FY 2006 CALL FOR AMBASSADOR'S SPECIAL HELP PROGRAM FUNDING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MASERU 000053

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/EPS - MARGARET DECQUIR; GABORONE FOR USAID/RCSA
PASS TO USAID/AFR/DP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON LT
SUBJECT: FY 2006 CALL FOR AMBASSADOR'S SPECIAL HELP PROGRAM FUNDING
REQUESTS

REF: STATE 001255


1. SUMMARY: POST'S LONG-TERM GOALS IN LESOTHO PER THE FY 2006
MISSION PERFORMANCE PLAN REMAIN UNCHANGED AND ARE IN THE
FOLLOWING AREAS: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS, ECONOMIC GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT, AND GLOBAL HEALTH. POST STRIVES TO LINK SSH
REQUIREMENTS TO ABOVE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. SELF-HELP FUNDING
STILL REMAINS IMPORTANT TO POST AND THE HOST COUNTRY. VARIOUS
SSH ACTIVITIES FALL UNDER THE TWO LATTER CATEGORIES, VIZ,
ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF GRASSROOTS
COMMUNITIES AND BROAD SUPPORT TO THE HIV INFECTED AS WELL AS
ORPHANED AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN (OVCS). AS OVERALL SUB-SAHARA
REGIONAL ECONOMIC CLIMATE KEEPS DETERIORATING, LESOTHO'S IS NO
EXCEPTION AND HIV/AIDS CONTINUES TO POSE A VERY GRAVE THREAT TO
BASOTHO LIVELIHOODS. UNEMPLOYMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 45 PCT IS
STILL RIFE AND SHOWS NO SIGN OF DWINDLING. SSH FUNDS ARE
EXTREMELY USEFUL IN SUPPORTING POST'S EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE
PROGRESS TOWARDS THESE GOALS DUE TO THEIR FLEXIBILITY THOUGH
POST IS FULLY AWARE THAT THEY WOULD NEVER BE A "QUICK FIX" TO
EXISTING PROBLEMS, END SUMMARY.


2. IT IS IN THIS CONTEXT THAT POST REQUESTS FY 2006 FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF USD 150,000 FOR SSH ACTIVITIES IN LESOTHO. THE
FOLLOWING ARE SSH PROJECT PROPOSALS THUS FAR REVIEWED AND
DETERMINED WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION BY POST. POST STILL EXPECTS
SEVERAL SUBMISSIONS BEFORE THE END OF MAY THIS YEAR AS IS THE
NORM HERE.


3. PROJECT SUMMARIES OF PROSPECTS IN FY 2006 FOLLOW:

YOUTH FOR CHRIST LESOTHO - A MULTI-RACIAL, INTERDENOMINATIONAL
CHRISTIAN YOUTH ORGANIZATION WHOSE MAIN AIM IS TO DEVELOP YOUTH
BY ENGAGING THEM IN PROGRAMS THAT MAKE THEM REALIZE THE
IMPORTANCE OF CHANGING LIFESTYLES FOR THE BETTER. THE YOUTH
CENTER IS AIMED AT GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND KHUBETSOANA AREA A
PLACE WHERE THEY CAN DO THEIR HOME WORK AND READ BOOKS WHEN THEY
ARE NOT IN SCHOOL. GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO FINANCE
BOOKSHELVES, PARTITIONING OF A HALL IN ORDER TO CREATE LIBRARY
SPACE, AND WATER TANKS. ORGANIZATION SEEKS USD10,000.

RE MMOHO KATLEHISONG EA LESOTHO - AN ALREADY ACTIVE SEWING AND
KNITTING CLUB OF (CURRENTLY) TWELVE WOMEN WHO SEEK TO EXPAND
THEIR SERVICES AND BUY NEW MACHINES AND ACCESSORIES AS WELL AS
OTHER BASIC REQUIREMENTS. AMOUNT SOUGHT IS USD4,000.

SEITHATI WEAVERS - A FOURTEEN MEMBER STRONG COOPERATIVE OF WOMEN
WEAVERS WHO PRODUCE QUALITY TAPESTRIES, RUGS, SCARVES AND SHAWLS
OF LOCALLY PURCHASED, 100% MOHAIR. THE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED
TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A WEBSITE FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKETING.
THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS USD500.

THABA TSEKA ORPHANAGE OF HOPE - A CENTER THAT IS INTENDED TO
PROVIDE SHELTER FOR ORPHANED AND ABANDONED CHILDREN IN SETIBING
ALONG THE MOUNTAINOUS ROAD TO MOHALE DAM. THE SHELTER WILL BE
THE FIRST OF THE KIND IN THE AREA. GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO
REFURBISH SLEEPING ROOMS, KITCHEN, A COMMON ROOM AND RECEPTION
AREA, AND TO PURCHASE REQUIRED FURNITURE. THE ORGANIZATION
SEEKS USD8,000.

