FORF participates and sponsors conferences, explorations, and other projects consistent with its objectives of spurring the development of Haiti through education, civism, and tourism.

August 6-7, 2009 -- Mrs. Fombrun attended and participated in the the 2nd Annual International Congress of the Haitian Diaspora held in Sunny Isles, Florida. She was joined by FORF Board Member Dr. Charles Fombrun and by her nephew Christian Fombrun . The meeting included numerous presentations discussing the challenges of community development in Haiti, and emphasized the active and positive role the Diaspora could take in promoting Haiti to the international community. Former President Bill Clinton gave the closing address to an attentive audience, and confirmed his commitment to bringing private investors and changing perceptions of Haiti as part of his appointment as UN Special Envoy. View part of his presentation.

Fall 2009 --The FORF is supporting the Ayiti Toma 2009 speleological expedition, a study project of the caves of Haiti launched by professional photo journalist Carole Devillers and speleologist Olivier Testa. The project's three main objectives are to look for remnants, artifacts and cave paintings of the Taino indian culture, to study the sacred caves and rites associated with these cavities, and to explore and survey the unfathomable potholes found in Haiti. The prospects are many and will benefit Haiti in various domains such as Haitian culture, tourism, training of Haitian guides, natural heritage protection and preservation as well as science. Similar caves have been uncovered in recent years in Haiti, including the Grotte Marie Jeanne near Port-a-Piment. A recent finding of ruins of colonial coffee plantations attests to the wealth of historical treasures yet to be uncovered throughout Haiti. In summer 2010, the expedition will continue and will be extended to the Nippes region of Haiti, where FORF is planning a local development initiative consistent with the Konbit Touris Lakay.



February-June 2010: Following the earthquake of January 2010 that destroyed countless schools, as well as FORF's own offices in Petionville, FORF hosted various meetings with school directors, local community officials, and Haiti's Ministry of Education. The purpose of these meetings was to identify possible sponsorship initatives that could provide assistance to targeted neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. The needs are vast, and discussions are ongoing, particularly as they need to be coordinated the many other programs under consideration by the CIRH (Committee for the Reconstruction of Haiti). As part of addressing the need for more coordinated delivery of educational services to affected populations, FORF has proposed a plan to regroup secondary schools around a local community center where centralized services such as libraries, computer labs, and sports facilities could be more efficiently delivered.