The United Stated Ambassador to the Gambia Mr. Barry L. Wells on Wednesday 4th November presided over the signing ceremony for projects worth D1 million for thirteen beneficiary groups from all the seven regions in the country.

The one million dalasis project is from the US Ambassador's special self help programme (SSHP). The life changing programme has continued to impact positively on many Gambian Communities by enhancing their income, production capabilities, job creation and a variety of other opportunities for a sustainable livelihood in the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the US Ambassador Barry L. Wells said the Special Self Help Fund is only one of the links between individual communities and the US Embassy and also said the signing of the agreement is the first step in their partnership and the impact will result in an improvement in the quality of life in the beneficiaries communities.

He noted that the self help programme is different from most development programmes in that, in that the communities that must make a real contribution, through labour, material or money as they benefit from it.

He said the contribution ensures that the community stays involved at all levels and empowers them to take responsibility for the future of their development. "It is through such cooperation and community involvement that true development can succeed" he said.

He informed beneficiaries that they are lucky to be among selected applicants that were nearly 100 around the country; therefore he challenged them to be committed to their projects and also see them through one hundred percent.

He informed the gathering that this year, the Embassy provided over 1 million dalasis ($40,000) to support thirteen community initiated projects covering all the seven regions in the country. He revealed that the projects include wells to provide water for the communities, provision of bee hives for a beekeeping association, provisions of milling machines for village women groups and support for IT training for teachers to help improve computer education in Gambian Schools.

Other projects he further revealed are for the renovation of some classrooms in two schools in the provinces and support to the Gambia National Library with new shelves and IT software equipment. All this, he said, are important project for communities. He once again challenges the beneficiaries to be committed on the projects in their communities and looked forward to the success of these projects.

The beneficiaries of the projects are, Santa Bubu Lower Basic School in Central River Region, Ndikiri Kunda Village (Beekeeping Association in CRR), Kafuta Lower Basic School in WR, Subura Village in WR for water source for Allatentu (HIV/AIDS) support group farm, Niani Group Juboo in CRR for provision of milling machine for the women of Gantabur, Gambia National Library, Kerr Ardo VDC in North Bank for provision of pit latrines for the villages, Kerewan Lower Basic School in North Bank Region, Misira VDC in LRR, Barrow Kunda Beakayang Kaffo in URR, Freeman Camp International (IT) and Kantaur Fula Kunda VDC in CRR for Refurbishment of a seed store.