Speeches

Remarks by Chargé d'Affaires, a.i., Stephen Schwartz, at the
Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program Grants Signing Ceremony

Monday, June 19, 2006
Labourdonnais Hotel, Caudan Waterfront

Representatives of the recipient organizations
Members of the press and media
Honored Guests

Thank you for joining me this morning for the signing ceremony of the 2006 Ambassador’s Special Self Help Grants.  On behalf of the United States government, I’d like to congratulate all the organizations who have been selected to receive the grants.  Your hard work and initiative are vital to better address community needs throughout Mauritius. 

The Ambassador’s Special Self Help fund was designed to assist small-scale development projects that improve basic socioeconomic conditions at the grassroots level.  It is intended, as the name implies, to help people help themselves.  The primary objective is to be a financial catalyst to help launch or expand programs towards self-sufficiency. 

This year, the Embassy has selected thirteen projects in Mauritius and two in Rodrigues to receive a total of over 1.3 million rupees.  Since the fund’s inception in Mauritius in 1968, the U.S. government has funded 945 projects totaling over 74 million rupees. 

These projects have addressed a wide range of issues such as vocational education, environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and poverty alleviation.  Beneficiaries have included orphaned children, the physically and mentally challenged, the elderly, and impoverished communities. 

Previous recipients of Self Help funding have successfully utilized the grants to effect positive change for underserved populations.  I have been impressed at the effective use of funds and resources, and encourage you to perpetuate the success of the Ambassador’s Special Self Help Program by using the grant judiciously and in a timely manner.

Again, congratulations for being selected as a recipient of the 2006 Ambassador’s Special Self Help Grants. I look forward to seeing your good work.

Thank you.