KENYA: FY 2005 AMBASSADOR'S SELF-HELP FUND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 NAIROBI 005132 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/RA, AF/E, AF/EPS - FOR MARGARET DECQUIR DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/DP/PAB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL KE SUBJECT: KENYA: FY 2005 AMBASSADOR'S SELF-HELP FUND ANNUAL REPORT REF: NAIROBI 3331 ¶1. Summary: The 16 FY-05 projects (with a total budget of $92,000) supported most recently through Kenya's Ambassador's Self-Help Fund have begun their funded activities. A summary of Kenya's Self-Help program and progress to date are contained herein. End summary. OVERVIEW -------------- ¶2. As outline in reftel, in FY 2005, Self-Help Kenya received and obligated $92,000, awarding grants to sixteen (16) projects. Coordinators received and reviewed over 1,000 applications and proposals requesting assistance during this funding cycle. From them, Coordinators selected ninety (90) groups and projects for site visits. The inter-agency Self-Help Advisory Committee reviewed the twenty-one (21) strongest groups and projects and recommended sixteen (16) for the Ambassador's review and final approval. ¶3. A statistical analysis of those projects follows: Geographic Distribution: Central Province - 4 (25%): 1 Kiambu District 1 Kirinyaga District 1 Nyeri District 1 Thika District Coast Province - 1 (6%): 1 Taita-Taveta District Eastern Province - 4 (25%): 2 Machakos District 1 Makueni District 1 Meru Central District Nyanza Province - 3 (19%): 1 Kisii District 1 Migori District 1 Siaya District Rift Valley Province - 1 (6%) 1 Kajiado District Western - 3 (19%): 1 Bungoma District 1 Kakamega District 1 Teso District Two provinces, Nairobi and North Eastern, were not represented within the FY 2005 grantees. For logistic and security reasons, North Eastern is a difficult area to do the necessary project assessments and follow-up, but we still hope to receive more quality proposals from this area in the future. Project Types: Health 2 Income Generating 5* Library/Voc. Training 1 Vocational Training 4* Water 5 *Nyeri Deaf Self-Help Group has elements of both Income Generation and Vocational Training. Grant Range: Smallest - $ 3,000 Largest - $10,000 Mean - $ 5,750 Median - $ 5,500 FINANCIAL PROCEDURES AND UNLIQUIDATED BALANCES -------------- - ¶4. Financial procedures followed by Self-Help/Kenya require grantees to submit pro-forma invoices for approved expenditures; SSH/KE then requests checks from USAID/Kenya. When checks become available grantee(s) and vendor(s) are notified to collect/deliver the funded goods. Grantees must submit signed delivery notes, final invoices, and witnessed delivery documents to SSH/KE before checks are released to vendors, at which point those funds are liquidated. To date, we have submitted pro-forma funding requests totaling approximately $49,788.64 (almost half of our FY-05 allocation),of which $10,711.30 has been liquidated. SPECIAL INITIATIVE IN 2005 -------------- ¶5. In this past year Self-Help/Kenya created a set of databases for the tracking, storage, and control of information, including requests for information and application forms, final applicants supplemental information, and status updates of funded projects. These comprehensive, in-house, Access databases fuel all project reporting from Embassy Nairobi's SSH office and are the data link to nearly all correspondence and status updates to applicants. This office now writes its Individual Activity Agreements (IAAs) by merging select data into its grant agreement template. With the foundation supplied by the databases, the Self-Help Office's work products are easier to produce and have taken on a more professional appearance. ¶6. SSH/Kenya has also created and maintains a "Watch List" database used by 16 other donor organizations that comprise the Small Projects Funds' Donor Roundtable. This database permits the Roundtable members to share information concerning fraudulent and duplicated project requests, questionable managers, and crooked vendors. KENYA'S FY 2005 AMBASSADOR'S SELF-HELP FUND PROJECTS -------------- -------------- ¶7. Following is the outline and status of FY 2005 Self- Help Fund Projects: ¶8. Group/Project Funded: Apatit Sub-Location Community Based Organization IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-001 Province: Western District: Teso Description of Activity: to protect 16 fresh water springs and provide access to clean, safe water to the majority of residents within this sub-location. Number of Beneficiaries: 625 households or 5,000 residents of Apatit Sub-Location. United Sates Contribution: $6,000.00 These funds will purchase construction materials and services, such as cement, polythene sheeting, timber, GI pipes, wire mesh, fencing wire, nails and skilled labor. Community Contribution: sand, ballast, hardcore, fencing posts, chlorine and alum, unskilled labor, appropriate landscaping and maintenance for catchment protection, and transportation of goods from vendor to the project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: The group has been working with the District Water Officer to confirm Bills of Quantity, and labor