Garifuna Children in Honduras
Donation protected
My name is Isidra Sabio; I am Garifuna woman and want to invite you to be part of an AMAZING cause.
We need your help bringing books that explain the Garifuna history to children living in Garifuna villages in Honduras, so they can better understand their own RICH cultural heritage, develop a sense of identity and pride, and increase their self-esteem as members of this unique ethnic group.
Our Culture originated from the Island of St. Vincent (in the Caribbean) in the 1600’s. We are a mixture Arawak Indians, Caribs, and Africans taken to the Caribbean as slaves. We were exiled from the island in 1797 after being overpowered by the British army; less than 2,500 of my Garifuna ancestors survived and were then shipped to Central America. After more than 200 years, we have managed to preserve our language and culture. Therefore, in 2001 the UNESCO declared the Garifuna language, dance and music a “Masterpiece of the Oral & Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
Garifuna villages are now found in Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua. There are an estimated 100,000 Garifuna in Honduras alone.
Aside from few stories that has been passed down through oral traditions, most garifuna children have NEVER read nor been taught their fascinating history - I was one of them. No one around me knew our history and there wasn’t a book that would explain the Garifuna history. Growing up, not knowing my history came with challenges and setbacks because for too long I did not fully understand who I was. For this reason, I wrote, illustrated, and published a book titled “Somos Garinagu” (We are Garinagu).
“Somos Garinagu” is the currently the ONLY book that introduces our rich history and customs to children (Garinagu is plural for Garifuna).
"Somos Garinagu" is a story of two siblings, Ana and David, traveling for the first time to the Garifuna village where their grandparents live. During that trip, they learned the history of the Garifuna people, the food, the music, and some traditions.
Not knowing our history has created problems in our communities such as the loss of cultural identity through assimilation, children leaving our communities and many migrating as unaccompanied minors to the United States, among other social issues. In addition to that, we are being forced out of our communities by the government and international companies, as it happened more than 200 years ago in St. Vincent. “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”
I need YOUR help in reaching as many Garifuna children as possible so they can discover the history of ingenuity, struggle, and bravery of their ancestors and value their cultural heritage through this book… and hopefully we can start building a better future for them!
The goal is to raise enough funds ($3500) to place "Somos Garinagu" in the hands of, at least, 500 children in several communities in Honduras.
How can you help?
If you donate $7, you are providing a book for one child.
If you donate $20, you are providing books for an entire family (3)!
If you donate $100, will provide books for 14 children!
This project is being done in partnership with the “First Garifuna Hospital” (www.facebook.com/PrimerHospitalGarifuna) And GaHESI (www.facebook.com/pages/Garifuna-Health-and-Education-Support-Institute)
Thank for helping us to preserve our history and to create awareness about our amazing culture!
Seremein (thank you in Garifuna)
We need your help bringing books that explain the Garifuna history to children living in Garifuna villages in Honduras, so they can better understand their own RICH cultural heritage, develop a sense of identity and pride, and increase their self-esteem as members of this unique ethnic group.
Our Culture originated from the Island of St. Vincent (in the Caribbean) in the 1600’s. We are a mixture Arawak Indians, Caribs, and Africans taken to the Caribbean as slaves. We were exiled from the island in 1797 after being overpowered by the British army; less than 2,500 of my Garifuna ancestors survived and were then shipped to Central America. After more than 200 years, we have managed to preserve our language and culture. Therefore, in 2001 the UNESCO declared the Garifuna language, dance and music a “Masterpiece of the Oral & Intangible Heritage of Humanity”.
Garifuna villages are now found in Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua. There are an estimated 100,000 Garifuna in Honduras alone.
Aside from few stories that has been passed down through oral traditions, most garifuna children have NEVER read nor been taught their fascinating history - I was one of them. No one around me knew our history and there wasn’t a book that would explain the Garifuna history. Growing up, not knowing my history came with challenges and setbacks because for too long I did not fully understand who I was. For this reason, I wrote, illustrated, and published a book titled “Somos Garinagu” (We are Garinagu).
“Somos Garinagu” is the currently the ONLY book that introduces our rich history and customs to children (Garinagu is plural for Garifuna).
"Somos Garinagu" is a story of two siblings, Ana and David, traveling for the first time to the Garifuna village where their grandparents live. During that trip, they learned the history of the Garifuna people, the food, the music, and some traditions.
Not knowing our history has created problems in our communities such as the loss of cultural identity through assimilation, children leaving our communities and many migrating as unaccompanied minors to the United States, among other social issues. In addition to that, we are being forced out of our communities by the government and international companies, as it happened more than 200 years ago in St. Vincent. “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”
I need YOUR help in reaching as many Garifuna children as possible so they can discover the history of ingenuity, struggle, and bravery of their ancestors and value their cultural heritage through this book… and hopefully we can start building a better future for them!
The goal is to raise enough funds ($3500) to place "Somos Garinagu" in the hands of, at least, 500 children in several communities in Honduras.
How can you help?
If you donate $7, you are providing a book for one child.
If you donate $20, you are providing books for an entire family (3)!
If you donate $100, will provide books for 14 children!
This project is being done in partnership with the “First Garifuna Hospital” (www.facebook.com/PrimerHospitalGarifuna) And GaHESI (www.facebook.com/pages/Garifuna-Health-and-Education-Support-Institute)
Thank for helping us to preserve our history and to create awareness about our amazing culture!
Seremein (thank you in Garifuna)
Organizer
Isidra Sabio
Organizer
Durham, NC
