Our Story
The GarÃnagu are an ethnic group with a vibrant heritage, language, music, dance and spirituality adopted from their two ancestral heritage:The South American Indians of and the displaced Africans. Conflicting accounts of how the Africans arrived in St. Vincent are told by many sources. One popular, and traditional story account for the tale of West African slaves herded aboard ships, most likely destined for the New World mines and plantations, when the ships wrecked off the coast of St. Vincent in 1635.
The slaves found refuge with the island’s Carib Indians, who were themselves immigrants from South America, intermarried and produced a new breed of people, the Garifuna. The GarÃfuna population greatly increased to surpass the original Carib Indians and they coexisted peacefully with French settlers who came to the island later in the 17th century. However, tensions arose when English colonists began to arrive and demand land. These tensions eventually turned to war.
Hopelessly outnumbered by British troops, the GarÃfuna and the French supporters surrendered in 1796. The English exiled and imprisoned the Garifuna to the island of Baliceaux, where many died due to appalling conditions. Transplanted from St. Vincent and displaced in regions unsustainable for the Garifuna’s way of life – mainly agriculture and fisheries, as a result, the people suffered many hardships.
Those who survived the atrocities of the British, were later shipped to Roatán Island off the coast of Honduras. The displacement of the Garifuna people resulted in several migration to other coastal regions of Central America, namely Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Today, many Garifuna youth and young adults have immigrated to many prominent cities of the United States, namely New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in search of a better life. Currently modern challenges face the Garifuna people who remained in their homeland.
| Year | Timeline – Uprooted and Moving Forward |
|---|---|
|
1220 |
Carib and Arawak mixed, abandoned settlement in South America and migrated to the Lesser Antilles mainly on the island of St. Vincent |
|
1517 |
African Slaves imported to the New World |
|
1635 |
African shipwrecks off the coast of St. Vincent. Island Caribs mixes with Africans result in the birth of the Black Caribs – Garifuna (singular) or Garinagu (plural) |
|
1676 |
increase growth in the population of Garifuna people in St. Vincent |
|
1769-1796 |
First and Second Carib War with Britain. Treaty of Aix La Chapelle – Land partitioning between Britain and France to include land owned by Black Caribs. |
|
Timeless |
Garifuna people now with no land were gathered by the British soldiers and exiled with internment to the island of Baliceaux. British falsely accuse Garinagu of cannibalism to ensure no one grants assistance.
OUR DISPLACEMENT AND RESILIENCE BEGINS. |
|
1797 |
The Garifuna people arrive and settle in Roatan Island in the Bay of Honduras. Allowed to stay by the Spaniards because they showed themselves to be honest and hardworking, dismissing the British claim. |
|
1802-1812 |
The arrival of Garinagu in Belize after fleeing from Republican revolt in Honduras, led by Alejo Benni. |
|
1832-1900 |
Mass exodus of Garinagu to Belize settling near the coastal areas in Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Barranco, Livingston and Hopkins, where they predominately live today. Nov 19th 1941Founding of Garifuna Settlement Day by T.V. Ramos. |
|
1977 |
Government declaration of Garifuna Settlement Day – a public holiday in Belize |
|
1987 |
The formation of the National Garifuna Council whose purpose is to preserve, strengthen and develop the Garifuna Culture. |
|
2001 |
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, proclaimed the Garifuna Language, Music and Dance a Masterpiece of the Oral and intangible Heritage of Humanity. |
|
2007 |
Forming of CAME, International, now GAMAE, International, whose sole purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the Garifuna Culture among youth and young adults in the United States and abroad. |
|
2012 |
Marks 210 years of Garifuna settlement in Belize. The decision to restructure GAMAE, International, with efforts to recruit and collaborate with key leaders to assist us in economic development for the Garifuna people. |
|
2012-Present |
GAMAE International working to build capacity by creating alliances with academic institutions, global agencies, and volunteers to address the challenges facing the Garifuna communities in Southern Belize, Central America. |
The Garifuna Communities We Serve in Southern Belize, Central America
The Garifuna Communities We Serve Southern Belize, Central America
The Timeline *Uprooted and moving forward
1220 – Carib and Arawak mixed, abandoned settlement in South America and migrated to the Lesser Antilles mainly on the island of St. Vincent
1517 –  African Slaves imported to the New World
1635 – African shipwrecks off the coast of St. Vincent. Island Caribs mixes with Africans result in the birth of the Black Caribs – Garifuna (singular) or Garinagu (plural)
1676Â Â Â increase growth in the population of Garifuna people in St. Vincent
1769 – 1796   First and Second Carib War with Britain
Treaty of Aix La Chapelle – Land partitioning between Britain and France to include Black Carib’s land.
