GAHFU, INC.

The 2013 Garifuna class schedule will be posted soon. Thank you for your interest in attending the Garifuna Language and Culture Academy.

Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United, Inc. is an Garifuna American non-profit charitable organization operating under the provisions of 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and based in Long Beach, California.
"We are dedicated to the preservation of the Garifuna language,culture, history and wellbeing."

Buiti Achülürüni - Bienvenido - Welcome!

On May 18th 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.

An educational, historic study of Garifuna culture tells you that Garifuna people never suffered the inhumane act of enslavment, a terrible crime against humanity that brutalized so many others, and their cultures. The Garifuna culture has preserved a lot that should be shared with our descendants and the world. - Un estudio educativo e historico de la cultura asevera que Los Garinagu nunca sufrieron el acto inhumano de la esclavitud, un crimen terrible en contra de la humanidad el cual afecto y brutalizo a muchos otros y sus culturas tambien. La cultura Garifuna ha logrado preservar mucho de lo cual deberia de ser compartido con los Afro-descendientes y todo el mundo.

The mission of GAHFU is to serve the Garifuna-American community in the greater Los Angeles area, the Untied States and abroad through cultural programs, outreach, advocacy and social services programs. GAHFU is dedicated to the dissemination and preservation of Garifuna heritage through the arts, music, culture and language education, in addition to providing social and cultural awareness programs such as youth mentoring/leadership, Garifuna classes, cultural competency and enrichment programs, community forums, and more. 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. GAHFU serves a nation that reaches across the globe annually and seeks to educate and inform the larger Los Angeles County about Garifuna culture and the contributions that Garifuna-Americans have made and continue to make in the social and cultural fabric in Central, North America and the Caribbean.

Garifuna American Heritage Foundation United is an exempt organization under section 501 ( c) (3) and all donations are tax deductible. Our purpose is to preserve the uniqueness of the Garifuna culture, history, language, music, arts & crafts and spirituality by working closely with the Garifuna community not only in Los Angeles County, but throughout the world. We seek to enhance and showcase the image and vision of the Garifuna people through education, music and the arts. We are committed to bringing the necessary resources to improve the wellbeing of the community through health seminars, HIV and AIDS and Drug & Alcohol education. GAHFU also recognizes the need to assist in acquiring adequate healthcare, child care, proper nutrition, clothing and shelter for our elders and our children. GAHFU will be an advocate to obtain services needed in the community and especially by our senior citizens which will enable them to live in dignity with cultural pride during their golden years. We will develop afterschool cultural enrichment classes and leadership programs for our youth. GAHFU is also committed providing mentoring programs and provide scholarships to socio-economically disadvantaged Garifuna children in California and in Central America. Our endeavor also includes to be able to properly channel the music, dance and the arts to the world. There is a strong, talented and artistically inclined group of Garifuna artists who are the lifeline of the Garifuna culture. This talent is in danger of being lost if not preserved and/or exposed properly.