Press Releases

15 Community Projects Receive Tshs. 87. 9mil from US Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund

August 30, 2006

The US Ambassador Michael L. Retzer on Wednesday, August 30, 2006 signed 15 grants with community organizations worth Tshs.87,900,000 for the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund (ASSHF) in a ceremony held at the Embassy compound This brings the total funds spent on Self Help projects since 2001 Tshs.617.7 million.

According to Embassy statement, Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund which responds to requests for assistance with small community projects in Tanzania, started in 1965 and has improved economic and living conditions at the village level from Arusha to Zanzibar. The ASSHF grants have contributed to improving sanitation, educational access, economic development and agricultural innovation.

At the ASSHF signing ceremony, Ambassador Retzer presented checks to community representatives from the following locations: Mahango Village Orphan and Education Centre in Mbeya, Teachers and Community Resource Centre, in Masasi, Mtwara Region, Community Action for Development Economic and Environmental Conservation Trust in Arusha, Umoja wa Kinamama Kusaidiana in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, Mavuno Improvement for Community Relief and Services in Karagwe, Kagera Region, Tanzania Association for the Disabled in Tabora and Mbeya Regions, Wakulima Bushumba in Muleba, Kagera Region and Bethlehem Centre Ifakara in Ifakara, Morogoro Region.

Other projects are St. Teresa Parish in Kasanga, Morogoro, Feceh Food Processing Enterprise in Moshi, Pemba Development Trust Fund in Wawi, Pemba, Human Development Strategies Association in Kimamba, Morogoro, Christian Association for Development and AID in Musoma and Matemwe School in Matemwe, Zanzibar.

This year’s awardees were selected from among a field of almost 150 finalists, and each of them embodies the special spirit of Self Help.

Ambassador Retzer said, “In each of these projects, the community made a substantial contribution before turning to our program for one-time help. In some instances, people contributed money. Others may have given a bag of cement or two. And in most cases, communities agree to donate their labor. But, in every case, these communities first looked for help by turning to themselves.”

The Fund has awarded Mahango Village Orphan and Education Center Tshs2,520,000 to benefit more than 80 orphans who are in need of housing, care and education. The community of Mahango has donated the land needed for the construction of a dormitory and an education centre. In Masasi, the fund awarded Ths3,762,360 for water storage tank to benefit 20 members and villagers of Nyasa. In Arusha, the Community Action for Development, Economic and Environment Conservation Trust project has been awarded Tshs7,100,100 for tree seedlings and Fruit trees to be distributed to youth and women in Monduli, Arumeru and Arusha.

The UKIKU group in Kigamboni will receive Tshs4,529,700 for brick making project. In Karagwe, the Mavuno Improvement for Community Relief and Services received Tshs7,383,600 for constructing 15 low cost tanks which will supply water for domestic needs. CHAWATA Tabora branch received Tshs7,497,000 for making tricycles for the disabled and also make doors and window frames. The Wakulima Bushumba group in Bukoba received Tshs5,670,000 for improving the production and quality of organic coffee in order to get higher prices.

The Bethlehem Centre Ifakara which takes care and training of mental disabled children will receive Tshs7,131,600 for installation of a solar system in the dormitories so as to cut down power bills. As for the St. Teresa Parish in Kasanga, Morogoro, Tshs3,477,600 has been allotted for the purchase of a grinding machine to save the women and children walk great distances to grind their maize. This village is 144 km from Morogoro in a remote area top of the Uluguru hills.

Another project in Moshi is the Feceh Food Processing Enterprise which received Tshs7,560,000 for fruit and vegetable processing. The group with 32 members produces mango pickle, chili sauce, peanut butter, dried mangoes and cassava leaves. The Chawata Mbeya branch project received Tshs4,410,000 for purchasing an oil extracting machine while the Pemba Development Trust Fund will get Tshs8,820,000 for completion and furnishing of three classrooms.

Others are Human Development Strategies Association in Kimamba, Morogoro will get Tshs2,520,000 for increasing water supply points for 14,506 villagers. The Christian Association for Development and Aid in Musoma received Tshs7,912,800 for dispensary laboratory equipment. The Matemwe School in Zanzibar will receive Tshs7,660,800 for purchasing desks. Only 30 per cent of students have desks.