What Is Starfysh?

Established in 2010, Starfysh is a grassroots movement of folks with the crazy notion that we could turn desperate poverty on its ear for a small island in Haiti that 100,000 of the poorest people on Earth call home—and restore dignity and hope to those who’ve lost both.

Nothing less than a grand experiment in human compassion, Starfysh asks, “What if a few people and organizations, in gutsy Christian response, came together in synergistic partnerships and collaboration to focus on this small island of precious people? To demonstrate to them the love of Christ by feeding them and healing their sick and injured? To restore in them the dignity that God originally created them to have? To make sure their water doesn’t make them sick? To make sure each family has a weather-tight home, a garden, and a dignified way to provide for themselves? To restore in them the ability to hope again?” We choose to rise to the occasion.

We are Starfysh. And we invite you to join us. Thank you.

A Starfysh team member smiles while holding a young Haitian girl, reflecting the mission to restore dignity and hope.
Young Haitian children smiling in school uniforms, symbolizing hope and opportunity through Starfysh’s initiatives.

The Starfish Parable

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, so he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man reached down to the shore, picking up small objects and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?” The young man paused, looked up and replied, “Throwing starfish into the ocean.” “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man. To this the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!” As if he hadn’t heard, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it into the ocean.

As it met the water, he turned, smiled, and said, “Yes, but I just made a big difference to that one!”

The Island of La Gonave

They call her La Gonave. Home to 100,000 of the poorest, most beaten down people with whom we share our planet—yet most of the world does not know that she and her people exist. While the island is considered part of Haiti, La Gonave is, for the most part, disregarded by her motherland. She is “The Forgotten Haiti,” where three of every four children under five years of age are malnourished and where most people have no access to safe, clean water. Where meaningful work is nearly non-existent and the ability to hope for a better future has evaporated. Where only a slim minority of children can attend school and where, even for those fortunate enough to attend and complete school, there are no next steps.

Young children sitting outside a deteriorating mud-and-stick home on La Gonave, Haiti.
Children walking uphill carrying yellow water jugs in a rural area of La Gonave, Haiti.

But La Gonave’s people are beautiful, created by God to reflect his dignity, just like you and me.

They are a people who love their country, for all its flaws. They are smart people, beautiful people, creative people, and industrious people, whose children love to play and sing. They are a resilient people who desire, more than anything, to make a go of it, and who are willing to work hard to pull themselves and their land out of their rotten situation…if only there were a way to do it.

Sadly, these people have lost the hope and dignity they were created to have. They feel they have nothing to be proud of and they are sure the world doesn’t see them. Their lives are quietly desperate…hidden, for the most part, from the rest of Haiti…and certainly from the rest of the world.

Friends in need, we see you and choose this day to join you in your struggle.

Life on the Island

  • 1 of every 13 children dies before their 5th birthday.
  • 3 of every 4 children under 5 are malnourished and underweight.
  • 2 of every 3 children are anemic.
  • 3 of every 4 children are iodine deficient.
  • 1 of every 3 children are infected with intestinal parasites.
  • 80% of people have no access to basic health care.
  • Fewer than half of people can read.
  • Diarrheal illness causes more deaths than any other illness.

These realities are why Starfysh exists—to restore dignity, hope, and opportunity in La Gonave… because a new day is rising on the island.

A warm sunset over the mountains and coastline of La Gonave, Haiti, symbolizing hope and renewal

Our Purpose

MISSION

Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ and by His model of compassionate servanthood, Starfysh strives to restore dignity and hope through sustainable development in community health, education, and agriculture on the island of La Gonave, Haiti.

Vision

Our vision is to reverse the vicious cycle of poverty on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. We’ll know our vision has been realized when drinking water is clean, food is abundant, and people are able to provide for themselves, thus building dignity and hope for every person, every family, and every village on the island.

A group of Haitian schoolchildren in uniforms representing Starfysh’s vision to bring dignity and hope to every village on La Gonave.

Core Values

Driven and guided by the following core values, Starfysh is resolutely committed to implementing long-term, sustainable, and asset-based initiatives to communities on La Gonave. These values frame all of our planning and are central considerations to each project we implement.

