The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Melissa Chea-Annan
14 October 2008
Two non-government organizations operating in Liberia, Kpatawee Community Development Association and the Sharpe Home Care Services were happy beneficiaries of a grant of US$177,000 from the United States African Development Foundation over the weekend.
The two separate grants that are expected to benefit a total of 405 Liberians are aimed at increasing income to marginalized entrepreneurs and creating sustainable social structures within beneficiary communities.
Prior to the signing ceremony at the United States Embassy in Monrovia, the Political and Economic Counselor of the United States Embassy, Steven Koutsis said the 405 Liberians will directly benefit from improvements made to their businesses and live with countless others to indirectly benefit as a result of the United States African Development Foundation.
The first grant was given to the head of the Kpatawee Community Development Association, Madam Garman Sumo of Bong County who wants to generate income from ecotourism activities around the "Kpatawee Water-Falls.
Two affected communities, which have a population of 105 villagers located in Suacoco are expected to receive the amount of US$75,236.
According to the Embassy official, the money that will be received over 15 months will be used to enhance the capacity of the beneficiaries to provide eco-tourism services around the waterfall and earn higher incomes for themselves.
Counselor Koutsis explained that the second grant which was received by the Executive Director of the Sharpe Home Care Services, Betty Sharpe will be used to empower and improve the lives of its members, by providing them with wider access to finance through a microfinance scheme.
Members of the Sharpe Home Care Services include underprivileged, vulnerable and war-affected women. Sharpe Home Care Services is located on the outskirts of Monrovia in Montserrado County.
According to the Counselor, the three-year US$99,700 grant given to the Sharpe Home Care Services will improve income levels of its members by developing and institutionalizing an appropriate and effective financial and management system, establishing a micro-lending scheme with a 98% target repayment rate, and increasing the group's total interest income by over 400% over three years.
The recipients in separate statements praised the United States African Development Foundation for the grants. They assured the counselor that the grants would be used for its intended purpose to impact in the lives of its members and the society at large.
The United States African Development Foundation is dedicated to directly funding African business ideas and the grants that were given to the two groups over the weekend were intended to improve their members' livelihoods.
The grants will also pay for governance and management training, financial and accounting reporting system, environment and business assessment for enhanced eco-tourism facilities, office construction equipment and strategic plan for eco-tourism.
According to the Embassy Official, the Foundation has funded directly nearly 1,100 African projects in 18 African nations, representing in excess of US$150 million in support of African enterprises and local African communities.
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