Cablegate: Kenya: Fy 2005 Ambassador's Self-Help Fund

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 NAIROBI 005132

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/RA, AF/E, AF/EPS - FOR MARGARET DECQUIR
DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR AFR/DP/PAB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL KE
SUBJECT: KENYA: FY 2005 AMBASSADOR'S SELF-HELP FUND
ANNUAL REPORT

REF: NAIROBI 3331

1. Summary: The 16 FY-05 projects (with a total budget of
$92,000) supported most recently through Kenya's
Ambassador's Self-Help Fund have begun their funded
activities. A summary of Kenya's Self-Help program and
progress to date are contained herein. End summary.

OVERVIEW
--------

2. As outline in reftel, in FY 2005, Self-Help Kenya
received and obligated $92,000, awarding grants to sixteen
(16) projects. Coordinators received and reviewed over
1,000 applications and proposals requesting assistance
during this funding cycle. From them, Coordinators
selected ninety (90) groups and projects for site visits.
The inter-agency Self-Help Advisory Committee reviewed the
twenty-one (21) strongest groups and projects and
recommended sixteen (16) for the Ambassador's review and
final approval.

3. A statistical analysis of those projects follows:

Geographic Distribution:
Central Province - 4 (25%): 1 Kiambu District
1 Kirinyaga District
1 Nyeri District
1 Thika District

Coast Province - 1 (6%): 1 Taita-Taveta District

Eastern Province - 4 (25%): 2 Machakos District
1 Makueni District
1 Meru Central District

Nyanza Province - 3 (19%): 1 Kisii District
1 Migori District
1 Siaya District

Rift Valley Province - 1 (6%) 1 Kajiado District

Western - 3 (19%): 1 Bungoma District
1 Kakamega District
1 Teso District

Two provinces, Nairobi and North Eastern, were not
represented within the FY 2005 grantees. For logistic and
security reasons, North Eastern is a difficult area to do
the necessary project assessments and follow-up, but we
still hope to receive more quality proposals from this area
in the future.

Project Types: Health 2
Income Generating 5*
Library/Voc. Training 1
Vocational Training 4*
Water 5
*Nyeri Deaf Self-Help Group has elements of both Income
Generation and Vocational Training.

Grant Range: Smallest - $ 3,000
Largest - $10,000
Mean - $ 5,750
Median - $ 5,500

FINANCIAL PROCEDURES AND UNLIQUIDATED BALANCES
--------------------------------------------- -

4. Financial procedures followed by Self-Help/Kenya
require grantees to submit pro-forma invoices for approved
expenditures; SSH/KE then requests checks from USAID/Kenya.
When checks become available grantee(s) and vendor(s) are
notified to collect/deliver the funded goods. Grantees
must submit signed delivery notes, final invoices, and
witnessed delivery documents to SSH/KE before checks are
released to vendors, at which point those funds are
liquidated. To date, we have submitted pro-forma funding
requests totaling approximately $49,788.64 (almost half of
our FY-05 allocation), of which $10,711.30 has been
liquidated.

SPECIAL INITIATIVE IN 2005
--------------------------

5. In this past year Self-Help/Kenya created a set of
databases for the tracking, storage, and control of
information, including requests for information and
application forms, final applicants supplemental
information, and status updates of funded projects. These
comprehensive, in-house, Access databases fuel all project
reporting from Embassy Nairobi's SSH office and are the
data link to nearly all correspondence and status updates
to applicants. This office now writes its Individual
Activity Agreements (IAAs) by merging select data into its
grant agreement template. With the foundation supplied by
the databases, the Self-Help Office's work products are
easier to produce and have taken on a more professional
appearance.
6. SSH/Kenya has also created and maintains a "Watch List"
database used by 16 other donor organizations that comprise
the Small Projects Funds' Donor Roundtable. This database
permits the Roundtable members to share information
concerning fraudulent and duplicated project requests,
questionable managers, and crooked vendors.

KENYA'S FY 2005 AMBASSADOR'S SELF-HELP FUND PROJECTS
--------------------------------------------- -------

7. Following is the outline and status of FY 2005 Self-
Help Fund Projects:

8. Group/Project Funded: Apatit Sub-Location Community
Based Organization
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-001
Province: Western District: Teso

Description of Activity: to protect 16 fresh water springs
and provide access to clean, safe water to the majority of
residents within this sub-location.