Collaboration: We celebrate the fact that we are but one of many in a world of compassionate people and organizations working to relieve suffering and improve life for the desperately poor. We value the importance of partnerships in our efforts to bring about significant, sustainable change, and we welcome the expertise and skills that others can bring to the table.

Empowerment: In all we do, we desire that the recipients of our compassion would be encouraged, equipped, and strengthened toward greater levels of self-sufficiency.

Dignity: We recognize that the dignity of individuals and communities can be diminished by indiscriminate and careless charity. In all we do, we demand of ourselves that we build up the worth of those we serve.

Focus: We choose to pour all our energies into one place, the island of La Gonave, Haiti.

Sustainability: We regard our efforts as successful only to the point that we can see and measure progressively higher levels of independence.

Measurability: We regard our work seriously and will not let the outcomes of our efforts go unmeasured. The stakes are too high. Measurements of project impact and effectiveness will be essential learning tools that will sharpen and refine us as we move forward toward our vision.

Guiding Principles

It is possible for development agencies and charities to have harmful consequences in the wake of their well-meaning efforts. Indeed, charity efforts in Haiti have demonstrated abundant examples of this truth. Starfysh is always mindful of the harmful consequences that might arise out of the way we conduct ourselves in Haiti and strives hard to avoid the easy fixes and shortcuts that so often characterize the standard operating procedures of relief efforts.

In Starfysh’s determination to “do no harm,” we abide by the following principles:

Buy Local: When feasible, we will support the local economy by purchasing supplies in Haiti, preferably on La Gonave, even at times when the cost of supplies locally is more expensive than if purchased and shipped in from elsewhere.

No Bribes: We reject the practice of paying money for illegal favors.

Assets-Based Approach: Our approach in finding strategic solutions in a community gives priority to that village’s assets and strengths over its problems and needs.

Non-Political: We do not take positions on Haitian politics nor do we attempt to influence political discourse.

Christ-Centered Ethos: In all we do—whether in governance and strategic planning, in how we relate to people, or in our work on the ground in Haiti—our desire is to be “a light on a hill,” so that the love of God, in Jesus, will shine brightly for all to see.

Explore the Mission of Starfysh

Want to see the heart of Starfysh in action?

Our digital Mission Book shares stories of transformation, the people behind the work, and how your partnership makes a difference every day on La Gonave.

Read the Mission Book →

Our Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Dr. Steve Edmondson, Founder & President of Starfysh

Dr. Steve Edmondson, Founder & President
Vocation: Family Practice Physician, Retired
Education: BS Biology – Indiana Wesleyan University;
DO – Michigan State University College

 

Brian Dykstra, Vice President of Starfysh

Mr. Brian Dykstra, Vice President
Vocation: Vice President, Fifth Third Private Bank
Education: BBA – Hope College   

 

Doug Lockhart, Treasurer for Starfysh

Mr. Doug Lockhart, Treasurer & Board Chairman
Vocation: SVP Sales and Central Marketing, HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Education: BBA – Spring Arbor University; MBA – Western Michigan University

 

Mr. Greg Miller, Secretary
Vocation: Business Owner, The Cleaning Authority
Education: BA Intercultural Studies – Indiana Wesleyan University

 

Dr. Eli Maxime, Member at Large
Vocation: General Practice Physician, GHESKIO TB/HIV/AIDS Treatment Center
Education: MD – Lumiere University, Port-au-Prince

 

Cherese Gordon, Member at Large for Starfysh

Ms. Cherese Gordon, Member at Large
Vocation: Business Owner, Ziggi’s Coffee
Education: BA Communications – Spring Arbor University

 

Mr. Jone Destine, Member at Large
Vocation: Senior Trade Analyst, Amway Corporation
Education: BBA Purchasing & Supply Management – Central Michigan University

 

Mr. Daniel Bertrand, Member at Large
Vocation: CEO, La Gonave Wesleyan Hospital
Education: Engineering – Wesleyan College, La Gonave, Haiti

