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U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Kelly watches the production of canned food and marmalades of “ CAXI Asociación para el Desarrollo Integral” with Natalia Manini and Renato Araya from the institution
Embassy Event
CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES THOMAS KELLY HIGHLIGHTS US$ 1.8 MM INVESTMENT BY THE INTER-AMERICAN FOUNDATION (IAF) IN ARGENTINA
June 26, 2009
Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Kelly hosted a reception on June 26 in honor of the Inter-American Foundation delegation visiting Argentina and Uruguay last week to meet with representatives and beneficiaries of five projects funded by the IAF.
“I congratulate IAF grantees for their outstanding and creative projects that will benefit vast sectors of the Argentine society.” – said Chargé d’Affaires Thomas Kelly during a reception in honor of the IAF Board.
Mr. Kelly celebrated IAF’s investment in Argentina and underscored the importance of the projects presented by 19 institutions during a ceremony at the diplomatic residence last Friday.
The Inter-American Foundation currently has 13 active grants in Argentina worth US$ 1.8 million and three active grants in Uruguay worth US$ 800.000. Since its founding, the IAF has invested in 233 projects in Argentina worth more than US$ 30,731,000.
IAF delegation led by Ambassador Larry L. Palmer included the Board Chair John P. Salazar, the Vice Chair Ambassador Thomas J. Dodd and Board members Kay Kelley Arnold and Jack C. Vaughn.
The Inter-American Foundation, created by Congress in 1969 is an independent agency of the United States government which funds foreign assistance programs. The IAF works to promote equitable, responsible and participatory self-help development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean in cooperation with private regional and international organizations. The guiding principles of the Inter-American Foundation are to support people, organizations, and processes; channel funds directly to the non-governmental sector to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and self-reliance; strengthen democratic principles; empower poor people to solve their own problems, treating them as partners with respect and dignity.
During the reception, 19 institutions including Fundación Proteger, Fundación ProVivienda, Fundación PH 15, Circo Social del Sur, CIPPEC and CAXI Asociación para el Desarrollo Integral presented different projects.
The Board visited the following three projects:
1 ) Fundación Pro-Vivienda Social (FPVS)
This project has received funds for US$ 204,692 over three years.
FPVS is a nongovernmental organization founded to improve housing conditions in Greater Buenos Aires. The Foundation is working with neighborhood organizations to connect 1,500 families from a 220-block area of Moreno, José C. Paz and Pilar to a natural gas network and provide access to natural gas and other services for another 250 block-area which does not yet have natural gas infrastructure. More than 8,000 individuals will benefit from the ongoing activities related to this project.
2) Fundación PH 15 para las Artes (PH15)
PH 15 has received funds for US$ 175,600 over the last three and a half years.
PH 15 uses photography to improve the employment prospects and social integration of 400 young people from underprivileged places in Buenos Aires by strengthening skills and providing work experience. Fifteen students will use their skills to launch micro-enterprises using their knowledge of photography and computer skills acquired through this program funded by IAF in Ciudad Oculta in Greater Buenos Aires. The project has indirectly benefited another 1,500 residents from other participating communities.
3) Circo Social del Sur (CSS)
CSS has received US$ 144,095 over the past two years.
CSS teaches circus arts to more than 250 marginalized young people in poor neighborhoods in Buenos Aires. The project indirectly impacts another 1,000 local residents.
During this trip, the members of the Board of the Inter-American Foundation visited Villa 24 in Barracas and attended one of the circus acrobat classes given by CSS to a group of youngsters of the shantytown. Many of this youngsters who do not attend school and have no possibilities of access to a job, had the chance to learn this interesting trade that opens up a non-traditional employment opportunity as they receive help and support.
Following the reception, Chargé d’Affaires Kelly congratulated the institutions for their varied and interesting initiatives and the Inter-American Foundation for their support and trust in the projects that will benefit vast sectors of Argentine society.
