From new wells and thriving school gardens to daily meals for students and expanding Starlink connectivity, your support is making tangible, life-changing impact across La Gonave, Haiti. In this Spring 2025 update, we share how Starfysh’s mission of compassion, dignity, and hope is bearing fruit through education, agriculture, and community health initiatives. We’re also gearing up for this summer’s Golf Classic—and you’re invited to be part of the momentum.
Dear Friends,
🌱 Spring on La Gonave
Spring is an exciting time on La Gonave. Come April, the return of rains will be a welcome sight for those who grow food for their families. Nearly all of La Gonave’s households farm their land to some extent. Even those with tiny plots try to grow food in bags and buckets or on land of relatives.
There’s a buzz, a good restlessness, as people prepare their gardens. Traveling any road, you’ll see farmers working the soil or heading to Life Garden for vegetable seeds and fruit tree seedlings. It’s an exciting time.
Seeds, Conferences & Local Impact
🌾 Seeds of Hope
You who know me well know that I’m a gardener at heart. I, too, get restless every March when the snow melts and the ground thaws and the seed catalogs arrive. The difference? My family doesn’t depend on our garden to survive. In contrast, our Haitian friends rely on their gardens to avoid starvation.
This spring, we’re distributing 300 pounds of heirloom vegetable seeds—double last year’s amount. These varieties allow farmers to collect seeds for future plantings. Many are also used for trials or to build our own seed bank.
We’re also preparing for Life Garden’s annual Agriculture Conference in May, where farmers gather for two days of workshops and leave with seeds in hand. Konferans Agricol continues to grow in both reach and impact.
Expanding Water Access to Grow More
💧 Water is Coming
We’ve made critical progress at both Life Garden campuses. In February, a well was drilled in the center of our mountain campus—giving us unlimited fresh water for the first time.
Meanwhile, well equipment stuck in our Port-au-Prince mailroom for nearly a year finally made its way to the island. It wasn’t without risk—gang members extorted the courier multiple times en route—but the equipment is now safely in our hands, and drilling will begin in May.
Unlimited water opens new doors for agricultural impact. Already, we’re seen as the island’s primary resource for farmers. With God’s help, that influence will only grow.
Blessings to you all.
Steve Edmondson
President, Starfysh
FOOD RELIEF
Chronic hunger remains a critical problem in all of Haiti
Half of the country falls into a “crisis” or “emergency” food insecurity category. ALL OF LA GONAVE IS CONSIDERED TO BE AT THE “EMERGENCY” LEVEL. Food supplies—especially staples—are critically low on the island. Armed gang violence on the mainland, cutting off food supply chains, is a major contributing factor.
Starfysh’s model for addressing the problem of hunger on the island is primarily through DEVELOPMENT—dealing with UPSTREAM causes. And, while the world community deals with the awful, way-upstream systemic issues of Haiti, Starfysh is busy about the task of helping the people of La Gonave produce as much food locally as they can.
That said, we cannot ignore the opportunities in front of us to feed the poor when we have the chance. Thanks to the financial partnership of a compassionate donor whose heart was moved to help, we are currently able to provide 2,160 NUTRITIOUS MEALS PER MONTH to an especially vulnerable population of children on the island.
MOBILE STARLINK
Expanding Connectivity Across La Gonave
As a result of the gift of a generous partner, Starfysh will soon have the ability to connect donors to our work through a mobile, high-speed Starlink internet unit that can be transported to any site across the island—no matter how remote!
The system will also provide new education opportunities in our schools. The equipment, along with a silent, solar-powered generator, is currently en route and scheduled to be delivered to the island by UNHAS helicopter in late April.
Christ-Centered Ethos
It is not surprising that the work we do—and how we do it—among the people of La Gonave has been, in and of itself, a testimony to the power and goodness of God. This is on purpose.
“In all we do (in governance and strategic planning, in how we relate to people, and in our work on the ground in Haiti), our desire is that the love of God, in Jesus, will shine brightly for all to see and that people will be drawn toward a personal relationship with Him.”
— starfysh.org – page 2
We are not surprised, then, that in 2024, over 100 people were drawn to faith in Christ as a direct result of our presence and work.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU
I’m continually amazed at how well our work goes on, despite the incredible challenges. I credit God. I often hear from folks who tell me they pray often for Starfysh and the people of La Gonave.
Thank you, thank you. Don’t stop!
I am convinced of the power of your prayers lifted up on our behalf.
And to you who give financially—thank you, thank you. Don’t stop!
I wish you could see the on-the-ground impact you’re having. Very soon, we’ll be able to show you, in real time, when our mobile Starlink sees action.
We’re also praying for the day to come when it’s safe once again to host visiting guests who can participate hands-on with us!
If you are particularly drawn to a certain project and would like to discuss how you might financially be able to make that happen, please contact us. We would love to hear from you!
🌱 Want to see what’s ahead?
Check out our 2025 projects and opportunities to make a difference.
📬 Have questions or want to talk about a project you’re passionate about?
Contact us here—we’d love to hear from you!
📖 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
— Isaiah 43:19
🏌️ 2025 Starfysh Golf Classic
Swing for a Cause
📅 Monday, July 28, 2025
📍 Stonewater Country Club – Caledonia, MI
Foursome Package – $600
✔️ 18 holes of Scramble Golf
✔️ Lunch & Dinner Included
✔️ Auction & Prizes
✔️ On-Course Contests
🏆 Sponsorships Available!
Promote Your Business & Make an Impact
Your sponsorship provides business exposure while funding education, community health, and agriculture development on the island of La Gonave, Haiti.
📢 Sponsors receive prominent signage and verbal recognition throughout the day.
All proceeds go toward Starfysh’s nonprofit mission in Haiti.
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🥪 Lunch Sponsor – $2,000
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🍽️ Dinner Sponsor – $2,000
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🥤 Refreshment Sponsor – $2,000
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🚩 Hole Sponsors – $200
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⭐ Customized Sponsorships Available
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