The Lambi Fund of Haiti

Spring 2006 Newsletter — Contents

Why I Give

By Dave Nealy
I give to the Lambi Fund because I have seen firsthand the desperate needs in Haiti and the positive, effective consequences of their projects. They target the independent, organized farmers and women's groups, which is a key to their success. In my 11 trips to Haiti as volunteer, election observer, interpreter and my many conversations with all levels of Haitian society, I am convinced that most of the government aid and much of the NGO and missionary funds in Haiti are little more than a bandaid for their problems. A combination of education and organization of the peasants, project successes that breed confidence, and above all, letting them decide on their own priority needs for projects has far-reaching effects. That seems to be the Lambi approach.

I have seen the positive results on a tour of projects in 2003. The people were not only grateful for the help, they were energized to continue the work and take on more projects. In spite of all the barriers to progress in Haiti, Lambi Fund workers there have been able to make a real, lasting difference in many rural communities. Therein lies the hope of the future for this country, I believe.

Member Profile: Claudee

I am from the ODTPG organization, located in the Gilgo community in southern Haiti. We manage a community-run ox plowing service to help farmers cultivate their land. I am the Treasurer of the organization and have attended several of the Lambi Fund training sessions to learn about managing the project.

I am also a business woman, selling goods at the local market. My husband is a carpenter and we have two daughters and one son. My husband lives in Port au Prince where there is more work, while I raise the children here in Gilgo. Unfortunately, this is an arrangement that many Haitian families must endure because of the bad economic conditions.

I attended the women's conference conducted by Lambi Fund and learned a lot about the environment, ways to make water safe for drinking and why reforestation is important. The conference also taught me about equal rights for women and men and the importance of women in society. We would like to have training every three months. We would like a tree planting campaign as well as a loan for the women to plant more trees.

Help Claudee and her friends make that dream a reality. Donate now for Lambi Fund reforestation programs.