Good news from the American people

Chief Executive Officer of the U.S.-funded Millennium Challenge Account – Tanzania, Mr. Bernard Mchomvu, and representatives from Aarsleef/BAM signed a contract worth more than US $97.1 million for the upgrading of the km 96.5 Laela – Sumbawanga road on April 29, 2010 in Dar es Salaam.

This road project is one of six different road segments that will be rehabilitated and upgraded under the more than $698.1 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact funded by the American people.

U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Alfonso E. Lenhardt (L) and Hon. Haroun Ali Suleiman, Zanzibar's Minister of Education and vocational training (R) cutting the ribbon to celebrate the renovation of the historic Kizimkazi mosque in Zanzibar early this week.

The Kizimkazi Mosque, is one of the oldest continuously used Islamic places of worship in Africa. However it was in danger of severe damage due to deterioration.

According to Hamad H. Omar, Director of Zanzibar's Department of Archives, Museums and Antiquities Division in Zanzibar, the Antiquities Department requested a grant of $21,500 through the U.S. Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation to restore the historic 12th century mosque in partnership with the American people, so that the valuable structure might last for hundreds more years. (Photos courtesy of the American Embassy.)