Presentation of Ambassador's special Self-help (SSH) program checks to local communities

Ambassador Barry L. Wells being interviewed by journalists

On Friday, March 13, 2008 Ambassador Barry L. Wells held the second signing ceremony for this year’s Ambassador’s Special Self-Help (SSH) program with local community representatives at the Embassy grounds.  The SSH is a grassroots assistance program that allows U.S. embassies to respond relatively quickly to local requests from small community-based development projects. Checks amounting to D290, 400 (USD 11,692) were presented to representatives of three communities. The money will support projects in garden fencing in Bumari and provision of milling machines to two communities in Jappineh and Bassending. Ambassador Wells during his remarks said, “The Ambassador’s Special Self Help Fund is one of the strongest links between individual communities and the US Embassy, and we are always proud to be part of your community’s development.

The signing ceremony demonstrated the USG’s support for local economic development initiatives.  SSH is our most successful program in the Gambia, enabling us to meet real needs at the village level in The Gambia.  The ceremony received extensive coverage in all the major newspapers.