 

Ms. Megan Roelfsema
Vocation: Assistant Brand Manager, Global Beauty, Amway Corp.
Education: BBA Marketing – Western Michigan University

 

Ms. Penny Beatty, Member at Large, Director of Education
Vocation: Special Education Teacher Consultant
Education: BA Elementary Education, SLD Special Education/Learning Disabilities K-12, Reading Specialist – Maygrove College;
MA Elementary Education – Aquinas College

 

Joseph Yves, Advisory for Starfysh

Mr. Joseph Yves, Member at Large
Vocation: Community Health Education Coordinator
Education: Education – Wesleyan College, La Gonave, Haiti

 

Rev. Dan Irvine, Member at Large
Vocation: Haiti Country Director, World Hope International, retired
Education: BA Religious Education – Hope Sound Bible College;
MA Leadership, Indiana Wesleyan University

TEAM COORDINATOR AND HOST:

Freddy Williams
Formerly a full-time missionary in Haiti, Freddy brings a rich history of cultural understanding and experience, coupled with his gift of hospitality to his role as teams coordinator. Folks interested in visiting our work enjoy working with Freddy to make their visit a rewarding one.

 

FIELD PROJECTS DIRECTOR:

Paul Donn Jean
After earning his BS in Agronomy and MS in Project Development & Design, Agr. Paul Donn returned to his birthplace to use his skillsets in helping his people rise from poverty, making him a perfect fit for Starfysh’s objectives to do the same.

 

DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE:

Natalie Matthieu
After earning her Agronomy degree, Natalie joined the Life Garden team where she now serves as Director of Agriculture, overseeing nursery operations at Starfysh’s two garden campuses. In addition to directing nursery staff and site development, she has a passion for teaching agriculture principles to farmers in the field and students in the classroom.

 

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION:

Penny Beatty
Penny’s extensive credentials and experience as reading specialist, elementary-level teacher, working with learning disabilities/emotionally-impaired students, and her love for the Haitian people are a perfect fit for Starfysh’s vision for education. Her passion to improve literacy on the island and for teacher development is paying dividends on the island where overall adult literacy is only fifty percent.

Partners & Affiliations

Starfysh thrives through meaningful partnerships and trusted affiliations that help expand our reach and impact across La Gonave, Haiti. These collaborations strengthen our ability to deliver sustainable solutions in agriculture, education, and community health.

Our Partners

We work closely with the following organizations to serve the people of La Gonave:

WISH (West Indies Self Help)
haitiwish.com
Partnering in community development and infrastructure on La Gonave.

L’Hopital Wesleyen de La Gonave
hopitalwesleyen.org
A key healthcare provider on the island, supporting Starfysh’s medical outreach and public health efforts.

Decaid Project
decaidproject.org
Collaborating to bring clean water access and sanitation improvements to vulnerable communities.

World Hope International
worldhope.org
Supporting sustainable solutions in education, health, and economic development.

Global Partners Health Network (GPHN)
globalpartnersonline.org/gphn-haiti
A medical missions network supporting rural healthcare across Haiti, including La Gonave.

Our Affiliations

Starfysh relies on strategic logistical and humanitarian affiliations to operate effectively in hard-to-reach areas:

Missionary Flights International
missionaryflights.org
Providing essential air transport for our team and supplies between the U.S. and Haiti.

UNHAS / World Food Programme (WFP)
wfp.org/unhas
Facilitating air transport of personnel and cargo through the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, supporting our operations in remote areas of La Gonave.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Recognized status and clear reporting for donor confidence.

Non-Government Organization Status

Starfysh is proud to have been awarded official NGO status by the Haitian Government, a recognition enjoyed by fewer than ten percent of all charities operating in the country.

Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency

Starfysh enjoys Guidestar’s Gold Seal of Transparency. Guidestar gathers, organizes, and distributes information about US nonprofit organizations which is made available to potential partners and donors.

Financial Transparency Icon

Financial Transparency

To learn more about Starfysh’s financials, visit IRS.gov (EIN 27-1976856) or Guidestar.org.