MASERU APPEALS FOR ADDITIONAL SSH AND DHRF FUNDING

UNCLAS MASERU 000368

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/EPS FOR CAROL TRIMBLE; AF/RSA FOR MARINDA HARPOLE;
AF/S FOR LINDA MUNCY; GABORONE FOR WALTER HAMMOND

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PHUM KDEM LT
SUBJECT: MASERU APPEALS FOR ADDITIONAL SSH AND DHRF FUNDING



1. SUMMARY: As AF/EPS and AF/RSA consider the best ways to
distribute end of year Special Self Help (SSH) and Democracy and
Human Rights (DHRF) funding, Embassy Maseru's Special Projects
office respectfully requests that these offices consider U.S.
Mission Maseru as a highly productive and engaged partner in
maximizing the impact of these resources. In the SSH realm, our
mission has been flooded with viable projects -- $650,000 worth
of projects competing for a $60,000 pot. This year's level of
competition among so many viable projects for SSH and DHRF
funding proves that Embassy Maseru's primary contraint is
funding, not good partners. Our Embassy is growing, with our
staff increasing by 12 new positions through the MCC and PEPFAR
programs which are synchronized with our SSH and DHRF projects.
We hope these programs can grow to keep pace with the overall
efforts of our mission. END SUMMARY.

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Special Self Help Funding
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2. As the Department determines allocations to the Special
Self-Help Fund for FY2007, U.S. Embassy Maseru would like to
reiterate the benefits of an increased allotment to Lesotho. In
FY2006, we received $60,000, down from $69,000 in FY2005. We
are currently flooded with viable SSH proposals. We have
received over 130 proposals for FY2007, averaging $5,000 per
proposal. The 17 proposals we were able to fund in FY2006 have
all been extremely successful. From the construction of
classrooms at schools in remote districts to assistance to
income-generating programs for HIV/AIDS support groups, our 2006
SSH projects have put U.S. assistance on the map in Lesotho,
especially at the grassroots level. To address the fundamental
needs here, we would hope to increase our allotment to $100,000
for FY2007.

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Demcracy and Human Rights Funding
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3. As the Department also determines allocations to the
Democracy and Human Rights Fund for FY2007, U.S. Embassy Maseru
would like to reiterate the benefits of an increased allotment
to Lesotho. In FY2006, we received $30,000 and were able to
fund five highly successful programs, from Voter Education in
the run-up to the National Election this year to educating women
on their rights in land ownership and inheritance, and
empowering them against violence. These programs provided
excellent press and outreach throughout the country. We are
also innundated with viable DHRF proposals for 2007. We hope to
increase our allotment to $100,000 for FY2007.

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Our Appeal
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4. COMMENT: Our Embassy is growing, with our staff increasing
by at least 12 new positions through the MCC and PEPFAR
programs, which are synchronized with our SSH and DHRF projects.
We hope that these programs can grow to keep pace with the
overall efforts of our mission. Embassy Maseru's Special
Projects office would like to thank AF/EPS, AF/RSA, and USAID
Gaborone for their consideration in this matter, and stands
prepared to offer any additional information which would be
helpful. END COMMENT.

MURPHY