CAPE VERDE: FY10 AMERICAN CORNER SUSTAINING FUNDS REQUEST

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRAIA 000021 SIPDIS AF/PDPA FOR TIJEN AYBAR, IIP/IR FOR BARBARA CONATY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO OIIP KIRC SUBJECT: CAPE VERDE: FY10 AMERICAN CORNER SUSTAINING FUNDS REQUEST REF: 09 STATE 123621 ¶1. (U) Summary: PAS Praia is requesting 10,000 USD (see para 8) from the American Corner Sustaining Funds to strengthen the operation of American Corner (AC) Mosteiros by augmenting print, electronic and audio-visual collections, purchasing equipment, increasing outreach efforts, and training and development of AC staff. The AC Mosteiros program is closely tied to post's key MSP goal of strengthening Cape Verde's young democracy through investment in education. The American Corner is an inter-connected part of our efforts to keep children in school, increase interest in advanced education, provide support (including academic advising services) for students wanting to study in the US, and strengthening English language capabilities in Cape Verde. As such, it is an immensely important program for Mission Praia. End summary. ¶2. (U) FY09 Funding: Post supported AC Mosteiros with material and book collection worth over 1,500 USD. Additionally, the Municipality of Mosteiros (the Host Institution) committed more than 20,000 USD for operation and programming cost. For FY 2010, post will support speakers' series and provide used computers. ¶3. (U) IRO Stephen Mallinger has reviewed and approved post's proposal request for FY10 sustaining funds. As a PD-light post, limited staffing and scarce resources pose great challenges. Nonetheless, post and the host institution remain committed to improving outreach efforts and programming at AC Mosteiros. ¶4. (U) To achieve these objectives, American Corner (AC) Mosteiros must continue to work with its host partner to: -- Purchase electronic equipment and augment English as a Second Language and audio visual collections: AC Mosteiros will purchase two computers, ESL books, and audio-visual materials (DVDs); -- Increase Speakers Program and Exhibits: AC Mosteiros will host two Academic Advising workshops for students interested in studying in the United States; a seminar on Domestic Violence and Setting up Battered Centers; collaborate with community based organizations to publicize the Corner's materials, programs and services and; -- Provide training to AC Coordinator: The AC Coordinator has never had any formal training. This year we hope to provide the Coordinator with two training opportunities; a regional workshop that is being planned for Abidjan and customized training in Dakar with our IRO who will focus on Portuguese language resources. ¶5. (U) Cape Verde has one AC on the island of Fogo. Located in the newly-remodeled Municipal Library, the AC has a strong partner in the municipal government. They support the costs of wages, utilities, and provide direct oversight for the AC activities. The library has provided excellent space for the Corner and in addition to the collection we can also now do programs. The center is currently staffed by Lucio Monteiro, AC Coordinator, and this change of coordinators is the catalyst that is revising our AC program. Thanks to Monteiro's presence, for the first time we have regular AC reporting and ongoing communication between our AC and our IRO, Stephen Mallinger. We have also begun receiving and disseminating USG documents translated into Portuguese. ¶6. (U) Post believes that, with sufficient funding, we will make the AC Mosteiros a vibrant outreach tool. A first step is to provide training funds to ensure we are giving our new AC Coordinator the tools he needs to make the center thrive. Therefore, Post requests $2,000 for the AC Coordinator to receive training in Dakar to get information from other, more established AC coordinators. We also request a couple of public access computers because computer science and information technology are both very important areas for the community. Another priority is to expand ESL collection, basic American Reference, and American literature both in Portuguese and English. The budget request includes a DVD collection and exhibit posters to maximize use of the space to share information. Lastly, the budget includes $2,000 to purchase a projector and an air conditioning unit. Since the island is warm most of the year, the air conditioning will help promote the number of programs and visitors to the center and allow for more visitors to be comfortable during programs. The majority of these expenses would be one time start-up costs, and we anticipate follow up with additional books each year. ¶7. (U) Information and budget: -- Number of visitors per year: 3,500 -- Number of programs held: 10 -- List of programs held: English Teaching by Peace Corps - John Myles PRAIA 00000021 002 OF 002 National Campaign for Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities Meeting Computer Training Book Presentation "A Outra Face Do Meu Ser" by Fabio Vieira Ethics and Professionalism Seminar Tourism Workshop Exhibition of Mosteiros Urban Plan Christmas Poem Competition Library Equipment Donation -- Total attendance at programs: varies -- Most popular programs (by category): Internet Cafe -- Most popular materials (by category): Computer science -- Audience reached (students, adults, professionals, and children): High school students and adults -- Number of Embassy oversight visits to AC (FSO, FSN): 2 -- Extent of media coverage of AC events: Limited, mostly radio coverage -- AC training provided: None in 2009 ¶8. (U) FY 2010 Budget in USD: Print and Audio-visual collections 3,000 Computers (2) 2,000 Computer Supplies 500 DVD player 200 Screen 300 Projector 1,000 Training 2,000 Air Conditioner Unit 1,000 Total Budget USD 10,000 MYLES