ABIA HIGH SCHOOL - THIS IS A FIFTEEN CLASSROOM SCHOOL WITH AN
ENROLLMENT OF 630 STUDENTS. THE FURNITURE CURRENTLY AT THE
SCHOOL IS VERY OLD AND MUCH OF IT IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL.
SCHOOL'S REQUEST IS SUPPORT FOR AT LEAST 150 DESKS FOR FOUR
CLASSROOMS. GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD8,500 WILL BE USED TO
PAY FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF THE DESKS. THE FURNITURE WILL BE
BUILT BY A LOCAL MANUFACTURER.

GETHSEMANY PRIMARY SCHOOL - THE COMMUNITY AROUND THIS SCHOOL HAS
CONSTRUCTED FOUR ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS TO ACCOMMODATE AN
INCREASING NUMBER OF STUDENTS DUE TO FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION.
THEY NEED ROOFING MATERIALS, WINDOWPANES AND DOORS TO COMPLETE
THE STRUCTURE. THEY SEEK USD3,500. (IN LESOTHO, PRIMARY
EDUCATION IS FREE IN THE SENSE THAT NO SCHOOL FEES ARE CHARGED,
BUT COMMUNITIES ARE OFTEN IN THE POSITION OF HAVING TO PROVIDE
SCHOOL BUILDINGS).

BEREA HORTICULTURAL FARMERS' ASSOCIATION - A HORTICULTURAL
PROJECT THAT PRODUCES FRUIT AND VEGETABLES FOR SALE AND
CONSUMPTION BY ITS 4,000 BENEFICIARIES. THEY REQUEST SUPPORT TO
PURCHASE IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT AMOUNTING TO USD6,000.

THUSANANG COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - AN ASSOCIATION OF 45
MEMBERS WHO HAVE EMBARKED ON A BROILER AND LAYER PROJECT. THEY
SEEK GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD5,500 TO PURCHASE FEED FOR THE
BIRDS.

MAMOHAU HOSPITAL - A CHURCH HOSPITAL SITUATED IN THE MOUNTAINOUS
INTERIOR OF LESOTHO IN THE KATSE DAM AREA. THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES
SERVICES TO A COMMUNITY SEVERELY AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS. THE
HOSPITAL PLANS TO EXTEND AND EXPAND VCT SERVICES AND NEEDS TWO

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COUNSELING ROOMS TO PERFORM EFFECTIVELY AND PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT. GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE BUILDING
MATERIALS TO CONSTRUCT THE ROOMS. THEY ARE SEEKING USD8,000.

MATSOKU COOP/CREDIT UNION - A GROUP OF 42 MEN AND WOMEN ENGAGING
IN VARIOUS INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES, E.G., WEAVING, SEWING,
BROILERS, AND LAYERS. GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD8,500 ARE
SOUGHT TO PURCHASE WEAVING AND SEWING MACHINES, BROILERS AND
LAYERS FOR THE COOPERATIVE.

PITSENG HIGH SCHOOL - SCHOOL HAS CONSTRUCTED WALLS AND ROOFING
FOR A LIBRARY SERVING 466 STUDENTS WHO LIVE ON THE GROUNDS OF
THE SCHOOL CAMPUS. THEY ARE SEEKING USD5,000 TO COMPLETE THE
LIBRARY BUILDING BY PUTTING IN A CEILING AND ADDING WIRING AND
LIGHTING.

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH DAY CARE CENTER - THE PROJECT'S PURPOSE IS
TO CARE FOR THE DESTITUTE AND THOSE ORPHANED BY HIV/AIDS IN THE
MOUNTAINOUS DISTRICT OF MOKHOTLONG. GRANT FUNDS WILL BE USED TO
BUILD CLASSES, TOILETS, SPACE FOR SLEEPING, AN OFFICE,
STOREROOM, KITCHEN AND PANTRY. THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS USD10,000.

LERATO HIV/AIDS SUPPORT GROUP - THIS GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TAKES
CARE OF A NUMBER OF HIV/AIDS INFECTED AND AFFECTED FAMILIES IN
THEIR COMMUNITY. THEY WANT TO START A SEWING PROJECT THROUGH
WHICH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO GENERATE INCOME TO ASSIST WITH OVCS'
SUPPORT IN SCHOOL. THE GROUP SEEKS USD8,400.

