Remarks by Ambassador Cesar Cabrera at the Ambassador’s Special Self-Help and Democracy and Human Rights Fund Programs Signing Ceremony

Monday, May 12, 2008

U.S. Embassy

Representatives of the grantee organizations;
Members of the press and media; and honored guests.

It gives me great pleasure to be here today on behalf of the United States Government to sign our annual Self Help and Democracy and Human Rights Fund Agreements, and award seven NGO’s and community groups eight hundred and fifty thousand  rupees to implement their respective projects.

The Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program was established in Mauritius in 1968 by the United States Government, with the intent to improve basic economic, social, and environmental conditions at the community level and encourage grass-roots initiatives to solve problems.  Self Help activities, by definition, involve a significant contribution by beneficiaries of the funds, while the U.S. Embassy serves primarily to assist the beneficiaries in achieving their goals.  The Democracy and Human Rights Fund Program operates on this same principle of helping dynamic organizations advance democracy and human rights through funding progressive, effective and sound programs.

To date, the Embassy has funded 950 Self Help and DHRF projects for a total amount of approximately ninety million rupees in Mauritius and Rodrigues.  This year’s selected projects focus on supporting self-sustaining and capacity-building development programs.  Projects include an environmental protection program, an innovative agricultural program for students, a project to support HIV/AIDS sufferers, as well as a drug awareness and prevention campaign.

I am fascinated by the diverse projects selected and I am confident that these projects will have a direct impact on the lives of many Mauritian citizens.  Over the years, we have tried to diversify the range of sponsored activities so that more NGOs benefit from the scheme.  We also try to ensure that the assistance is equitably distributed throughout Mauritius and Rodrigues for innovative ideas.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the organizations here today for their initiatives and efforts to better their community.  The designers and implementers of projects are the real heroes of this ceremony today.  I applaud you for your commendable efforts-- and I thank you for the good works you undertake to complete your mission.  It is a pleasure to us at the U.S. Embassy to be part of your community

Thank you.