Our Story
The Garínagu are an ethnic group with a vibrant heritage, language, music, dance and spirituality adopted from their two ancestral heritages: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, andtraditional 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 Garífuna 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 Garífuna 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, namelyBelize, 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.
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)
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 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.
1802-1812 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. 1941Nov 19th Founding 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 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 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 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.
1802-1812 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. 1941Nov 19th Founding 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 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 CommunitiesWe 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, strengthenour Garifuna communities, and achieve sustainable development goals withcommunity 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 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 children, youth, and young adults in the Garifuna community. We aim to improve lives by setting goals that move us 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 young abouts promote jobs, and encourage entrepreneurship.
- Further assist in moving the Garinagu people forward with goals that will create jobs, 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
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
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
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).
