‘The US embassy is proud to be part of community development’ |18 January 2020
Representatives of the four organisations in a souvenir photograph with Ambassador Reimer after they had received their grants (Photo: Jude Morel)
Four non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been awarded grants totalling US $17,114 that will go towards the development of projects aimed towards the community.
The grant comes from the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program funded by the US government which allocates resources on a yearly basis to NGOs and community groups for projects that improve socio-economic conditions and benefit the community at the grassroots level.
It was the US ambassador for Seychelles, David Reimer, who distributed the grants in a special ceremony held on Thursday at the Eden Bleu Hotel in the presence of the chief executive of the Civil Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps), Michel Pierre, and representatives from the four NGOs.
“This program started years ago and its one of the strongest links between local communities and the US embassy so I’m pleased to highlight that the self-help program in Seychelles has awarded a total of R1.5 million for community driven projects in just the past five years,” noted Ambassador Reimer.
He added that the program provides NGOs with the resources they need to move from a good idea to a feasible project.
On his part, Mr Pierre noted that the local NGOs have benefited a lot from the program.
“Ceps and the US embassy have started a beautiful relationship and we are now in discussion to open an American corner at Ceps to build upon the relationship and offer more opportunities to other NGOs such as exchanges to the states and share expertise in philanthropy and volunteerism by having experts from America educate and share knowledge with our local NGOs,” said Mr Pierre.
The four organisations that received the grants are Alliance of Solidarity for the Family (ASFF), Pro Basketball Academy, United for a Purpose Brigade and Women in Action and Solidarity Organisation (Waso).
Alf Aglae, chairman of the Pro Basketball Academy, noted that the aim of their organisation is to train teenagers how to play the game and give them enough baggage for them to be able to compete internationally in the future.
“The grant of US $2,884 we have received will help us obtain some more equipment such as basketballs. We have just introduced the program in numerous schools,” he noted.
Germaine Valentin Gill from ASFF noted that the grant will go towards educating parents and their young teenagers on puberty. This will be achieved through booklets that will be placed in libraries at primary schools and sold at their office. They have been awarded US $4,230.
Rosemary Elizabeth, chairperson of Waso, noted that their project revolves around teaching people how to maintain a garden at their house and reduce their expenses on fruits and vegetable. They have been awarded US $5,000 to help towards the project.
John Ondiek, chairman of United for a Purpose Brigade which aims at imparting practical skills in tailoring and embroidery to recovering addicts, said the grant will help in obtaining more equipment. They were awarded US $5,000 for their project in which there are currently eleven participants involved.
Christophe Zialor