Springfield, Missouri, USA — For the second year, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is sponsoring SIFE Africa in conjunction with the SIFE Africa Bridge Program.  The SIFE Africa Bridge Program seeks to develop entrepreneurship and business skills in SIFE students who mentor unemployed and disadvantaged schoolchildren. 

The SIFE students help the kids to improve their self-confidence and be more optimistic about life.  The program will be executed in three phases:  SIFE team training workshops, free enterprise project implementation and results reporting at the SIFE National Competitions.  The SIFE Africa Bridge Program will run concurrently in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Senegal. 

USAID is the primary agency of the United States that assists countries recovering from disaster, fighting poverty and reforming to democratic governments.  By supporting efforts that improve economic growth, agriculture, health and democracy, USAID can promote and achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives.