U.S. Embassy Awards 84.4m/- to Support Community-Based Organizations in Tanzania

US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, Robert Scott (centre) in a group photo with eight community groups representatives shortly after award them Ambassador’s Grants at the embassy in Dar es Salaam yesterday. The United States Embassy's through its Ambassador's Community Grant Program funded by the American people awards eight community groups with grants that total 84.4m/- with the purpose of providing direct assistance for small, community-based, improvement projects. Photo/John Badi of Daily Mitikasi Blog

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On July 5, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Robert K. Scott awarded over 84.4 million Tanzanian shillings ($54,500 USD) to eight organizations and schools for self-improvement projects under the Community Grants Program funded by the American people through the U.S. Department of State.  These are composed of two annual grant funds: the Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund, and the Ambassador's Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief.  The grants provide direct assistance to Tanzanian citizens for small, community-based, improvement projects. 

The Special Self-Help fund provides direct assistance grants to Tanzanian community organizations for projects designed to benefit rural and urban communities. The Ambassador's Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief provides assistance for communities which remain vulnerable to the disease.

The Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund was established during Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere's first presidential term. For over 46 years, the grants have helped community-based organizations in every region to improve the lives of Tanzanians through their own ideas.  

These include by building schools, providing public access to clean water, utilizing solar energy and starting new commercial initiatives. The Ambassador's Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief was established in 2009.  Since then, it has provided grants to over 40 community-groups in Tanzania.

In his remarks, Deputy Chief of Mission Scott noted: "Assistance programs have a deeper and more meaningful impact when they are implemented from Tanzanians for Tanzanians based on their own priorities.  I am proud to present these grants because they promote innovation and leadership from citizens committed to strengthen and serve their communities." 

The Deputy Chief of Mission presented grants serving four critical sectors: Solar Power; Education; Orphans and Vulnerable Children; and People Living with HIV/AIDS. 

·    The Self-Help Fund granted 10 million Tanzanian shillings to the Wilima Secondary School in Ruvuma to install a solar power system to operate computers and provide electricity for over 500 students. 

·    Also in Ruvuma, this program will provide 14.9 million Tanzanian shillings to provide electricity for the Maguu Community Based Information Center Association's library.

·    To advance girls' education and empowerment, the St. Martin's Secondary Girl's School in Morogoro received a grant of 7.5 million Tanzanian shillings to purchase laboratory equipment for 191 students to pursue science studies. 

The Ambassador's Fund for HIV/AIDS Relief this year provided grants to five organizations, three of which are orphanages and two groups which are working with orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS. 

·    The Yatima Group Trust Fund of Dar es Salaam received 4.5 million Tanzanian shillings to build a cement tank with roof catchment which will harvest and store water for the Chamazi Orphanage Center which houses 162 children. 

·    The Saint Elizabeth's Orphan Care Center, which houses 50 babies and young children in Morogoro, received 17.8 million Tanzanian shillings to install a water tower and provide plumbing to four orphan homes. 
·    The Without Mother Organization received 6 million Tanzanian shillings to complete a kitchen, dining, and storage room for the Mahengo Orphanage Center in Mbeya.

·    The Kagera Youth Development Initiative received 13 million Tanzanian shillings to provided uniforms and school supplies to over 800 orphans and vulnerable children in Kagera.

·    The Support Society Against Poverty and HIV/AIDS organization in Mbeya region received 10 million Tanzanian shillings to train people living with this disease in animal husbandry and to enhance the use of animals as an economic asset to promote food security.  The grant will also be used to purchase vocational starter kits for orphans who have graduated from carpentry and sewing vocational schools.

The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Fund is part of the U.S. Ambassador’s Community Grants Program. To learn more about the Community Grants Program, please visit the grants page on our U.S. Embassy website or contact the U.S. Embassy’s Community Grants Office at selfhelpd@state.gov or by mail at U.S. Embassy Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam.