Global Oneness Project

ABOUT LAMBI FUND OF HAITI

The Lambi Fund`s mission is to assist the popular, democratic movement in Haiti. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society as a necessary foundation of democracy and development. The fund channels financial and other resources to community-based organizations that promote the social and economic empowerment of the Haitian people.
The Lambi Fund supports projects that embrace the following principles: non-violent, non-partisan, community-based, promoting the advancement of women, using education and training for empowerment, and promoting the overall democratic movement.
The Lambi Fund of Haiti was founded in 1994 by Haitians, Haitian-Americans, and North Americans. The Lambi Fund draws its name from the lambi [pronounced lahm-bee], which is the Haitian Creole word for conch shell. The conch shell, blown as a horn, has played a vital role in community organizing throughout Haiti's history.
During the slave rebellion against the French colonialists in 1791, the lambi's call alerted the slaves to impending danger and the need to assemble. Today, the echo of the lambi alerts villagers in distant hamlets that a community meeting is about to commence. The symbol of the lambi was chosen to represent the Haitian people's hope, strength, resistance, and struggle for self-determination.

MISSION

Founded jointly in 1994 by Haitians and Americans, the Lambi Fund of Haiti is a unique grassroots organization whose mission is to assist the popular, democratic movement in Haiti. Its goal is to help strengthen civil society in Haiti as a necessary foundation for democracy and development.

CONSTITUENCY INVOLVEMENT

The Lambi Fund of Haiti takes its lead from the peasant and women's organizations with which we collaborate. The Lambi Fund is based on the premise that the Haitian people understand how development is best achieved in their country. Therefore, the Lambi Fund follows the lead of grassroots organizations in program and priorities. The Lambi Fund never dictates to a community organization what should be done. Through discussion and reflection, the peasants decide what is best for their community and present the project to the Lambi Fund for support.

PROGRAM AREAS

The Lambi Fund focuses its funding in four main project areas:
Sustainable Development – Sustainable agricultural projects, animal husbandry, sustainable aquaculture and grain mills help increase food security and income for peasant organizations and families. Many of these projects benefit women, who bear a greater burden in the agricultural economy.
Community Micro-Credit – Our experience has shown that micro-credit is most successful when linked directly to community project activities. Members of community organizations band together to form collective micro-enterprise funds.
Environment – The conservation of Haiti's waning natural resources is central to all Lambi Fund projects. Community cisterns and irrigation systems help communities secure safe and efficient water supplies while community reforestation projects curb deforestation—the most rapid in the Western Hemisphere.
Organizational and Leadership Training – Alongside our routine technical and management training programs, the Lambi Fund provides organizational and leadership development training programs. These forums provide appropriate indigenous platforms for change and enable Haitian peasant and women's organizations a chance to exchange their views, experiences and plans.

SELF-SUSTAINABILITY

Organizations that receive funding are seen as partners in the development process and not as grantees. All Lambi Fund projects have the goal of self-sustainability, and organizations often receive over one year of technical and organizational training before receiving their grant. Projects are then monitored closely to ensure that they are run democratically and meet their objectives.

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY

Integrated into all Lambi Fund projects is the opportunity to reinforce indigenous democratic practices while enhancing skills in accountability and project implementation. The Lambi Fund focuses on the grassroots level through four mechanisms: community organizing, organizational development, civic participation, and promoting leadership by women.

PROVEN OUTCOMES

Since 1994, Lambi Fund has supported over 150 peasant led projects, reaching over one million Haitians.The Lambi Fund's projects have demonstrated impact in the areas of economic improvement, environmental sustainability, food security, democratic functioning, and gender equality, among others.