Garifuna people now with no land were gathered by the British soldiers and exiled with internment to the island of Baliceaux. British falsely accuse Garinagu of cannibalism to ensure no one grants assistance.
1797 The Garifuna people arrive and settle in Roatan Island in the Bay of Honduras. Allowed to stay by the Spaniards because they showed themselves to be honest and             hardworking, dismissing the British claim.
1802-1812Â Â The arrival of Garinagu in Belize after fleeing from Republican revolt in Honduras, led by Alejo Benni.
1832 – 1900 Mass exodus of Garinagu to Belize settling near the coastal areas in Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Barranco, Livingston and Hopkins, where they predominately live today.             1941Nov 19th Founding of Garifuna Settlement Day by T.V. Ramos.
1977  Government declaration of Garifuna Settlement Day – a public holiday in Belize
1987Â Â The formation of the National Garifuna Council whose purpose is to preserve, strengthen and develop the Garifuna Culture.
2001  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, proclaimed the Garifuna Language, Music and Dance a Masterpiece of the Oral and               IntangibleHeritage of Humanity
2007  Forming of CAME, International, now GAMAE, International, whose sole purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the Garifuna Culture among youth and young               adults in the United States and abroad.
2012  Marks 210 years of Garifuna settlement in Belize. The decision to restructure GAMAE, International, with efforts to recruit and collaborate with key leaders to assist             us in economic development for the Garifuna people.
2012-Present   GAMAE Internationalworking to build capacity by creating alliances with academic institutions, global agencies,and volunteer to address the challenges facing the             Garifuna community in Belize, Central America.
The Garifuna Communities We Serve Southern Belize, Central America
ABOUT US
Inspired by the limitless sacrifices of the Garinagu and built on the passion to become change agents, the 501©3 nonprofit organization, GAMAE International was formed. The organization was established in 2007 by concerned Garifuna nationals living in the United States. Four divisions were formed to help shed light on the unique cultural heritage and to address the contemporary challenges and struggles faced by the Garinagu in Southern Belize.We created a community model with four divisions that we identified as integral to achieving economic prosperity within our communities. These four divisions provide a systematic approach to economic development, strengthen our Garifuna communities, and achieve sustainable development goals with our community leader’s consensus.
GAMAE is an acronym for: Garifuna • Arts •Medicine •Agriculture •Education
OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE
In a country where economic prosperity is not equitable for all its citizens, we realize the importance of fostering community development with projects focused on economic growth and sustainability while addressing the challenges that face the Garifuna community in Southern Belize, Central America.
We created a community model with four divisions that we identified as integral to achieving economic prosperity within our communities. These four divisions provide a systematic approach to economic development, strengthen our Garifuna community, and achieve sustainable development goals with a global consensus.
OUR MISSION
We address problems and seek solutions for youth and young adults in the Garifuna community. We aim to improve lives by setting goals that move us forward and ultimately towards a sustainable future.
OUR STRATEGIES & GOAL
Through enterprise and innovation, we envision our role as change agents. GAMAE in the Garifuna language means we have, GAMAE wamali, means we now have. Through the implementation of a community model, we seek to:
- Empower and support the Garinagu with the skills and knowledge to realize their own economic aspirations.
- Preserve the Garifuna cultural traditions through the Arts, Medicine, Agriculture and Education
- Invest in Garinagu youth and young abouts in areas that promote jobs, and encourage entrepreneurship.
- Further assist in moving the Garinagu people forward with goals that will enhance lives, and prepare the future generation.
