Seven grants totaling in excess of US$59,000 were awarded to communities across Guyana under the Ambassador’s Self Help Fund.These grants were signed off yesterday by representatives of the various communities and United States Ambassador to Guyana,NMD Cheap Real, John Jones, at the US Embassy,Al Horford Jersey, Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown.The Aranaputa Processors Friendly Society (APFS) in Region Nine received a grant in improving the operational efficiency of a cottage industry owned and operated by Amerindian women in Region Nine.This project is designed to improve the operational efficiency of the APFS cottage industry and boost income and employment of the community, while the Fairview Village Council benefited from a “Fairview Village Sustainable Lumber Initiative”.This project is designed to enhance sustainable forest management practices by increasing the recovery rates from wood processing, thus creating greater economic opportunities for the Fairview community.The Marfriends Cooperative Land Society Ltd through “Making Marfriends Farmers More Competitive,” also received a grant to fund an initiative, which is designed to improve the economic livelihood and social welfare of the community.The initiative involves the installation of pipelines and procurement of a chipper and trailer for the society’s tractor, which is used for small-scale agricultural production.Buxton/Friendship New Horizon Farming Co-operative benefited from a community production of watermelons, pumpkins, leafy vegetables and ground provision to generate income and ensure food security.This project is designed to develop agricultural production and marketing in the Buxton community, as well as create income earning and employment opportunities for community members.North Rupununi District Development Board (NDRRB) will now be able to improve and increase the broadcasting capacity of radio Paiwomak through a grant designed to boosting community communications through Radio Paiwomak- FM 97.1.The Surama Village Council benefited from a grant intended to gather strength through Community Mobility, designed to increase and improve transportation options for tourists as well as enhance the economic viability of the community.The University of Guyana was awarded with a grant that will enable the institution to provide access to sanitary facilities for people with disability.This project is designed to create ground level access to sanitary facilities, for people with disabilities.The US Ambassador, John Jones, noted that he wants the self-help programmes to reach the kind of people and project that needs assistance in Guyana.“It would impact directly on their communities. We need to provide economic and social welfare to these communities,Wholesale Buffalo Bills Jerseys,” Ambassador Jones said.Mission director for USAIDS,Wholesale World Cup Jerseys, Dr. Fenton Sands, reiterated his organisation’s support and commitment to continue with grants like these in Guyana.“USAID is always happy to support those who we say try to help themselves… you are obviously doing things to help your community and your country.”The Ambassador’s Self Help Fund is intended to support small-scale projects that seek to reduce poverty by addressing basic human needs.Community-based organizations, civil society,Cheap Soccer Jerseys For Sale, non-governmental organizations, institutions, and/or other local groups working in communities across Guyana were eligible to submit proposals for grant funding under the Ambassador’s Self Help Fund.In 2006,Fjallraven Kanken Bags Australia, US$20,700 was disbursed to five projects to provide for youth skills development.Last year, US$25,400 was provided to fund six projects to help families address issues affecting persons with disabilities,Steelers Color Rush Jersey Cheap, among other things. |