NEWS FROM STARFYSH.ORG – WINTER 2023
STARFYSH IS WORKING TO BRING HOLISTIC, SUSTAINABLE TRANSFORMATION TO THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI
End-of-Year President’s Report
Dear Friends,
It’s no secret that these are very dark days in Haiti’s history as a free nation. Food is scarce. Roads are controlled by gangs posing threats at every turn. Robberies, murders, and kidnappings for ransom remain commonplace. Seaports are backed up with unreleased containers. Airline options for traveling in and out have been cut dramatically, as well as air travel options within the country.
“We’re just tired, you know?” a friend confided. I knew. I could tell.
This is our backdrop. I just returned from visiting our work in Haiti (my only way of getting out to the island was on a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter), and I will tell you that, although Starfysh’s work is among the rural poor, away from the mayhem on the mainland, our work is definitely impacted.
- Food prices have skyrocketed, leading to higher costs for meals at our schools.
- Corruption and backlogs at the seaports are holding up the shipping of needed supplies.
- Hunger remains a heartbreaking issue, with people literally starving to death.
The overall level of food insecurity for the island of La Gonave (about 100,000 people) is categorized as an “emergency.” Any worsening would move them into the “famine” category.
Well-meaning people sometimes ask why we continue to do this when it’s so hard. My answer: because we feel God has placed us here “for such a time as this.” Until He releases us from this calling, we must stay, loving and ministering to the people of La Gonave who had no choice in where they were born. The way I see it, I had no choice in where I was born either.
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
— Psalm 16:6
Thank you for your support and partnership, past and future! We can’t do it without you.
– Steve Edmondson, President, Starfysh
2022-23 Financials
- Income: $412,114.90
- Administration & Fundraising: $25,663.36 (6.2%)
Starfysh’s fully disclosed financial information can be viewed at:
- IRS.gov (EIN-1976856)
- guidestar.org
Summer Teachers Conference
Despite challenges in our Stateside staff being able to attend, our annual teacher training conference was held in August. Sixty-two teachers from our six schools traveled from villages across the island to Anse-a-Galets for five days of learning, encouragement, and camaraderie. The week included breakout sessions in the Life Garden, and teachers shared that this is a big highlight of their year.
Starfysh’s Schools
- College Noel Elmira – Anse-a-Galets (150 students, Director: Genel No)
- Ecole des Affranchis – Sous Saline (89 students, Director: Foglas Dessins)
- Merveilleuse Lumière de Makochon – Makochon (120 students, Director: Joppe Juillet)
- Ecole d’Application Pédagogique – Nan Mango (160 students, Director: Yrphise Bien Aime)
- Ecole Pikamebe – Pikamebe (135 students, Director: Gerard Petit Frère)
- Ecole Source du Savoir – Trouligene (120 students, Director: Jean Doubt Occeas)
- Lekol Angle (English as 2nd Language) – Anse-a-Galets (36 students, Director: Charles Eveny)
New School for Pikamebe
One of the highlights of 2023 was the completion of a new 2-building, 8-classroom school in the remote village of Pikamebe. Despite its difficult mountain roads, we finally handed over the keys to Pastor Gerard in March—built by Haitian hands!
Supplies Staged for Shipment
Closed ports in Haiti have delayed valuable supplies in Michigan, including classroom desks, chairs, tables, and even a pickup truck. We currently have three 40-foot containers of supplies waiting to ship. Once ports reopen, we will need help packing containers—please reach out if you can assist!
Agriculture
Malnutrition and hunger remain critical problems in Haiti. Half of the country suffers from hunger categorized as either “crisis” or “emergency.”
- In 2023, 135 pounds of vegetable seeds and 53,700 seedlings were distributed to farmers.
- A new one-acre moringa grove was planted and is already harvest-ready.
- Three farmer conferences were held to increase agricultural skills.
Our 2024 goal is to double the production and distribution of seedlings and seeds, and ramp up moringa production.
Bible Resources
Creole-language resources teaching Biblical truths are scarce. Creole Bibles cost $25 + shipping, but paperback Creole New Testaments cost just $4. We also distribute 101 Favorite Stories of the Bible for $9, which are popular among both children and adults. If you’d like to help support this ministry, attach a note with your gift!
Latrines
There is a direct relationship between open defecation and waterborne illness. In rural areas like La Gonave, only 10% of homes have latrines.
- In the past year, 126 household latrines were built (2 per week).
- Our 2024 target is 500 new latrines (more than one per day).
Five villages that have achieved 100% latrine use are seeing virtually no diarrheal illness!
$30 covers the cost of cement to build one family latrine.
Clean Water
In 2023, 196 families received bio-sand water filters. However, our supply of filters is now exhausted due to port closures.
6757 Cascade Rd. SE #207, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
To learn more about our work or support our projects, visit starfysh.org.
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