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July 9-10 2012, Karen Freeman, USAID Deputy Director during her tour of Gilgit-Baltistan, met with the communities who benefitted through the U.S. government’s Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund Program. This program supports civil society organizations by providing grants for social and economic development at the grass root level; through this program USAID has invested approximately USD 997,402 in the development of the GB region within a span of two years.
During her visit projects in GB highlighted including:
Grantee: Gupis rural support program (GRSP)
USAID Funding: $141,659 under US Ambassador’s Fund
Sector: Economic Growth
Objective: Construction of a 7km new water irrigation channel (from Gupis Nallah to Doshote) in Tehsil Gupis, uplifting living standards of almost 500 households, bringing approx. 6000 kanal barren land under cultivation to minimize poverty, increase agriculture productivity and livestock development in the region.
Grantee: Gulmit educational Social Welfare society
USAID Funding: $106,250 under US Ambassador’s Fund
Sector: Education
Objective: Construction of a girls hostel in village Gulmit, a disaster hit area of Hunza for female students from disadvantaged families and far flung areas who wish to continue higher education accommodating at least 40 female students every year.
Grantee:Hashoo Foundation
USAID Funding: $250,010 under Small Grants program
Objective: Uplifting livelihood of flood affected women bee keepers in GB and KP by providing training, production kits, honey bee boxes and linking them to profitable markets benefitting 250 existing and 200 new female bee keepers. These beekeepers are now spending 10% of their earnings on better nutrition for their families, 30% on health care expenses and 60% on the education of their children.
Grantee:Muncipal library gilgit
USAID Funding: $30,000 under US Ambassador’s Fund
Sector: Education Objective: Improvement of membership services and facilities at Municipal library Gilgit through Provisioning of modern equipment (computers, scanners, fax machine), card catalogue system, picture gallery, generator to avoid power outages and advance internet access to keep the library updated and functional throughout the year. Grantee: Foresight institute for education and leadership development (FIELD) USAID Funding: $114,982 under US Ambassador’s Fund Sector: Education Objective: Rehabilitation of 11 government schools, affected by the floods of 2010 in district Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan benefitting more than 2000 individuals by renovation of school buildings, libraries, teacher trainings and provisioning of new furniture. Through USAID’s Small Grants and Ambassador’s Fund Program we work together to identify projects that will not only directly benefit the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, but will also be developed, led and implanted by the communities. We see these funds as a way to recognize and empower local heroes. We are proud to stand with you as you lead the way to a brighter future for Pakistan. “Said Karen Freeman, Deputy Director USAID During her visit, beneficiaries of GB region expressed the impact of the changes upon their lives and communities, sharing the benefits brought upon them with support from the American people. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
