Press Release
American People Support Siafu and Upendo Water Group in Temeke through U.S. Ambassador's Self-Help Fund
December 4, 2008
On December 4, 2008, members of the Yombo-Mwinyi community gathered to thank Mrs. Susan Green, wife of United States Ambassador to Tanzania Mark Green, and the American People for their support of the Siafu and Upendo Water Group. The community’s appreciation was in response to a Tsh. 5,508,400 grant from the U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund for the construction of a water storage and distribution system administered by the Siafu and Upendo Water Group for the benefit of the entire Yombo-Mwinyi community. This funding comes from the American people and is part of overall U.S. Government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750 billion Tanzanian shillings during fiscal year 2008.
Mrs. Green praised the dedication of the Siafu and Upendo Water Group for creating a self-sustaining water project that supplies clean water to 1,500 Yombo-Mwinyi residents. The U.S. grant enabled Siafu and Upendo to purchase two 5,000 liter storage tanks, building materials for a 10-metre water tower and the materials to connect the storage tanks to an existing borehole. This new system now allows a continuous flow of water for Siafu and Upendo’s 1,500 customers.
The U.S. Ambassador's Self Help Fund grants are awarded to qualified community groups by the U.S. Ambassador on behalf of the American people. Since its inception in 1965, the U.S. Ambassador's Self Help Fund has provided funding to hundreds of small-scale projects throughout Tanzania that have improved economic and living conditions at the village level.
The U.S. Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund is part of the U.S. Ambassador’s Community Grants Program. Other Community Grants include the Ambassador’s Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief and the Democracy and Human Rights Fund. To obtain information and/or an application for these funds, please contact the U.S. Embassy’s Community Grants Office by post at U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam. All applications must be submitted on the official application form which is available at http://tanzania.usembassy.gov/asshf_program.html.