The Lambi Fund of Haiti

Spring 2009 Newsletter — Contents

Member Profile

Q&A With One of Our Partners

Benilia Claude, of Ti Komite Legliz (TKL)—Oscar Romero Ox Plowing Project

Lambi Fund: You are a founding member of TKL-Oscar Romero. What led to forming this organization and what is your current role?

Benilia Claude: In August of 2004, a group of us younger members in the community were sitting around and talking about how difficult our lives were and the many struggles we faced in trying to make a living.

This area was not developing as quickly as others and we decided that if we hoped for any sort of future, we needed to join together and help one another.

We went door to door encouraging people to attend a meeting, and soon the community became very engaged and involved in TKL-Oscar Romero.

Members asked me to run for President of the organization and I was elected.

LF: What is your involvement with the Lambi Fund?

BC: In 2008, TKL-Oscar Romero formed a partnership with the Lambi Fund of Haiti that allowed us to overcome our shortage of resources in working the land.

We have been able to implement a successful ox plow service for the community that allows farmers to affordably plow crops that were previously sown by hand.

I have also participated in numerous organizational training workshops from Lambi Fund.

LF: What were you taught at Lambi Fund's training seminars?

BC: The most beneficial topics were how to manage and care for the animals (the oxen), and how to be a strong member and a strong organization. Lambi Fund also taught us long-term money management and budgeting techniques.

LF: What has helped you to be a good president for TKL-Oscar Romero, and what are some current struggles your organization faces?

BC: I would say that life experience and the Lambi Fund trainings have helped me obtain the management skills necessary to be a good president.

I understand that life is hard, and that you cannot let go or give up in the struggle for a better tomorrow; I never want to lose hope. Being a mom helps, too.

Currently, the members and I are poor and we would like to be able to expand the mutual fund so that everyone can be assured access.

The fund allows us women to do more for our families: we can borrow 2,000 gds to buy products to sell at the market so that we can make a small profit.

I guess, ultimately, the most frustrating thing is that there are not enough resources to support our organization's long-term vision.

LF: What are your and TKL-Oscar Romero's plans for the future?

BC: I hope to continue in partnership with the Lambi Fund so that members and I may continue to strengthen our community.

We would like to continue our reforestation efforts, start a micro-credit fund especially for women, and work to ensure that all of TKL-Oscar Romero's children have the funds to attend school. I know that at times progress is slow, but a sustainable future for our community is real.