CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE: SPECIAL SELF-HELP FUND,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001917 SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE DEPT FOR AF/EPS JEFFRY BURNAM, THOMAS HASTINGS AF/C MAHEEDA ASHRAF AF/RSA SSH COORDINATOR - MARGARET DECQUIR EB/IFD/OMA AUDU BESMER USAID/AFR/SD SARAH MOTEN, AFR/EA OLU COLE; DCHA/FFP/EP TIM MCRAE NAIROBI FOR RUSS SCHIEBEL; E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR ECON PREL SENV AMGT CF TO SUBJECT: CONGO/BRAZZAVILLE: SPECIAL SELF-HELP FUND, ANNUAL REPORT FOR FY 2005 ¶1. Annual Status Report for FY 2005 as of November 9, 2005: (Note: Newly-arrived Charge d'affaires had the opportunity to visit several of these SSH projects November 17-18 with post's Aid Project Coordinator, Margo Mulumba, and Econ/Consular Officer Chelsea Bakken. Additional commentary and requests for assistance will be provided septel to ensure the viability of these efforts and future projects undertaken by Brazzaville's current staff, limited to an officer corps of three American direct-hire officers.) (A) Status of SSH FY 2003 All projects in FY 2003 and prior fiscal years have now been closed. (B) Status of SSH FY 2003 There are no outstanding balances. All projects prior to FY 2004 have been closed. (C) Status of SSH FY 2004 (Note: Four projects were funded for FY 2004) Project Number: SSH-04-679-01Project Name : Sport ActionsDollar Amount : $14,300; Unliquidated balance: $3,187.12 Location : Congo-Brazzaville Description : Grant used to construct basketball courts and to purchase sports equipment to encourage healthy past time activities for disadvantaged youth. Date Obligated: September 11, 2004Local Input : Land, time, labor, expertiseBeneficiaries : 300 youth Status : Final liquidation receipts sent to Nairobi on September 29, 2005. Awaiting confirmation of account closure. 2. Status of SSH FY 2005 (Note: Five projects were funded for FY 2005) (A) Project Number: SSH-05-679-01 Project Name : Aide l'Enfance Dollar Amount : $10,000 Location : Congo-Brazzaville Description : Purpose of project is to modernize and mechanize a local foundry in order to manufacture farm and food-industry equipment that is essential to improve food production in the Congo and make it more affordable to low-income Congolese citizens. Date Obligated: August 11, 2005 
Beneficiaries : Congo-Brazzaville area residents Local Input : money, time, labor and expertise Status : Grantee has applied for an initial advance Of $6,675.00 -------------- (B) Project Number: SSH-05-679-02 Project Name : Grouping `les Fourmis' - Brazzaville Dollar Amount : $15,000 Location : Congo-Brazzaville Description : Project to mechanize a cooperative farm and to build greenhouses. The donation of funds will be used to reduce labor-intensive methods of farming and to introduce new equipment which will improve farm production yields. Date Obligated: August 11, 2005 Beneficiaries : Brazzaville rural and urban areas Local Input : land, time, labor and expertise Status : Grantee has applied for an initial advance of $9,911.00 -------------- (C) Project Number: SSH-05-679-03 Project Name : Dlices Cooperative Traiteur Dollar Amount : $10,000 Location : Congo-Brazzaville Date Obligated: August 11, 2005 Local Input : time, labor and expertise Beneficiaries : Congo-Brazzaville area residents Description : Purchase of agricultural equipment: Agro-drier machine, commercial-size colander and generator used to produce high-quality tropical fruit juices. The objective is to produce a product-line of seasonal fruits and vegetables year-round and to increase fruit juice production. The goal is to introduce new product lines and to market these products (herbal spices, fruit preserves and canned vegetables) successfully. Funding has the potential to increase urban employment, generate more rural income, provide nutritional foods year- round and contribute to commercial and food security opportunities for Congolese citizens. Status: Grantee has applied for an initial advance of $7,761.05 -------------- (D) Project Number: SSH-05-679-04 Project Name : Mdicines d'Afrique Dollar Amount : $7,000 Location : Congo-Brazzaville Date Obligated: August 11, 2005 Local Input : time, labor and expertise Beneficiaries : 1000 people in Congo- Brazzaville area Description : The purpose of this community empowerment project is to promote better eating habits for Congolese families and communities participating in this project. The process will consist of: (a) nutrition education - women will to taught how to prepare nutritious, balanced meals; (b) thematic presentations and discussions on the dangers of improper nutritional habits; (c) self-evaluation and assessment of adapting to a balanced diet; and, (d) environmental evaluation - participants will consider how proper eating will effect people in their families/community. In addition, Mdicines d'Afrique will print an "ABC Guide to Eating Better." The anticipated results of this project include: (a) eating behavior changes, (b) cognitive changes, and, (c) behavioral changes which result in long-term healthier diets for the Congolese citizens. Status: Grantee will receive an initial advance of $4,244. -------------- (E) Project Number: SSH-05-679-05 Project Name : La Conadho Dollar Amount : $10,000 Location : Congo-Brazzaville Date Obligated: August 11, 2005 Local Input : building, time, labor and expertise and part of the renovation costs Beneficiaries : 5000 people in Congo-Brazzaville area Description : La Conadho is a well-known community leader in the area of democracy and human rights in the Republic of Congo. The project is to renovate a 400 square meter building purchased as a community resource center. The building consists of a conference room that seats 200 people, 2 large offices, 1 small office and restroom areas. The building contains an annex that will serve as a library. La Conadho requests funds to assist with a complete renovation of the community center's roof, ceiling, tiling/masonary and electrical system. Status: Grantee has received an initial advance of $7,405. ¶3. If addition information is required, please contact Special Self-Help and Democracy/Human Rights Project Coordinator, Margo Mulumba, at margommulu@yahoo.com. ¶4. BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE - BIEDLINGMAIER DOUGHERTY