Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10PRAIA21
2010-01-15 18:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Praia
Cable title:  

CAPE VERDE: FY10 AMERICAN CORNER SUSTAINING FUNDS REQUEST

Tags:  KPAO OIIP KIRC 
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VZCZCXRO9917
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHPA #0021/01 0151847
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151847Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY PRAIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1909
INFO RUEHPA/AMEMBASSY PRAIA 2855
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

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