requirements. The group has begun site preparation at some of the springs. ¶9. Group/Project Funded: Bogeta Community Welfare Association IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-002 Province: Eastern District: Meru Central Description of Activity: to outfit the locale's rural health center with medical equipment and other items to better serve its patients. Number of Beneficiaries: 2,000 households or 16,000 people within the area. United Sates Contribution: $8,000.00 The grant will purchase medical equipment, such as stethoscopes, blood pressure machines, clinical thermometers, pedal dust bins, infant scales, adult scales with height guage, wheel chair, complete oxygen delivery system, dressing scissors, stitch removers, needle holders, sterilizing drums, autoclave, sterilizer, dressing sets, instrument trays, suture set, microscope, refrigerator, centrifuge, test tubes and racks, glucometer, incubator, and other medical equipment as approved by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund Office. Some office equipment may also be purchased with grant funding, such as desks, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, cupboards and other office furniture as approved by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund Office. Community Contribution: construction of the health center facility; staff salaries, and transportation of goods from vendor to the project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: The group has priced equipment and submitted pro-forma invoices to the Ministry of Health/District Office for approval before submitting them to the Self-Help Fund office. The purpose of doing so is for the professionals in the District Health Office to verify that the equipment is suitable to the mandate and expertise of this community health center and will be useful within its operations. ¶10. Group/Project Funded: CADA Self Help Group (Community Accelerated Development Agency) IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-003 Province: Central District: Thika Description of Activity: to expand a small-scale bakery as an income-generating opportunity for the group, which is teaching nutrition to HIV/AIDS infected and affected people. Number of Beneficiaries: 20 group members and the broader community from lessons on nutrition and access to inexpensive baked products. United Sates Contribution: $3,500.00 These funds are intended for the purchase of equipment for bakery operations, such as charcoal-fired ovens, pans, measuring and mixing units, gumboots, dust coats, scales, bread crates/baskets, display shelves, and items for use in nutrition demonstrations such as flasks, mugs, kerosine stoves, and up to 3 bicycles. Community Contribution: tables and stools and/or benches, transportation of goods from vendor(s) to the project site, members' labor to manage bakery operations and perform nutrition demonstrations and site visits, security for site, and utilities such as electricity and water. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: The Chairman of CADA has informed us that the group is having some internal management problems and my not, at this time, be ready to expand its operation. The Self-Help Office is coordinating with the District Social Development Officer to determine the true nature of the situation and if there can be an effective solution to get the project back on track within the grant's timeframe. In the meantime, we are holding the group's pro-forma invoice and will not request a check until we are satisfied that the project remains viable. ¶11. Group/Project Funded: Help Widows and Orphans Self- Help Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-004 Province: Nyanza District: Migori Description of Activity: to enhance a community library that aims to provide an alternative education source for local business people, individuals enhancing their job knowledge, and school drop-outs. Number of Beneficiaries: 1,275 households or 10,200 (the population of Migori Town). United Sates Contribution: $6,000.00 This grant may be used to purchase both fiction and non- fiction books, including textbooks on business, law, computer, trade, and health. Some office furniture, as necessary for the outfitting of a basic library, may also be purchased with grant funding, such as tables, chairs, shelves and other items as approved. Some grant funds may also be used for purchase of construction materials as needed for library modification, with prior consultation and approval by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund. Community Contribution: table, chairs, typewriter, printer, librarian's salaries, production of some information/education materials; and transportation of goods from vendor to the project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: The Self-Help Office has requested a local currency check (for approximately $1,452) for modifications of the facility and construction of shelves and library tables. We will hold the other invoices for additional furniture and books until the group receives and uses the construction materials. When they are closer to being able to shelve the books, we will process that order. This project manager is very attentive