Number of Beneficiaries: 625 households or 5,000 residents
of Apatit Sub-Location.

United Sates Contribution: $6,000.00
These funds will purchase construction materials and
services, such as cement, polythene sheeting, timber, GI
pipes, wire mesh, fencing wire, nails and skilled labor.

Community Contribution: sand, ballast, hardcore, fencing
posts, chlorine and alum, unskilled labor, appropriate
landscaping and maintenance for catchment protection, and
transportation of goods from vendor to the project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: The group has been working with the
District Water Officer to confirm Bills of Quantity, and
labor requirements. The group has begun site preparation
at some of the springs.

9. Group/Project Funded: Bogeta Community Welfare
Association
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-002
Province: Eastern District: Meru Central

Description of Activity: to outfit the locale's rural
health center with medical equipment and other items to
better serve its patients.

Number of Beneficiaries: 2,000 households or 16,000 people
within the area.

United Sates Contribution: $8,000.00
The grant will purchase medical equipment, such as
stethoscopes, blood pressure machines, clinical
thermometers, pedal dust bins, infant scales, adult scales
with height guage, wheel chair, complete oxygen delivery
system, dressing scissors, stitch removers, needle holders,
sterilizing drums, autoclave, sterilizer, dressing sets,
instrument trays, suture set, microscope, refrigerator,
centrifuge, test tubes and racks, glucometer, incubator,
and other medical equipment as approved by the Ambassador's
Self-Help Fund Office. Some office equipment may also be
purchased with grant funding, such as desks, tables,
chairs, filing cabinets, cupboards and other office
furniture as approved by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund
Office.

Community Contribution: construction of the health center
facility; staff salaries, and transportation of goods from
vendor to the project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: The group has priced equipment and
submitted pro-forma invoices to the Ministry of
Health/District Office for approval before submitting them
to the Self-Help Fund office. The purpose of doing so is
for the professionals in the District Health Office to
verify that the equipment is suitable to the mandate and
expertise of this community health center and will be
useful within its operations.
10. Group/Project Funded: CADA Self Help Group (Community
Accelerated Development Agency)
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-003
Province: Central District: Thika

Description of Activity: to expand a small-scale bakery as
an income-generating opportunity for the group, which is
teaching nutrition to HIV/AIDS infected and affected
people.

Number of Beneficiaries: 20 group members and the broader
community from lessons on nutrition and access to
inexpensive baked products.

United Sates Contribution: $3,500.00
These funds are intended for the purchase of equipment for
bakery operations, such as charcoal-fired ovens, pans,
measuring and mixing units, gumboots, dust coats, scales,
bread crates/baskets, display shelves, and items for use in
nutrition demonstrations such as flasks, mugs, kerosine
stoves, and up to 3 bicycles.

Community Contribution: tables and stools and/or benches,
transportation of goods from vendor(s) to the project site,
members' labor to manage bakery operations and perform
nutrition demonstrations and site visits, security for
site, and utilities such as electricity and water.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: The Chairman of CADA has informed us that
the group is having some internal management problems and
my not, at this time, be ready to expand its operation.
The Self-Help Office is coordinating with the District
Social Development Officer to determine the true nature of
the situation and if there can be an effective solution to
get the project back on track within the grant's timeframe.
In the meantime, we are holding the group's pro-forma
invoice and will not request a check until we are satisfied
that the project remains viable.

11. Group/Project Funded: Help Widows and Orphans Self-
Help Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-004
Province: Nyanza District: Migori

Description of Activity: to enhance a community library
that aims to provide an alternative education source for
local business people, individuals enhancing their job
knowledge, and school drop-outs.

Number of Beneficiaries: 1,275 households or 10,200 (the
population of Migori Town).

United Sates Contribution: $6,000.00
This grant may be used to purchase both fiction and non-
fiction books, including textbooks on business, law,
computer, trade, and health. Some office furniture, as
necessary for the outfitting of a basic library, may also
be purchased with grant funding, such as tables, chairs,
shelves and other items as approved. Some grant funds may
also be used for purchase of construction materials as
needed for library modification, with prior consultation
and approval by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund.

Community Contribution: table, chairs, typewriter,
printer, librarian's salaries, production of some
information/education materials; and transportation of
goods from vendor to the project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: The Self-Help Office has requested a local
currency check (for approximately $1,452) for modifications
of the facility and construction of shelves and library
tables. We will hold the other invoices for additional
furniture and books until the group receives and uses the
construction materials. When they are closer to being able
to shelve the books, we will process that order. This
project manager is very attentive and checks in with the
Self-Help Fund Office frequently.

