Twelve self-help fund and six democracy and human rights fund recipients signed grants agreement with the United States (U.S) Embassy in Maseru on Tuesday.

The Embassy has granted recipients US$90,000 estimated at M630.000 for the implementation of various projects this year.

The Ambassador -Designate of the United States of America to Lesotho, Mr. Robert Nolan commended grantees for their efforts that contribute to ensure that communities within their respective areas are improved.

He encouraged them to work hard and he also promised to visit their projects during his time of office.

Speaking on behalf of the grantees, Mrs. Keiso Matashane-Marite from Women and Law in Southern Africa expressed appreciation to the embassy for providing grants and assured that the money will be used accordingly.

She said the money will be used to promote human rights and democracy in the country as well as to enable the nation to address some of the challenges it faces.

The money will be used for construction of latrines, classrooms, library, poultry shed and HIV/AIDS support groups income generation projects in various primary and high schools.

Other activities include educating women with disabilities on their human rights, dissemination of the Legal Capacity of Married Persons Act of 2006 and fighting against gender based violence.

Source: LENA 09/10/2007