and checks in with the Self-Help Fund Office frequently. ¶12. Group/Project Funded: Homelink Nyaura Self-Help Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-005 Province: Nyanza District: Kisii Description of Activity: to protect 10 fresh water springs and provide sources of clean, safe water to area residents. Number of Beneficiaries: 1,500 households or approximately 12,000 people. United Sates Contribution: $5,500.00 The grant will purchase construction materials and services, such as cement, polythene sheeting, timber, galvanized iron pipes, wire mesh, fencing wire, nails and skilled labor. Community Contribution: sand, ballast, hardcore, fence posts, chlorine and alum, unskilled labor, appropriate landscaping and maintenance for catchment protection, and transportation of goods from vendor to the project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: This group has been working with its District Water Officer in order to determine the correct amounts of materials. We have some of their pro-forma invoices and are expecting others to arrive shortly. We await more information before requesting checks for this project. ¶13. Group/Project Funded: Ilemai Community Water Project IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-006 Province: Rift Valley District: Kajiado Description of Activity: to expand a water system for a Maasai community that will add a 50-cubic-meter storage tank, community tap, two livestock troughs and piping to a local market and dispensary. Number of Beneficiaries: 625 households (or approximately 5,000 people) and approximately 2,400 cattle and goats. United Sates Contribution: $7,000.00 The grant may be used to purchase materials for construction of a 50-cubic-meter water tank, community tap and livestock troughs, such as sand, ballast, cement, wire mesh, reinforcing bars, binding wire, chicken wire, Galvanized pipes and fittings. Remaining funds, if any, may be used toward the purchase of pipes to go to from the tank to dispensary and local market. Community Contribution: ballast, hardcore, skilled and unskilled labor, and transportation of goods from vendor to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: With the assistance of the Divisional Water Officer, this group has finalized its Bill of Quantities and submitted initial pro-forma invoices. Both the Project Manager and Water Officer are in communication with the Self-Help Office. ¶14. Group/Project Funded: Kamuga-Kahuruko Community Services IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-007 Province: Central District: Kiambu Description of Activity: to supply tailoring equipment to expand and enhance a program teaching sewing skills to girls who have dropped out of school, most of whom are orphans. Number of Beneficiaries: 30-40 students per year; community and families of the students due to income potential. United Sates Contribution: $5,000.00 Grant funds will purchase sewing equipment such as sewing and embroidery machines, including overlock machines. Remaining funds may be used for miscellaneous tailoring items such as scissors, tape measures, iron. Community Contribution: transportation of goods from vendor(s) to the project site, rent and utilities for workshop, salaries for two instructors, training manager, watchman and bookkeeper, and raw materials used in training, such as cloth, thread and batting. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: As we submit this cable, the group has just taken possession of the equipment and the Ambassador has dedicated the project. ¶15. Group/Project Funded: Kianjagi Water Project IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-008 Province: Central District: Kirinyaga Description of Activity: to construct a water storage tank and extend a pipeline and community taps to give this rural community access to clean, safe water. Number of Beneficiaries: 250 households or approximately 2,000 people as well as schools, a church, cattle dip, and police post. United Sates Contribution: $10,000.00 The grant will be used for the purchase of construction materials for a 50-cubic-meter tank, such as cement, polythene sheeting, reinforcing bars, timber, wire mesh, galvanized pipes, nails, paint, and skilled labor. Remaining grant funds are to be used for the purchase of pipes and fittings for pipelines. Community Contribution: locally available construction materials for the tank, such as sand, ballast, hardcore and water, unskilled labor in tank site preparation and the laying of pipes, and transportation of goods from vendor(s) to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: This project is in process, receiving technical assistance from the District Water Office. The first tranche of funds has been requested. ¶16. Group/Project Funded: Kwale Community Health Centre IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-009 Province: Eastern District: Makueni Description of Activity: to add equipment to the locale's community health center in order for it to expand and enhance services to local patients. Number of Beneficiaries: 1,000 households or approximately 8,000 people. United Sates Contribution: $5,500.00 The grant is intended for the purchase of medical equipment and items