OUR TEAM
Our leadership team is comprised of volunteer Board Members and Program Directors who meet regularly to ensure that our goals are being met as an organization and that all programs are running as per their predefined goals. Each team member volunteers their time to help achieve GAMAE International’s goals towards progressive and equitable economic development and creating a sustainable future.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Through enterprise and innovation, we envision our role as change agents. GAMAE in the Garifuna language means we have, GAMAE wamali, means we now have. Through the implementation of a community model, we seek to:
Eleanor Castillo Bullock, MPA
GAMAE Co-founder and Director of Arts & Culture
Rebekah Castillo, MPH
Co-founder and Executive Director
Tiffany Jackson, MPH
GAMAE Associate Director, Medicine & Health
Dean Martinez, Bsc
GAMAE, Director of Agriculture
Nicole Perkins, MS
GAMAE, Associate Director of Education
Alicia McKenzie.
Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Anthony Culpepper
Dr. Michelle Forbes
Daniel Kaufman
Dr. & Mrs. Sola Okunseinde
James Lovell, JLAMA Garifuna
Evelyn Ganigi Muckett, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Carol Martinez, Project Management
D’Arcel Bullock
Dominique Bullock
Caroline Valentine-Codd, MD
Dyny Martinez
Tamika Castillo
Diceve Ramirez
Maren Kamil Vera
Ethan Valasquez
Ishmael Nunez
Trizane Troy Mejia
Richard &Helen Cho
Charlotte Martinez
Jeannie Cabral
Josh Arana
International Garifuna Council
National Garifuna Association
New York State Council on the Arts
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
United Nations Education, Scientific, Communication Organization (UNESCO) World Bank
Dr. Cadrin E. Gill, MD, F.A.A.F.P
Dr. & Mrs. Sola Okunseinde
International Garifuna Council
Mr. Daniel Kaufman, Endangered Language Alliance
St. Vincent Brewery Ltd
St. Vincent Ministry of Culture
St. Vincent Regional Integration Diaspora Unit (RIDU)
Dr. Woody Jackson
Nadir Ali II
Gustavus Aranda
Dr. Linda Everett
Jean Dume
Renee Allen-Fulton
Chad & Heidi Gray
Lilia Gutowski
Ian Jackson
Dr. Woody Jackson
Lamaute Family
Oscar Leos
Roxanne Randolph & Family
Colby Thronton
Shenae Williams & Family
Kevin & Eleanor Zuniga
Rebecca Swaso
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dr. Anthony Culpepper
Dr. Michelle Forbes
Prof. Lea Ramsdell
Dr. & Mrs. Sola Okunseinde
US ADVISORS
James Lovell, JLAMA Garifuna
Evelyn Ganigi Muckett, St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Carol Martinez, Project Management
D’Arcel Bullock
D’Arcel Bullock
BELIZE ADVISORS
Caroline Valentine-Codd, MD
Dyny Martinez
Tamika Castillo
Diceve Ramirez
Tamika Castillo
Maren Kamil Vera
Ethan Valasquez
Ishmael Nunez
TrizaneTroy Mejia
Richard &Helen Cho
Charlotte Martinez
Jeannie Cabral
SPONSORS
International Garifuna Council
National Garifuna Association
New York State Council on the Arts
New Jersey State Council on the Arts
United Nations Education, Scientific, Communication Organization (UNESCO) World Bank
DONORS - ARTS
Dr. Cadrin E. Gill, MD, F.A.A.F.P
Dr. & Mrs. Sola Okunseinde
International Garifuna Council
Mr. Daniel Kaufman, Endangered Language Alliance
St. Vincent Brewery Ltd
St. Vincent Ministry of Culture
St. Vincent Regional Integration Diaspora Unit (RIDU)
Dr. Woody Jackson
DONORS – MEDICINE & HEALTH
Nadir Ali II
Gustavus Aranda
Dr. Linda Everett
Jean Dume
Renee Allen-Fulton
Chad & Heidi Gray
Lilia Gutowski
Ian Jackson
Dr. Woody Jackson
Lamaute Family
Oscar Leos
Roxanne Randolph & Family
Colby Thronton
Shenae Williams & Family
Kevin & Eleanor Zuniga
PARTNERS
FINANCIALS
A 990 IRS form for a nonprofit is normally filed when the income is over $25,000. As GAMAE has been recently restructured, we have joined GuideStar, which promotes nonprofit transparency. Please find below our annual report for 2011(11), and our IRS letter of determination (12).
