Why I Give
Yanick and Patrick Bayard
We give to The Lambi Fund of Haiti because of our strong belief in Lambi Fund's ability to reach people directly and enable them to become self sufficient. Lambi Fund does not give handouts, instead they provide tools to get the job done. Over the years we have observed documented results of Lambi Fund's projects which have created improved economic conditions, reduced erosion and most importantly an increase in collaboration between grassroots organizations run by Haitians themselves. We are also impressed by Lambi Fund's efforts to reach out to women and empower them to support themselves with their own micro businesses, leading to more equality between men and women.
Haiti needs us to invest in its people to re-build their country from the ground up; this very fragile and young democracy cannot succeed if the peasant communities of Haiti are not an integral part of this movement towards a cleaner, stronger, better self-sustaining economy. Lambi Fund has shown its commitment and produced clear results. We will continue to support Lambi Fund projects. As Haitians, it is an investment in Haiti's future.
(Editors Note: As a youth, Patrick Bayard attended St Louis School in Haiti with Lambi Fund Board member Max Blanchet. Originally from Haiti, Yanick's parents Lionel and Liliane Fombrun are the ones that first told the Bayards about Lambi Fund. The Bayard, friends and family have since donated annually to the Lambi Fund in memory of the Fombruns.)
Dr. Jeff Masters
As the hurricane expert for the Internet weather web site wunderground.com, I am very familiar with Haiti's vulnerability to catastrophic flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms. I realize that the most important way for Haiti to reduce loss of life from these storms is to restore the natural forest cover that has almost entirely been lost. So, I give to the Lambi Fund, knowing that they are working hard on reforestation efforts. Someday, I hope to fly over the island and see it once more swathed in green, thanks in great part to the efforts of the Lambi Fund of Haiti.
Laurie Emrich
I grew up in Colorado, in a family with a vision of social justice and where community work (local and global) was valued. In my own life, I have tried to do just that through my work in international public health in the 80's and 90's, and more recently as a student of, and then reformer and activist within the world of U.S. and Washington DC. philanthropy.
I believe in community-based, social change philanthropy, and to me the Lambi Fund of Haiti is an excellent example of a respectful, effective fund that supports grassroots development organizations. Lambi Fund staff listen to the concerns and priorities, as voiced based organizations. This is how their work becomes truly about building a social change movement, not just provision of services.
I have been a donor since 1997 and for the last eight years have served on the board, visiting project sites on five separate occasions. It has been my honor to work with the staff and board of this model of alternative development for Haiti.
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.
