GABORONE SSHF STATUS REPORT FOR FY 2008

UNCLAS GABORONE 000400

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/S, AF/EPS
PRETORIA PLEASE PASS TO USAID/SOUTHERN AFRICA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID BC
SUBJECT: GABORONE SSHF STATUS REPORT FOR FY 2008


1. Summary: During FY 2008, Embassy Gaborone received an allocation
of USD 40,000 for the Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund Program
(SSHF). Five projects were selected for funding according to SSHF
selection criteria and Post objectives expressed in the Mission
Strategic Plan. Providing sewing equipment to help a women's group,
assisting an agricultural program for a school for the blind and
purchasing irrigation equipment to aid a community garden project in
an increasingly arid part of Botswana are just some of the projects
that the Mission supported this year. Post estimates that 1330
people will be assisted from October 2008 until September 2009, but
this number is deceptively low. The sewing project alone provides
inexpensive uniforms to those working throughout Botswana and the
school for the blind enrolls new students every year who will
continue to benefit from the improvements to their agricultural
program for years to come. End Summary.


2. The Self-Help Coordinator for Botswana is Ronald Taylor. He can
be reached by phone at +267-395-3982, extension 2334 and via email
at TaylorRM@state.gov.


3. Project Details:

Grantee Name: Tshesebe Outreach Project for Youth (TOP Banana)
Agreement number: SSH-08-663-01
Project Title: Sewing Revenue Project
Amount of Grant: USD 9515.00
Total Amount Advance Un-liquidated: USD 1289.73
Description of Activity: Purchase six sewing machines to assist this
community non-profit with the manufacture of basic clothing for the
needy and to generate income by selling uniforms and safety vests to
the increasing number of mine and factory employees in the area.
The group assists those who are too poor to purchase clothing, the
businesses benefit by purchasing quality products locally made that
are less expensive than imports, and the organization becomes self
sustaining.
Estimated Number of Beneficiaries: 300 per year (150 men and 150
women)
Status of Project: Sewing machines are purchased and operational.
Due to a favorable exchange rate last year, the organization
received more money than the estimated and received approval from
USAID Pretoria to spend the funds on other project related items.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2008

Grantee Name: Boiteko Trust
Agreement number: SSH-08-663-02
Project Title: Horticultural Project
Amount of Grant: USD 8650.00
Total Amount Advance Un-liquidated: USD 4230.91
Description of Activity: Purchase of water holding tank, irrigation
equipment, and shade netting to assist with the development of a
community agricultural project. All of the labor is supplied by the
local community to decrease costs, increase the amount of the grant
that is spent on durable goods, to conduct trainings on construction
principles, and how to maintain properly the project once it is
completed. The community has little farmable land and all produce
is imported, which is expensive. With this grant, the Trust was
able to develop the land to teach the community how to grow fruits
and vegetables. The project now provides local produce to the
community at a reduced cost, which has helped the Boiteko Trust to
expand their outreach programs to assist others in the area.
Estimated Number of Beneficiaries: 160 men and 160 women, Total 320
Status of Project: The irrigation portion of the project is
completed and the shade structure is under construction but is not
complete. Due to a favorable exchange rate last year, the
organization received more money than estimated and has received
approval from USAID Pretoria to spend the funds on other project
related items.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2008

Grantee Name: Love Botswana Outreach Mission
Agreement number: SSH-08-663-03
Project Title: Women's Economic Empowerment Orchard Program
Amount of Grant: USD 6950.00
Total Amount Advance Un-liquidated: USD 4818.73
Description of Activity: Purchase of raw materials for a shade
structure, garden tools, irrigation equipment, and hardware to
expand an agricultural project in Maun. The project was developed
and is cultivated by unemployed women in the area. Love Botswana
uses the plot to provide training to the women. This project also
offers the trainees a source of income from selling some of the
produce they cultivate and it provides another source of
nourishment. Some of the profits from selling produce to the local
community have funded classes for disadvantaged women in the area in
topics like; financial management, parenting skills, HIV/AIDS, and
other health related topics.
Estimated Number of Beneficiaries: 100 males and 250 females, total
350 people
Status of Project: The shade structure is erected and the irrigation
system is under construction. The group has had difficulty finding
a reliable supplier for the gardening equipment and is still waiting
for delivery of those items. Due to a favorable exchange rate last
year, the organization received more money than estimated and
received approval from USAID Pretoria to spend the funds on other
project related items.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2008

Grantee Name: Motswedi Rehabilitation Centre
Agreement number: SSH-08-633-04
Project Title: Garden Expansion
Amount of Grant: USD 8250.00
Total Amount Advance Un-liquidated: USD 5652.12
Description of Activity: Purchase shade netting, supports, hardware,
garden tools, and irrigation equipment to assist a rehabilitation
center for the disabled in expanding their existing garden plot.
The plot serves as a training ground for the students in proper
agricultural techniques. The food harvested is used to feed those
attending the school and any excess is sold to the local community
to generate income for the center.
Estimated Number of Beneficiaries: 80 men and 80 women, total 160
Status of Project: The shade structure is completed and the
irrigation portion is still under construction. Sadly, the director
for this project passed away unexpectedly and the project lay
dormant, but recent contact has shown that the project is again
moving forward.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2008

Grantee Name: Pudulogong Rehabilitation and Development Trust for
the Blind
Agreement number: SSH-08-633-05
Project Title: Shade Structure
Amount of Grant: USD 6635.00
Total Amount Advance Un-liquidated: USD 579.41
Description of Activity: Purchase of wooden vertical supports and
shade netting to build a shade structure and for gardening
equipment. The Pudulogong Center educates visually impaired
students on the science and practical aspects of several different
disciplines. In the agricultural department, the students learn to
cultivate food for personal use and are prepared to work in the
agriculture trade. The center uses alternative teaching methods to
address the needs of the visually impaired. The center uses the
food grown in the project to feed the students attending classes and
sells any additional food to the local community. Due to a
favorable exchange rate last year, the organization received more
money than estimated and received approval from USAID Pretoria to
spend the funds on other project related items.
Estimated Number of Beneficiaries: 100 men and 100 women, total 200
Status of Project: Shade structure is complete and they have
received their tools. They are waiting for quotes to liquidate the
remaining amount.
Fiscal Year Funds: FY 2008


4. Although grantees did not receive their funds until December
2008, Post is working with all grantees to enable monies to be
liquidated on or before September 30, 2009.

NOLAN