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GARIFUNA AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION UNITED

GAHFU

garifunaheritagefoundation@yahoo.com

SERVICES

OUR
SERVICES

garifunaheritagefoundation@yahoo.com

WORKSHOPS

PERFORMANCES

PRESENTATIONS

CULTURAL EVENTS

WHO

WE ARE

GAHFU is a non-profit 501 c-3 born in 2005 in Los Angeles, CA

The mission of GAHFU is to serve the Garifuna-American, Caribbean-American and Central American community in the greater Los Angeles and Long Beach area, the Untied States and abroad through cultural education programs, outreach, advocacy and social services programs.

To empower and educate the people about the rich history and values of Garifuna culture by preserving and disseminating its culture in order to re-acculturate the new generations of Garifuna Americans. To create innovative educational programs that motivate, expand knowledge, promote its culture in general, enhance Garifuna awareness for opportunities and foster Garifuna identity. GAHFU believes that having an appreciation of one’s own culture sets the stage for developing partnership with people who come from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Vision:

To establish a community cultural center in the Los Angeles County area, where Garinagu, Caribbean, Central Americans/Afro-Latino from all communities can congregate to preserve the uniqueness of their cultures. We are dedicated to the preservation of the Garifuna culture, language, history, spirituality, music, arts and crafts, through creative and innovative educational programs by working together with Garifuna and non Garifuna communities to motivate, expand awareness, and to promote knowledge of cultural pride around the world.

Goals:

1. To establish a Community Cultural and Learning Center in the Los Angeles county area.

2. Work to maintain the Garifuna language and culture alive.

3. Create innovative educational programs that motivate, expand knowledge, promote its culture in general and enhance cultural awareness.

4. Build a strong Garifuna, Caribbean, Central American/Afro-Latino community through education and organizing.

5. To establish social service and immigration programs to address the issues in the underserved Garifuna, Caribbean, Central Americans/Afro-Latino population in Los Angeles County area.

GAHFU and its subsequent programs The Clifford J. Palacio Language and Culture Academy (formerly known as GAHFU’s Language and Culture Academy), the Lidereibugu Garifuna Ensemble (formerly known as GAHFU’s Garifuna Dancing and Drumming Ensemble), Garifuna Street Fest - November Garifuna Heritage Month are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. As the community representatives who direct the policy of our organization, the Board is the driving force behind our mission and growth. Our Board's composition is a blend of Garifuna and non Garifuna professionals, volunteers who share a range of talent, cultural knowledge and education expertise. Our Board members are: Mr. Clifford J. Palacio, Dr. Cadrin E. Gill, Professor Esther D. Nunez, Dr. Oliver Nathan Greene, and the late Dr. Michele Goldwasser who gave so much to the Garifuna community especially in Los Angeles.

ABOUT US

OUR
WORK

Welcome to the Clifford J. Palacio Garifuna Language & Culture Academy
We have proudly been serving the community through education, forums, workshops and presentations since 2005.

The Clifford J. Palacio Garifuna Language & Culture Academy of Los Angeles is a concept started by GAHFU, Inc. The school was established in 2005 and it was first held at Maabatuwa Cultural Center of Los Angeles. After Maabatuwa, GAHFU saw the need to establish a more permanent school where families could attend and learn. The purpose of this project is to preserve the Garifuna language spoken and written which is the lifeline of the Garifuna people. Those who are fluent in Garifuna can improve their vocabulary and learn how to read and write the Garifuna language following the standardized rules accorded in the last convention by the Garifuna Nation scholars. The school was renamed the Clifford J. Palacio Language & Culture Academy in honor of Mr. Palacio for his lifelong dedication in teaching the Garifuna language and grammar to many generations. Mr. Palacio's legacy continues through the teachers at the Clifford J. Palacio Language & Culture Academy whom were all trained by Mr. Palacio.

The Clifford J. Palacio Garifuna Language & Culture Academy will deliver four 8-week radio programs starting on February17, 2016 with Garifuna History class taught by Dr. Theodore Aranda. Then, in mid April, the Garifuna Language class will follow for another 8 weeks taught by a recognized scholar to be announced. It will focus on learning abut how to read and write the language. The next 8-week radio program will start in late June with the Garifuna Spirituality and Garifunaduau class taught by another well-known Garifuna. The final 8-week radio program will start in early September with more Garifuna language classes.

*This project has been made possible in part by a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation.

Language Preservation Program:

Preserving language, culture and heritage is one of the focuses of the Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United, and that is why we offer Garifuna language classes every Saturday during the school year through the Clifford J. Palacio Language and Culture Academy.

These classes go hand in hand with cultural dance and drumming classes. Classes are offered on Saturday mornings and provide instruction at the beginners, intermediate and advance levels. We are proud to say that our volunteer teachers provide quality Garifuna language instruction and provide individuals of all ages and background with quality cultural education.

We have proudly been serving the community through education, forums, workshops and presentations since 2005.

The Clifford J. Palacio Garifuna Language & Culture Academy of Los Angeles is a concept started by GAHFU, Inc. The school was established in 2005 and it was first held at Maabatuwa Cultural Center of Los Angeles. After Maabatuwa, GAHFU saw the need to establish a more permanent school where families could attend and learn. The purpose of this project is to preserve the Garifuna language spoken and written which is the lifeline of the Garifuna people. Those who are fluent in Garifuna can improve their vocabulary and learn how to read and write the Garifuna language following the standardized rules accorded in the last convention by the Garifuna Nation scholars. The school was renamed the Clifford J. Palacio Language & Culture Academy in honor of Mr. Palacio for his lifelong dedication in teaching the Garifuna language and grammarr to many generations. Mr. Palacio's legacy continues through the teachers at the Clifford J. Palacio Language & Culture Academy whom were all trained by Mr. Palacio.

For more information regarding language or dance classes, please contact GAHFU at (323) 628-5403

WORK

COLLABORATIONS

COLLABORATIONS

GAHFU has been working with the following institutions throughout the years: Garifuna Drum Making Workshops, Garifuna History and Culture Presentations, Wanaragua Dancers, Drumming Workshop. Also, GAHFU collaborated with Cal State University Los Angeles, Northridge, Los Angeles Southwest College, Pitzer College, and Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn to have them host the annual Garifuna Community Forum.