Programs and Events

Ambassador Self-Help Program

SELECTION CRITERIA

The most important criterion is the one that gave the program its name "self-help." Self-Help activities should include participation and contributions from community members, such as: 

• Volunteer time and labor,
• Medical equipment for health clinics
• Donated land
• Sand, gravel, water

Self-Help activities are to be high-impact, benefiting the greatest number of people possible with the activity.

Projects will be completed with only a one-time U.S. contribution.

Self-Help activities should help improve basic economic or social conditions at the local community or village level; the SSH Program will not finance those that have only short-lived value.

Self-Help activities must be self-reliant and are to be within the general means of the local community to implement.

Self-Help projects must also be viable and sustainable in terms of finance, necessary personnel support and necessary expertise and services.  Examples include provision of teachers for schoolrooms, expert evaluation of a bridge, and medical staff for health clinic.