U.S. Grants Assist Community Development

U.S. Embassy, Addis Ababa December 11, 2008:  – U.S. Ambassador Donald Yamamoto emphasized the United States’ commitment to improving access to education for Ethiopia’s poorest children and supporting community-based development when he presented four new grants to community organizations under the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program (SSHP).

In a December 11, 2008, ceremony at the U.S. Embassy to present the grants, Ambassador Yamamoto said, “These projects will go a long way toward improving the quality of life for Ethiopians across the country. With the support of the American people, children in rural communities who, up to now, had only a remote chance at education will be able to go to school; a dairy and bee-keeping project will enable a faith-based organization to continue serving needy orphans; and – in an incentive-based approach -- families will gain access to clean drinking water in exchange for building pit latrines at their homesteads, thereby improving both the community’s water and sanitation conditions.”

Under the SSHP, U.S. Ambassadors in Africa fund community-based initiatives that might not otherwise meet the criteria for traditional development assistance. 

Together, the four projects are worth USD 40,000 (about 400,000 Ethiopian Birr) and will reach more than 5,300 Ethiopians in the country’s three largest administrative regions – Oromia, Amhara and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region.  Grantees are selected from hundreds of proposals received by the Embassy and are required to meet rigorous standards.  Projects funded under the Self-Help program must improve economic and social conditions at the community or village level, be community-initiated, show evidence of local support, and be self-sustaining.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Yamamoto said, “On behalf of the American people, I am honored to support these Ethiopian groups who are working to improve the lives of their communities. Grassroots programs like this are one important part of U.S. efforts to strengthen bilateral economic relations, create jobs, and contribute to a more prosperous future for Ethiopians.”

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