# ![](media/image1.png){width="1.3229166666666667in" height="1.2604166666666667in"} 

# **Embassy of the United States of America**

##### Self Help Office, P. O. Box 9536, Pretoria 0001

Phone: (012) 431 4240 Fax: (012) 431 4086

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# The American Embassy Self-Help Program

The US Ambassador's Self Help Program assists small grassroots,
community-run projects in the local communities of South Africa. The
goal of the Self-Help Program is to improve the basic economic and
social conditions of the community or village. Each project must help
itself by giving money, labor or other services to the project. The
greater the involvement and contribution from the local community, the
more likely the project grant will gain approval.

Examples of the projects funded by the Self-Help Program include the
building of care centers for disabled and orphaned children, children\'s
day care centers, and preschools. Other projects that have been funded
in the past include sewing, brick making, and other manufacturing and
farming cooperatives. We have also contributed to community water and
sanitation projects.

United States law forbids the expenditure of these funds for religious
purposes, or for projects that are normally the responsibility of the
local government such as primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.
We cannot contribute money to a building fund, nor can we pay for
vehicles, computers, copiers, salaries, or other recurring costs.
*Please read the guidelines carefully on the reverse side of this
sheet.*

Grants generally range between US \$5,000 and US \$10,000. After the US
money is used, the project must be able to keep going on its own or with
the help from the community. Please remember that we receive many
applications and have only a limited amount of funds available.

If your organization has a project that falls within the Self-Help
Program guidelines, use the enclosed application to apply for a Self-
Help grant and send it to the self help office nearest you.

+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Pretoria       | Johannesburg    | Cape Town      | Durban         |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| U.S. Embassy   | American        | American       | American       |
|                | Consulate       | Consulate      | Consulate      |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| P.O. Box 9536  | P.O. Box 1762   | Post Net Suite | Old Mutual     |
|                |                 | 50             | Center         |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| ######         | ######          | ###### Pr      | ####           |
| Pretoria 0001  |  Houghton 2041  | ivate Bag x26  | ## 303 West St |
|                |                 |                | reet Floor #31 |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| ####           | ####            | ##             | ##             |
|                |                 | ## Tokai 7966  | ## Durban 4001 |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
|                |                 |                |                |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| #### Tel: (    | #### Tel:       | #### Tel: (    | #### Tel:      |
| 012) 431-4240  | (011) 644-8132  | 021) 702-7387  | (031) 305-7600 |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+
| Fax: (012)     | Fax: (011)      | Fax: (021)     | Fax: (031)     |
| 431-4086       | 646-6914        | 702-7318       | 305-7650       |
+----------------+-----------------+----------------+----------------+

**TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING, PROJECTS MUST COMPLETE THIS APPLICATION
AND SUBMIT THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS.**

**[The American Embassy]{.underline}**

### 2008 Self -Help Project Guidelines

There is no ideal Self-Help project. However, successful projects share
similar features and are commensurate with the spirit, if not letter of
the following criteria.

Self Help activities [should:]{.underline}

-   Improve basic economic and social conditions at the local, community
    or village level.

-   Be community driven. Projects should be oriented to communities, not
    individuals.

-   Benefit a substantial number of people in the community.

-   Involve a contribution of labor, money or materials by members of
    the local community.

-   Be within the means of the local community to operate and maintain
    and sustain.

-   Lend themselves to quick implementation and impact, ideally
    utilizing the entire grant within the six-month agreement period.

**While it is not possible to list all restrictions, [Self- Help funds
may not be used for the following]{.underline}**:

-   Ongoing administrative or operating costs, such as salaries or rent.

-   Start up costs.

-   Purchasing vehicles, computers and other office equipment, such as
    fax machines or copying machines.

-   Religious, military or police activities.

-   Activities that are generally considered to be the responsibility of
    the local government.

-   Contributions to a large fund (such as a building fund).

-   Remodeling or renovating an existing facility that is in disrepair.

-   Art and cultural projects.

-   Sports related activities.

-   Projects that receive USAID funds or have already received a
    self-help grant.

-   Refugees.

-   Revolving loans or seed money.

-   Purchasing pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.

-   Funding private business.

-   NGO's

#### Embassy of the United States of America

**Self Help Office P.O. Box 9536 Pretoria 0001**

## Telephone: (012) 431-4240 Fax: (012) 431-4086

## APPLICATION FOR A SELF HELP GRANT Date Submitted: / /

**Contact Information:**

**Name of organization:**

**Mailing address:**

**Postal Code (very
important)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Physical location\***

**\*include a map or sketch from the nearest town**

**Traveling time from Pretoria: \_\_\_\_\_\_ hours. Telephone number
(very important): \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Name of person responsible for funds:**

**Description of your organization and project:**

**What has the community contributed to this project? *Please be
specific and give examples.***

**Community cash
contributions:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Other community contributions:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**List other contributors to this project and amounts already given or
promised: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Number of people active in the project:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Project starting date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Project completion
date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Project cost. *[Quotations]{.underline} from a vendor must be attached
supporting these figures.***

Materials and equipment R\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to purchase
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Labor and services R\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to purchase
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## Total cost of project R\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**Amount requested from the United States Self Help Grant:
R\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to purchase the
following:\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Has your organization ever received funding from the U.S. Government?
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**If yes, please explain
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Signature
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Printed
Name \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

***For your application to be considered [you must]{.underline} attach
the following documents:***

***A detailed history of your organization and project stating what has
been accomplished, 2. A copy of your constitution 3. A list of committee
members with their names and addresses, 4. A map showing the location of
your project from the nearest town, 5. Details of the project bank
account, 6. Copies of quotations to support estimated project cost 7.
Building plan if applicable 8. Builder quotation and builder details if
applicable, 9. If you request funds for a building, please send
documents showing proof of land ownership such as the title deed or
other documentation**. **Please note that we do not return applications.
Make a copy for your records.***

***PROJECT
NAME\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_POSTAL
CODE\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_***