Ambassador's Self Help Fund
The Ambassador’s Self Help Fund was established in Malawi in 1966, as a way to address urgent development needs at the community level. In the past nine years (2000 – 2008) the U. S. Government has funded 117 self help development projects with a total funding of US$804,100.
The overall purpose of the Fund in Malawi is to encourage communities to improve their economic, health and social welfare conditions through Self-Help Projects they implement themselves. Eligible types of self-help projects include water, health, environment, construction, equipment, and income-generating activities. Projects selected for funding seek to improve basic economic or social conditions at the village level; support high-impact activities that can be implemented quickly and benefit a large number of people; involve a significant local contribution in kind (labor or material); are within the ability of the local community to operate and maintain, and respond to the common needs, initiatives and aspirations of the local community.
Year Number of Projects Cost (U.S. $)
2000 19 116,000
2001 11 97,500
2002 11 90,800
2003 12 100, 300
2004 9 75, 500
2005 15 92, 000
2006 20 92, 000
2007 13 90, 000
2008 7 50, 000
Total 117 804, 100
Exchange rate = MK142 = U.S. $