DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FUND PROPOSALS

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000313 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PHUM SOCI ZA SUBJECT: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FUND PROPOSALS REF: STATE 44119 ¶1. In response to the reftel solicitation for Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) proposals, Embassy Lusaka is pleased to submit the following two projects for consideration with a total allocation of USD 19,000. Embassy Lusaka originally selected these projects in FY 2008 but did not fund them due to lack of DHRF resources. The proposed grantees are notable for their efforts to engage in democracy and human rights outreach in some of the most rural and inaccessible areas in Zambia (a country whose geographic size exceeds that of California and Nevada combined). ¶2. Proposed DHRF grantees and descriptions follow, in rank order: ¶A. Project Name: Paralegal Development Through Translated and Reproduced Publications, Educational Materials, Incentives Proposed Grantee: Law and Development Association (LADA) Location: Monze, Southern Province Beneficiaries: approximately 250 paralegals US Contribution: USD 15,000 Project Description: This program relies entirely on paralegal volunteers who are committed to improving the legal, social and economic status of women and children throughout Zambia. Paralegals are volunteers trained by LADA to counsel, assist and refer individuals with legal problems in their community. This project will provide the paralegals with written materials (in English and Tonga) that inform and educate Zambians on their legal rights. It will also provide ID badges for the paralegals, bicycles to facilitate travel, and various tools to ensure that they are efficient and effective as they assist victims of human rights violations. Project Supports Mission Goals: Recognizing how a strong democracy raises all citizens, this project is designed to support service providers who exemplify active citizenship at the grassroots level. ¶B. Project Name: Awareness of Child Labor/Exploitation Proposed Grantee: Child Life Touch Location: Ndola, Copperbelt Province Beneficiaries: 60 orphan/youth/community leaders US Contribution Requested: USD 4,000 Project Description: to sensitize community to perils of child labor and exploitation Project Supports Mission Goals: Creating awareness to the perils of child exploitation is a first step to eradicating child abuse. It is hoped that this awareness will help reintegrate exploited children back into mainstream life, including school. BOOTH