12. Group/Project Funded: Homelink Nyaura Self-Help Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-005
Province: Nyanza District: Kisii

Description of Activity: to protect 10 fresh water springs
and provide sources of clean, safe water to area residents.

Number of Beneficiaries: 1,500 households or approximately
12,000 people.
United Sates Contribution: $5,500.00
The grant will purchase construction materials and
services, such as cement, polythene sheeting, timber,
galvanized iron pipes, wire mesh, fencing wire, nails and
skilled labor.
Community Contribution: sand, ballast, hardcore, fence
posts, chlorine and alum, unskilled labor, appropriate
landscaping and maintenance for catchment protection, and
transportation of goods from vendor to the project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: This group has been working with its
District Water Officer in order to determine the correct
amounts of materials. We have some of their pro-forma
invoices and are expecting others to arrive shortly. We
await more information before requesting checks for this
project.

13. Group/Project Funded: Ilemai Community Water Project
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-006
Province: Rift Valley District: Kajiado

Description of Activity: to expand a water system for a
Maasai community that will add a 50-cubic-meter storage
tank, community tap, two livestock troughs and piping to a
local market and dispensary.

Number of Beneficiaries: 625 households (or approximately
5,000 people) and approximately 2,400 cattle and goats.

United Sates Contribution: $7,000.00
The grant may be used to purchase materials for
construction of a 50-cubic-meter water tank, community tap
and livestock troughs, such as sand, ballast, cement, wire
mesh, reinforcing bars, binding wire, chicken wire,
Galvanized pipes and fittings. Remaining funds, if any, may
be used toward the purchase of pipes to go to from the tank
to dispensary and local market.

Community Contribution: ballast, hardcore, skilled and
unskilled labor, and transportation of goods from vendor to
project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: With the assistance of the Divisional
Water Officer, this group has finalized its Bill of
Quantities and submitted initial pro-forma invoices. Both
the Project Manager and Water Officer are in communication
with the Self-Help Office.

14. Group/Project Funded: Kamuga-Kahuruko Community
Services
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-007
Province: Central District: Kiambu

Description of Activity: to supply tailoring equipment to
expand and enhance a program teaching sewing skills to
girls who have dropped out of school, most of whom are
orphans.

Number of Beneficiaries: 30-40 students per year;
community and families of the students due to income
potential.

United Sates Contribution: $5,000.00
Grant funds will purchase sewing equipment such as sewing
and embroidery machines, including overlock machines.
Remaining funds may be used for miscellaneous tailoring
items such as scissors, tape measures, iron.

Community Contribution: transportation of goods from
vendor(s) to the project site, rent and utilities for
workshop, salaries for two instructors, training manager,
watchman and bookkeeper, and raw materials used in
training, such as cloth, thread and batting.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: As we submit this cable, the group has
just taken possession of the equipment and the Ambassador
has dedicated the project.

15. Group/Project Funded: Kianjagi Water Project
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-008
Province: Central District: Kirinyaga

Description of Activity: to construct a water storage tank
and extend a pipeline and community taps to give this rural
community access to clean, safe water.

Number of Beneficiaries: 250 households or approximately
2,000 people as well as schools, a church, cattle dip, and
police post.

United Sates Contribution: $10,000.00
The grant will be used for the purchase of construction
materials for a 50-cubic-meter tank, such as cement,
polythene sheeting, reinforcing bars, timber, wire mesh,
galvanized pipes, nails, paint, and skilled labor.
Remaining grant funds are to be used for the purchase of
pipes and fittings for pipelines.

Community Contribution: locally available construction
materials for the tank, such as sand, ballast, hardcore and
water, unskilled labor in tank site preparation and the
laying of pipes, and transportation of goods from vendor(s)
to project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: This project is in process, receiving
technical assistance from the District Water Office. The
first tranche of funds has been requested.

16. Group/Project Funded: Kwale Community Health Centre
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-009
Province: Eastern District: Makueni

Description of Activity: to add equipment to the locale's
community health center in order for it to expand and
enhance services to local patients.

Number of Beneficiaries: 1,000 households or approximately
8,000 people.

