PRM 2006 AMBASSADORS' FUND PROPOSAL FOR

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002199

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR PRM/ANE AND NEA/IPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM KWBG
SUBJECT: PRM 2006 AMBASSADORS' FUND PROPOSAL FOR
PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN GAZA CAMP

REF: STATE 041367


1. (U) Summary. Post requests that PRM consider funding a
Gaza Strip refugee camp project under the Ambassadors' Fund
for Refugees program (reftel). The proposal requests USD
21,740 to support a project by the Palestinian NGO, Palestine
Save the Children Foundation, to educate Palestinian women
residing in the al-Maghazi refugee camp (population, 22,000
refugees) on sewing skills and management training for
small-scale enterprises. End summary.

Proposed Grant Recipient: Income Generation
Project For Sewing Factory in Gaza's Maghazi Camp
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2. (U) Palestine Save the Children Foundation (PSCF),a
Palestinian NGO established in 1999 to promote development
among refugees and other disadvantaged communities in Gaza,
is proposing a non-formal education and income generating
project for women residing in the al-Maghazi refugee camp.
The project, which would be conducted in coordination with
the al-Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society, would
involve the establishment of a sewing factory for women that
would include the necessary equipment, tools, and accessories
to be used for future production activities. Prior to
launching the factory, approximately 120 women would be
provided training courses in advanced sewing skills and
management of small-scale enterprises. Modest wages for the
instructor would be provided in the budget. The PSCF
believes that the project would increase the number of women
wage-earners to provide support for needy Palestinian
families facing immediate financial problems. The project
would also include awareness workshops to instruct the women
on gender and women rights issues.


3. (U) The project would include the formation of a local
management committee to oversee project implementation,
followed by the hiring of a sewing instructor and purchasing
of the necessary equipment. Training in sewing skills and
management of small-scale enterprises would last
approximately 10 weeks, and would include two weeks of
awareness workshops on women issues. The remainder of the
project would focus on developing the women into marketable
seamstresses, and using their finished products as income to
continue operations beyond the completion of the one-year
project.

The Budget: USD 21,740
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4. (U) The budget breaks down as follows:

-- Purchase of equipment including electrical sewing machines
(10),chairs (10),sewing accessories, rental and electricity
fees: USD 13,540.

-- Fees associated with sewing instructor, project
coordinator, sewing training courses, and awareness
workshops: USD 8,200.

-- Total: USD 21,740.

Monitoring and Oversight
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5. (U) Due to USG restrictions on travel to Gaza by
American staff, ConGen oversight of the al-Maghazi Camp
project would be conducted by a local employee of the PD
section who resides in Gaza. Post has the authority and
procedures in place to transfer funds to the intended
recipient.

Stevens