CHOOKO PRIMARY SCHOOL - THIS SCHOOL IS SITUATED IN ONE OF THE
MOST REMOTE AND MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF LESOTHO AND HAS AN
ENROLMENT OF 374 STUDENTS, MOST OF WHOM DO NOT HAVE DESKS. MANY
STUDENTS AT THIS SCHOOL SIT ON ROCKS IN THE CLASSROOM. SCHOOL
REQUESTS FUNDING TO PURCHASE AT LEAST 50 DOUBLE DESKS AT A COST
OF USD4,500.

SOAI PRIMARY SCHOOL - THIS SCHOOL IS IN A REMOTE AND MOUNTAINOUS
AREA OF LESOTHO AND HAS AN ENROLMENT OF 780 STUDENTS. THE
SCHOOL ALSO REACHES OUT TO OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH THROUGH AN
AFTER-SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP THAT FOCUSES ON LIFE SKILLS AND
HIV/AIDS PREVENTION. THE SCHOOL SEEKS FUNDING TO CONSTRUCT A
LIBRARY WHICH WILL BE USED BY BOTH THE STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY
MEMBERS. AN HIV/AIDS CORNER WILL BE SET UP IN THE LIBRARY.
GRANT FUNDS SOUGHT AMOUNT TO USD2,500.

GOOD SHEPHERD PRIMARY - AMONG ITS STUDENTS ARE ORPHANS AND OTHER
OVCS, PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED CHILDREN AND THOSE WITH
LEARNING DISABILITIES. THE SCHOOL WANTS TO START A VEGETABLE
GARDEN WHERE ALL STUDENTS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS IN
SELF-RELIANCE AND FOOD SECURITY. BUSINESS SKILLS WILL ALSO BE
TAUGHT, AS TEACHERS WILL GUIDE THEM IN HOW TO RUN THEIR GARDEN
AS A BUSINESS. THE PROJECT WILL COMPLEMENT THE HOME ECONOMICS,
PIGGERY, POULTRY AND FORESTRY PROJECTS ALREADY IN PLACE AT THE
SCHOOL. GRANT FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD1,500 WILL BE USED TO
PURCHASE GARDEN TOOLS, A SECURITY FENCE AND SEEDS WITH WHICH TO
START THE GARDEN.

RANKAKALA HIGH SCHOOL - THIS SCHOOL IS IN A VERY REMOTE AREA OF
LESOTHO. MOST OF THE STUDENTS COME GREAT DISTANCES ON FOOT TO
ATTEND THE SCHOOL. IN ORDER TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL, THE
SCHOOL WISHES TO CONSTRUCT A DORMITORY FOR GIRL STUDENTS. GRANT
FUNDS AMOUNTING TO USD8,000 ARE BEING SOUGHT TO PURCHASE
BUILDING MATERIALS AND TO PAY A CONTRACTOR.

TSEKA PRIMARY SCHOOL - THE SCHOOL MAINTAINS A VEGETABLE GARDEN

SIPDIS
AND PIGGERY IN SUPPORT OF ITS SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM. HOWEVER,
IT DOES NOT HAVE FENCING AROUND ITS PREMISES AND ANIMALS FROM
AROUND THE VILLAGE DESTROY THEIR VEGETABLE PATCH. THEY SEEK
USD6,000 TO PURCHASE FENCING MATERIALS.

KHUBELU COMMUNITY SANITATION PROJECT - THE PROJECT PURPOSE IS TO
PROVIDE VENTILATED PIT LATRINES (VIPS) FOR THE KHUBELU
COMMUNITY. HYGIENE WILL GREATLY BE IMPROVED FOR EVERY FAMILY TO
HAVE ITS OWN LATRINE AND THE COST OF THE HOUSES WILL ALSO BE
REDUCED AS OWNERS WILL NOT BE CHARGED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE
TOILETS. CURRENTLY A LARGE PERCENT OF THESE LOW-INCOME
HOMEOWNERS IS OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF CLOSURE OF SOME FACTORIES
IN THE LAST YEAR. FOR THIS, THE COMMUNITY REQUESTS GRANT FUNDS
TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY FOR CONSTRUCTION AMOUNTING TO
USD10,000.


4. POST REITERATES THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDING FOR LESOTHO PER OUR
MPP GOALS. GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF VIABLE PROJECTS USD125,000
SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT FOR THIS COUNTRY. PROGRAM HAS BEEN
CRITICAL TO THE USG'S OVERALL ABILITY TO ADDRESS HIV/AIDS AND
ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN (ESTIMATED AT 100-200,000).
POST IS ALSO EXPECTING MORE APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION UNDER
SSH FUNDING BETWEEN THE PRESENT AND MAY 2006. THE SSH PROGRAM
REMAINS INSTRUMENTAL IN ASSISTING LARGE COMMUNITIES IN THE RURAL
AREAS OF LESOTHO WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME BUT WITH

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MEASURABLE IMPACT.
PERRY