United Sates Contribution: $5,500.00
The grant is intended for the purchase of medical equipment
and items such as hospital beds, mattresses, drug trolley,
screen with curtains, stainless steel pedal bins, adult
scales, infant scales, examination couch, delivery couch,
diagnostic set, I.V. stands, and other items as approved by
the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund Office.

Community Contribution: construction of the health center,
staff salaries for lab technician and watchman, procurement
of drugs and laboratory reagents, and transportation of
goods from vendor to project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: Kwale Community Health Centre has
delivered pro-forma invoices valued at approximately
$5,358. The Self-Help Office has processed requests for
Advances; these checks are not yet issued.

17. Group/Project Funded: Majengo Self Help Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-010
Province: Eastern District: Machakos

Description of Activity: to provide equipment that will
expand the group's bar soap-making operation as an income-
generating activity, with profits supporting orphans in the
area.

Number of Beneficiaries: 30 members and the 50 orphans
currently supported by the group.

United Sates Contribution: $3,000.00
The grant will purchase a bar soap extruder complete with 3-
phase motor, heat gun/sealer, and transportation of goods
from vendor to project site. Any remaining funds may be
used, with approval by the Ambassador's Self-Help Fund
Office, for non-chemical materials or items used toward
production or packaging.

Community Contribution: consultancy fees and transport
costs for extruder manufacturers to travel from Nairobi to
teach the members how to use it; hiring a hall for the
training session, rent for site in which to house and
operate extruder, installation and payment for electricity
at site, security, labor, and raw materials used in soap-
making.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: This group promptly obtained pro-forma
invoices and their checks have been requested, valued at
approximately $2,780. Remaining funds will be put toward
promotional or processing materials. This project manager
has taken to heart our advice to stay in touch and either
phones, or sends a short report regularly.

18. Group/Project Funded: Mbiuni Health Center Self Help
Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-011
Province: Eastern District: Machakos
Description of Activity: to construct a large water
storage tank (up to 150-cubic-meters) on a local health
center compound so that clean, water is always available
for clinic needs.

Number of Beneficiaries: 30,000 community members who are
clients of the health center.

United Sates Contribution: $5,000.00
Grant funds may be used for the purchase of construction
materials, such as building stones or bricks, cement,
reinforcing bars, timber, binding wire, barbed wire, wire
mesh, pipes and fittings, nails, paint, and skilled labor.

Community Contribution: locally available construction
materials for tank, such as sand, ballast, hardcore, water,
murram and items for rain catchment from roof(s), such as
box gutters, down pipes, gutter brackets and elbows,
unskilled labor, and transportation of goods from vendor(s)
to project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: From signing the grant agreement, this
group proceeded to develop and update its Bills of
Quantities. The group's pro-forma invoices have arrived in
the SSH Office and will be processed shortly.

19. Group/Project Funded: Mwanjila Youth Polytechnic
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-012
Province: Coast District: Taita

Description of Activity: to provide assorted tools and
equipment for vocational training in motor vehicle
mechanics in order to improve course instruction and
provide the institution with the capacity to increase
enrollment.

Number of Beneficiaries: 60 motor vehicle mechanics
students per year.

United Sates Contribution: $4,500.00
Grant funds will purchase mechanics' equipment such as
drill machine, air compressor, angular grinder, lathe
machine, blower, allen keys, tee handle, long and short
extensions, wrenches, gauges, jacks, torque wrench, tool
kit boxes, valve squeezer, and two-leg pullers.

Community Contribution: salary for an additional staff
person, construction of a new improved workshop for Motor
Vehicle Mechanics, training materials, and transportation
of goods from vendor to project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: This school has begun construction on the
new Motor Vehicle Mechanics Workshop, although progress is
now slowed during the current "short" rainy season. The
group has submitted pro-forma invoices committing the
majority of its grant funds.

20. Group/Project Funded: Nyeri Deaf Self Help Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-013
Province: Central District: Nyeri

Description of Activity: to upgrade an exisiting program
that offers deaf members of the community access to sewing,
knitting, and carpentry tools and training to enhance their
income opportunities and impart job skills to others.

Number of Beneficiaries: currently 40 deaf men and women
and untold future students.

United Sates Contribution: $5,000.00
This grant may be used to purchase sewing/tailoring
equipment including two knitting machines, an embroidery
machine and a sewing machine. Funds may also be used to
buy carpentry equipment, such as a lathe and multi-purpose
machine, and other carpentry tools.

Community Contribution: transportation of goods from
vendor(s) to project site, rent for site, members' labor in
teaching students skills in sewing, knitting and carpentry,
members' labor for the production of saleable items and raw
materials including yarn, cloth, ribbons, thread, timber,
nails, glue, paint, and upholstery materials.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: Nyeri Deaf Self-Help Group has submitted
invoices valued at approximately $4,675 and checks will be
disbursed as soon as they are processed. Inasmuch as the
group already has a few pieces of equipment (some of it
borrowed) it continues its work.
21. Group/Project Funded: Nyiboro Ukwala Women Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-014
Province: Nyanza District: Siaya

Description of Activity: to improve and expand the group's
localized, small-scale grain storage facilities to enhance
income with profits going to support orphaned children in
the group's care.

Number of Beneficiaries: 280 villagers (35 members & their
families) as well as the broader community.

United Sates Contribution: $4,500.00
These Self-Help Funds may be used to purchase a portable
storage silo, tarpaulins, weight scale, up to 10
wheelbarrows, spades and bicycles, up to 5 pairs of
gumboots and gloves, dust coats.

Community Contribution: transportation of silo and other
goods from vendor(s) to project site, site for silo on
member's land, purchase of grain and transportation of
grain from buying to selling point, members' labor and
management at facility, 5 wheelbarrows and 4 bicycles
previously purchased by group. In the future, the group
plans to relocate the portable silo onto a site in town
which has yet to be purchased. Nyiboro Ukwala Women Group
has saved KSh 45,000/ toward the KSh 75,000/ purchase price
of the land.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: The group has submitted a pro-forma
invoice, but the Self-Help Office is holding it until some
points are clarified with the group. When the questions
have been satisfactorily answered, we will process the
request for a check. The group will expect to buy grain in
December and January, from the "short" rainy season
harvest.

22. Group/Project Funded: Sivillie Youth Welfare
Association
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05-015
Province: Western District: Kakamega

Description of Activity: to supply equipment to enable
this sewing/tailoring training program for widows and
orphans to add a second year of practicum experience,
improving technical and business skills for future self-
employment.

Number of Beneficiaries: 20 widows and orphans per year
and the family members of trainees.

United Sates Contribution: $5,500.00
Grant funds may be used for the purchase of
sewing/tailoring equipment, such as sewing and knitting
machines, and other miscellaneous items such as scissors,
tape measures, iron.

Community Contribution: building rental, instructors'
salaries, teaching materials, sewing machines, maintenance
for all sewing machines and knitting machines, and
transportation of equipment from vendor(s) to project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: Members of the Executive Committee met
with the Self-Help Fund Coordinators a few weeks after the
grant was signed. The purpose was to develop a plan for
the training program and fine-tune expectations of its
direction after the new equipment is received. The group
recently took possession of its sewing machines and this
payment has been liquidated, completing the grant.

23. Group/Project Funded: Webuye Physically Disabled Self
Help Group
IAA No.: 698-9901.15-05016
Province: Western District: Bungoma

Description of Activity: to construct public toilet
facilities at Webuye Bus Park that will be owned and
operated by the group's physically disabled members to
provide new income.

Number of Beneficiaries: 85 physically handicapped people;
an untold number of bus passengers.

United Sates Contribution: $8,000.00
This grant may be used to purchase construction materials
such as bricks, hardcore, sand, ballast, cement, murram,
polythene sheeting, hoop iron, timber, iron sheets, nails,
steel re-bars, binding wire, water tanks, pipes, plumbing
fixtures and fittings, fence posts, fence wire, electrical
fittings, paint, foot slabs, and bathroom rails.

Community Contribution: land, preparation of blueprints,
unskilled and skilled labor, and the transportation of
goods from vendor to project site.

Date Obligated: August 17, 2005

Project Status: The group has submitted a pro-forma
invoice for the initial construction materials and
disbursement (approximately $5,505) will be made as soon as
it is processed.

REQUEST FOR 2006 SELF-HELP FUNDS
--------------------------------

24. Self-Help/Kenya considers proposals for project
activities within five areas: Water, Medical Equipment,
Vocational Training Equipment, Conservation of the
Environment, and Income-Generating Activities. This office
will send its request for FY 2006 funds in support of this
program by separate cable.

BELLAMY

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