grinding mill and a garden project. The combined projects will assist over 3,000 children, their families and communities to improve their lives and economic opportunities.
“We are thrilled to assist each of you in your endeavors,” Ambassador Charles Ray told the awardees during the signing ceremony. “Your projects were selected because you have what it takes – strong leadership; dedicated, hardworking community members; and a can-do work ethic – to bring your projects to a successful conclusion. For that, we believe in you and are proud to stand by you as you strive to create a better Zimbabwe.”
In addition to the four Self Help grantees, the Embassy is giving its first Self Help PEPFAR grant of $20,000 to Zimkids Orphan Trust, a Bulawayo based organization working with 170 HIV/AIDS orphaned and vulnerable children, youth and their caretakers. The Zimkids grant is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which was established to assist grassroots organizations working to alleviate the impact of HIV and AIDS on families, adults and children. The grantee will construct a borehole and market garden with irrigation equipment to produce food for the 170 orphans and generate income to pay school fees and buy medication.
The four Self Help grants were given to schools. Manjolo Secondary School in Binga, Matebeleland North received $15,000 for the construction of a dormitory for female students. The school has an enrolment of 768 students. In Murewa, Mashonaland East Dombodzuku School with a total enrolment of 1,200 students received $8,000 for the completion of a two classroom block for an Early Childhood Education Centre. In Gweru, Midlands Vungu Secondary School, with an enrollment of 600 students, received $10,000 for the installation of borehole that will promote hygiene, assist in the retention of teachers, and develop their science program. The school authorities want to use this borehole to start self help projects to benefit their students and the surrounding community. Maranyika Primary School in Bindura received $9,000 to enable the school to purchase a grinding mill for income generation.
“Over the past 30 years, our awardees have made a tremendous positive impact on their communities for the betterment of their families, neighbors and fellow citizens. Our current group of grantees here with us today follows in this exceptional tradition. You all work tirelessly to improve the lives of those around you. We honor and commend you for your work,” said the U.S. Ambassador.
The U.S. Ambassador’s Self Help Program was established in 1980 and funds community-initiated projects that support education, access to healthy food, income-generating activities, and water/sanitation initiatives, as well as other activities that improve living conditions, provide education or increase income.
