The speakers were Margie Thompson, a professor at the University of Denver, and Godson Beaugelin, a native of Haiti working for and representing the Lambi Fund.

Professor Thompson showed a powerpoint presentation about FIRE (Feminist International Radio Endeavor), which communicates via mobile equipment and covers many different issues from a woman’s perspective. She also mentioned the Feminist International Solidarity Camp which was opening in Haiti and is geared toward women’s needs and concerns that might not be covered by other NGO initiatives. A youtube video titled “Haiti-Año Cero” was also shown to illustrate the devastation experienced by the country as a result of the earthquake. Her action steps included a cell phone campaign of $20-40/month to recharge a Haitian woman activist’s cell phone and calling the Haitian woman once a month, though a French speaker or translation on your end is required. Another action step was donations to provide hand-crank radios, flashlights(includes cell phone charger) and mosquito netting. Donation checks of $10-$199 should be written to Margie Thompson (put “FIRE-Haiti” in the subject line), write to [email protected] with questions.

Mr. Beaugelin is studying Political Science and film at UC-Denver and has family still living in Haiti. He mentioned current problems for people in Haiti such as lack of safe drinking water and why projects of Lambi Fund are relevant and needed, especially since the mass exodus of people to the countryside strained rural communities’ needs. One example is that trees are desperately needed to help stabilize the topsoil because they are used for charcoal, which heavily depletes their resources and allows mudslides and other problems from soil erosion to occur. His action steps were to donate to the Lambi Fund because they support long-term solutions that have the capacity to make a difference for the people in Haiti. The Lambi Fund channels financial and other resources to community-based organizations that promote the social and economic empowerment of the Haitian people and 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.