such as hospital beds, mattresses, drug trolley, screen with curtains, stainless steel pedal bins, adult scales, infant scales, examination couch, delivery couch, diagnostic set, I.V. stands, and other items as approved by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund Office. Community Contribution: construction of the health center, staff salaries for lab technician and watchman, procurement of drugs and laboratory reagents, and transportation of goods from vendor to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: Kwale Community Health Centre has delivered pro-forma invoices valued at approximately $5,358. The Self-Help Office has processed requests for Advances; these checks are not yet issued. ¶17. Group/Project Funded: Majengo Self Help Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-010 Province: Eastern District: Machakos Description of Activity: to provide equipment that will expand the group's bar soap-making operation as an income- generating activity, with profits supporting orphans in the area. Number of Beneficiaries: 30 members and the 50 orphans currently supported by the group. United Sates Contribution: $3,000.00 The grant will purchase a bar soap extruder complete with 3- phase motor, heat gun/sealer, and transportation of goods from vendor to project site. Any remaining funds may be used, with approval by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund Office, for non-chemical materials or items used toward production or packaging. Community Contribution: consultancy fees and transport costs for extruder manufacturers to travel from Nairobi to teach the members how to use it; hiring a hall for the training session, rent for site in which to house and operate extruder, installation and payment for electricity at site, security, labor, and raw materials used in soap- making. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: This group promptly obtained pro-forma invoices and their checks have been requested, valued at approximately $2,780. Remaining funds will be put toward promotional or processing materials. This project manager has taken to heart our advice to stay in touch and either phones, or sends a short report regularly. ¶18. Group/Project Funded: Mbiuni Health Center Self Help Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-011 Province: Eastern District: Machakos Description of Activity: to construct a large water storage tank (up to 150-cubic-meters) on a local health center compound so that clean, water is always available for clinic needs. Number of Beneficiaries: 30,000 community members who are clients of the health center. United Sates Contribution: $5,000.00 Grant funds may be used for the purchase of construction materials, such as building stones or bricks, cement, reinforcing bars, timber, binding wire, barbed wire, wire mesh, pipes and fittings, nails, paint, and skilled labor. Community Contribution: locally available construction materials for tank, such as sand, ballast, hardcore, water, murram and items for rain catchment from roof(s),such as box gutters, down pipes, gutter brackets and elbows, unskilled labor, and transportation of goods from vendor(s) to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: From signing the grant agreement, this group proceeded to develop and update its Bills of Quantities. The group's pro-forma invoices have arrived in the SSH Office and will be processed shortly. ¶19. Group/Project Funded: Mwanjila Youth Polytechnic IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-012 Province: Coast District: Taita Description of Activity: to provide assorted tools and equipment for vocational training in motor vehicle mechanics in order to improve course instruction and provide the institution with the capacity to increase enrollment. Number of Beneficiaries: 60 motor vehicle mechanics students per year. United Sates Contribution: $4,500.00 Grant funds will purchase mechanics' equipment such as drill machine, air compressor, angular grinder, lathe machine, blower, allen keys, tee handle, long and short extensions, wrenches, gauges, jacks, torque wrench, tool kit boxes, valve squeezer, and two-leg pullers. Community Contribution: salary for an additional staff person, construction of a new improved workshop for Motor Vehicle Mechanics, training materials, and transportation of goods from vendor to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: This school has begun construction on the new Motor Vehicle Mechanics Workshop, although progress is now slowed during the current "short" rainy season. The group has submitted pro-forma invoices committing the majority of its grant funds. ¶20. Group/Project Funded: Nyeri Deaf Self Help Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-013 Province: Central District: Nyeri Description of Activity: to upgrade an exisiting program that offers deaf members of the community access to sewing, knitting, and carpentry tools and training to enhance their income opportunities and impart job skills to others. Number of Beneficiaries: currently 40 deaf men and women and untold future students. United Sates Contribution: $5,000.00 This grant may be used to purchase sewing/tailoring equipment including two knitting machines, an embroidery machine and a sewing machine. Funds may also be used to buy carpentry equipment, such as a lathe and multi-purpose machine, and other carpentry tools. Community Contribution: transportation of goods from vendor(s) to project site, rent for site, members' labor in teaching students skills in sewing, knitting and carpentry, members' labor for the production of saleable items and raw materials including yarn, cloth, ribbons, thread, timber, nails, glue, paint, and upholstery materials. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: Nyeri Deaf Self-Help Group has submitted invoices valued at approximately $4,675 and checks will be disbursed as soon as they are processed. Inasmuch as the group already has a few pieces of equipment (some of it borrowed) it continues its work. ¶21. Group/Project Funded: Nyiboro Ukwala Women Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-014 Province: Nyanza District: Siaya Description of Activity: to improve and expand the group's localized, small-scale grain storage facilities to enhance income with profits going to support orphaned children in the group's care. Number of Beneficiaries: 280 villagers (35 members & their families) as well as the broader community. United Sates Contribution: $4,500.00 These Self-Help Funds may be used to purchase a portable storage silo, tarpaulins, weight scale, up to 10 wheelbarrows, spades and bicycles, up to 5 pairs of gumboots and gloves, dust coats. Community Contribution: transportation of silo and other goods from vendor(s) to project site, site for silo on member's land, purchase of grain and transportation of grain from buying to selling point, members' labor and management at facility, 5 wheelbarrows and 4 bicycles previously purchased by group. In the future, the group plans to relocate the portable silo onto a site in town which has yet to be purchased. Nyiboro Ukwala Women Group has saved KSh 45,000/ toward the KSh 75,000/ purchase price of the land. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: The group has submitted a pro-forma invoice, but the Self-Help Office is holding it until some points are clarified with the group. When the questions have been satisfactorily answered, we will process the request for a check. The group will expect to buy grain in December and January, from the "short" rainy season harvest. ¶22. Group/Project Funded: Sivillie Youth Welfare Association IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-015 Province: Western District: Kakamega Description of Activity: to supply equipment to enable this sewing/tailoring training program for widows and orphans to add a second year of practicum experience, improving technical and business skills for future self- employment. Number of Beneficiaries: 20 widows and orphans per year and the family members of trainees. United Sates Contribution: $5,500.00 Grant funds may be used for the purchase of sewing/tailoring equipment, such as sewing and knitting machines, and other miscellaneous items such as scissors, tape measures, iron. Community Contribution: building rental, instructors' salaries, teaching materials, sewing machines, maintenance for all sewing machines and knitting machines, and transportation of equipment from vendor(s) to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: Members of the Executive Committee met with the Self-Help Fund Coordinators a few weeks after the grant was signed. The purpose was to develop a plan for the training program and fine-tune expectations of its direction after the new equipment is received. The group recently took possession of its sewing machines and this payment has been liquidated, completing the grant. ¶23. Group/Project Funded: Webuye Physically Disabled Self Help Group IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05016 Province: Western District: Bungoma Description of Activity: to construct public toilet facilities at Webuye Bus Park that will be owned and operated by the group's physically disabled members to provide new income. Number of Beneficiaries: 85 physically handicapped people; an untold number of bus passengers. United Sates Contribution: $8,000.00 This grant may be used to purchase construction materials such as bricks, hardcore, sand, ballast, cement, murram, polythene sheeting, hoop iron, timber, iron sheets, nails, steel re-bars, binding wire, water tanks, pipes, plumbing fixtures and fittings, fence posts, fence wire, electrical fittings, paint, foot slabs, and bathroom rails. Community Contribution: land, preparation of blueprints, unskilled and skilled labor, and the transportation of goods from vendor to project site. Date Obligated: August 17, 2005 Project Status: The group has submitted a pro-forma invoice for the initial construction materials and disbursement (approximately $5,505) will be made as soon as it is processed. REQUEST FOR 2006 SELF-HELP FUNDS -------------- ¶24. Self-Help/Kenya considers proposals for project activities within five areas: Water, Medical Equipment, Vocational Training Equipment, Conservation of the Environment, and Income-Generating Activities. This office will send its request for FY 2006 funds in support of this program by separate cable. BELLAMY