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DAY 5: STRONG ROOTS
"We exist to support the popular, democratic movement in Haiti." This is the explanation which I heard repeatedly from the staff of the Lambi Fund.
Yet, it is not easy to envision a democratic future in a country like Haiti, until you meet the Lambi Fund and see the realities it has helped create in the communities where the Lambi Fund works. What stood out most in my mind were the voices of the peasants saying that no matter how terrible the unrest in Haiti, they were determined to stand firm when chaos hit, continuing to succeed and continuing to build a democratic foundation for their communities.
I realized that Haiti may be one of the most difficult places on earth, but what happens there determines the character of the free world and our commitment to build democracy and plant it in even the most difficult of soils.
Before I left, Josette proudly told me, "When we fund a project and see it come to life, we don't just walk away. Even after a project is complete, we have regional trainings where we provide our partners with additional information about how they can organize and improve their communities. In fact, one group, the Peasants Organization of Saut Maturin, used their lessons in organizing to fight for electricity. We had funded a pig-raising project with them, and spent over a year working with their community to build a strong, democratic organization to manage the project. Two years later, without consulting the local population, the government decided to construct a dam on the river next to their village with no intention of providing electricity to the people of Saut Maturin. They lobbied as one strong voice and successfully convinced the government to bring electricity to their village. Empowered by their success, they are now lobbying for a road to their village."
As we prepared to return to the United States, I knew that sharing the story of the Lambi Fund and all of its partners would be critical to the future of Haiti. The Lambi Fund of Haiti isn't just successful because of its projects or its philosophy. It is successful because it is reflective of the dignity, determination, and needs defended by Haitians and for Haitians. What is being cultivated is truly organic to the culture of Haiti. While the peasant farmers may not realize that they are the new revolutionaries building a new Haiti, we could see it very clearly. And with the funds from supporters of democracy in the United States, the Lambi Fund can continue planting its seeds.
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