VZCZCXRO6009
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHRN
DE RUEHMR #0368 1771327
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261327Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY MASERU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3092
INFO RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEHMR/AMEMBASSY MASERU 3464

UNCLAS MASERU 000368 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/EPS FOR CAROL TRIMBLE; AF/RSA FOR MARINDA HARPOLE; 
AF/S FOR LINDA MUNCY; GABORONE FOR WALTER HAMMOND 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PHUM KDEM LT
SUBJECT: MASERU APPEALS FOR ADDITIONAL SSH AND DHRF FUNDING 
 
 
¶1.  SUMMARY:  As AF/EPS and AF/RSA consider the best ways to 
distribute end of year Special Self Help (SSH) and Democracy and 
Human Rights (DHRF) funding, Embassy Maseru's Special Projects 
office respectfully requests that these offices consider U.S. 
Mission Maseru as a highly productive and engaged partner in 
maximizing the impact of these resources.  In the SSH realm, our 
mission has been flooded with viable projects -- $650,000 worth 
of projects competing for a $60,000 pot.  This year's level of 
competition among so many viable projects for SSH and DHRF 
funding proves that Embassy Maseru's primary contraint is 
funding, not good partners.  Our Embassy is growing, with our 
staff increasing by 12 new positions through the MCC and PEPFAR 
programs which are synchronized with our SSH and DHRF projects. 
We hope these programs can grow to keep pace with the overall 
efforts of our mission.  END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------------- 
Special Self Help Funding 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  As the Department determines allocations to the Special 
Self-Help Fund for FY2007, U.S. Embassy Maseru would like to 
reiterate the benefits of an increased allotment to Lesotho.  In 
FY2006, we received $60,000, down from $69,000 in FY2005.  We 
are currently flooded with viable SSH proposals.  We have 
received over 130 proposals for FY2007, averaging $5,000 per 
proposal.  The 17 proposals we were able to fund in FY2006 have 
all been extremely successful.  From the construction of 
classrooms at schools in remote districts to assistance to 
income-generating programs for HIV/AIDS support groups, our 2006 
SSH projects have put U.S. assistance on the map in Lesotho, 
especially at the grassroots level.  To address the fundamental 
needs here, we would hope to increase our allotment to $100,000 
for FY2007. 
 
--------------------------------- 
Demcracy and Human Rights Funding 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  As the Department also determines allocations to the 
Democracy and Human Rights Fund for FY2007, U.S. Embassy Maseru 
would like to reiterate the benefits of an increased allotment 
to Lesotho.  In FY2006, we received $30,000 and were able to 
fund five highly successful programs, from Voter Education in 
the run-up to the National Election this year to educating women 
on their rights in land ownership and inheritance, and 
empowering them against violence.  These programs provided 
excellent press and outreach throughout the country.  We are 
also innundated with viable DHRF proposals for 2007.  We hope to 
increase our allotment to $100,000 for FY2007. 
 
---------- 
Our Appeal 
---------- 
 
¶4.  COMMENT: Our Embassy is growing, with our staff increasing 
by at least 12 new positions through the MCC and PEPFAR 
programs, which are synchronized with our SSH and DHRF projects. 
 We hope that these programs can grow to keep pace with the 
overall efforts of our mission.  Embassy Maseru's Special 
Projects office would like to thank AF/EPS, AF/RSA, and USAID 
Gaborone for their consideration in this matter, and stands 
prepared to offer any additional information which would be 
helpful.  END COMMENT. 
 
MURPHY