Food, Water, Exams, Supplies Cap-Haitien Haiti, and Thanksgiving

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Hello, Everyone!

Here's our news about the food, water, and supplies on this day of Thanksgiving in the USA. In a few short weeks it will be Christmas, the students will have written their exams, and the web comic will have posted its final pages. A busy time for us all!

Web Comic
To Daniel, thanks and congratulations on your wonderful web comic www.starthrowerinhaiti.com.

For those of you who haven't had a chance to read it, do try to find the time, and feel free to post a comment to Dan and pass on the link to friends, colleagues and family.

Dan is not only receiving positive peer reviews on his amazing talent, but also educating people about life in Haiti and raising funds for our students in post-secondary.
 
Food, Water, Proba
Auguste, our director of education, writes that many students in both Sen Rafayel and Cap-Haitien have malaria, and that hunger is again a major problem.

Although we really don't have funds for rice, beans, oil and charcoal, we are doing what we can to help feed these kids:

Thanks to Mme Cindy who has been sending us protein powder, we have begun distributing it in zip lock bags, along with plastic glasses and spoons.

Normally we distribute a container of our own home made peanut butter mixed with protein powder (Proba).

However, we do not have any jars (bokal yo) in which to put the Proba mixture, so we are doing the next best thing by distributing the powder, spoons and glasses.

We are distributing potable water daily, as well as distributing peanuts and hard boiled eggs, which Carmene prepares Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Exams, Students Updates
Exams will be taking place over the next couple of weeks so study space at Lakay is at a premium. We hope to have an update on all our post secondary students at the Christmas break in a few weeks.

Marlene, our student in Santiago, Dominican Republic, was in hospital with a severe infection, so she missed a week of classes. Now she is being treated for dental infections. Hopefully she is able to find better dental care than we have in Cap-Haitien.

Auguste has wired extra funds to cover these unexpected expenses. However, she is still alone, and ill in a strange country.

Supplies, Brailler, etc.

Some supplies are arriving at the centre in Cap-Haitien. Boxes from Pennsylvania have arrived, as have the back packs Daniel sent in July.

We are still waiting for Kayla's supplies as well as the house supplies I sent in September (this post).

Communication to and within Haiti continues to be a challenge. Claudy and Auguste have been attempting to contact our blind student, Guilene, to find out how the machines provided by Don and the folks at the PA Lions club are holding up.

As Guilene is back at school in Potoprens (Port-au-Prince) and we have no address, phone number, school name, it will probably be Christmas break before we have news. I'll let you know as soon as I hear from her.

Thank You!
Thanks again to the folks on the UN committee in Boulder, Colorado! The fund raiser which I attended in September has reaped more benefits, so our potable water program is in very good shape.

Thanks again to Mme Cindy for all the support from her and her 'helpers'.

Thanks, too, to Teena in Australia, who is also raising funds through her artful scarves!

On a Personal Note
On Nov. 11 my wonderful, courageous, high spirited mother, Betty Anderson, died of post op complications after emergency surgery.

Unfortunately I have been experiencing post op complications myself and had landed back in hospital the day she died. I was unable to travel to the funeral, but had spoken with her daily.

My sister who was so instrumental in my air lift to Canada from Haiti last fall, once again guided the family through another life changing transition. Thanks, Boo! You are the best!

Thanks so much to all who sent emails and cards, or phoned. This journey with the destructive E coli has again challenged me physically. Although the reversal has been successful so far, my doctor says he'll review my condition in about 6 months, and that one more surgery will be necessary.

I will be able to return to Cap-Haitien before then, although the current complications are slowing recovery.

Wishing  our friends in the States a joyful Thanksgiving!

Beni-w Sharon
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Starthrower in Haiti Webcomic Fundraiser For Education Program Launched

Starthrower Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of a unique fundraiser to raise funds for the Education Program in Haiti.

Starthrower in Haiti is a web comic, an online version of a graphic novel, created by Dan Lafrance that tells in picture form the story of Starthrower Foundation and Sharon Gaskell's work in Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel, Haiti, to sponsor Haitian youth in school.

Begin with the Starthrower in Haiti Welcome page  and the Prologue, which tells the story of Loren Eiseley's The Starthrower in picture form. Follow the Next links to read the full story. The story of daily life in Haiti begins with Home Visits. Use the Next or Previous buttons to read ahead or go back in the story.

New Pages
New pages will be posted Tuesdays and Thursdays from now until Christmas. You can use the Email sign up box on the web comic site to have new pages delivered to your inbox as they are posted. This is done automatically, so your email is not divulged to anyone.

Backgrounder Starthrower in Haiti Webcomic
Dan Lafrance is a Toronto, Canada-based professional storyboard artist who has been working in animation for more than 24 years. Last March, Daniel contacted Starthrower Foundation with his unique fundraising idea to tell its story in a graphic novel format.

Daniel wanted to reach a wider audience and a totally different demographic to tell the story of life in Haiti, and to raise funds to help our students get an education.

After months of meetings and phone and email discussions with Sharon to make sure the graphic novel portrayed Starthrower Foundation as accurately as possible, Daniel began drawing his wonderful pictures.

He enlisted the help of Cassi Fuertez, a talented colorist, for the prologue and the webcomic banner.

How Webcomics Work

The practical business-minded will be asking, "How do webcomics raise funds?" In the webcomic community, creators are shown appreciation by the inclusion of a Tip Jar - a Donate button on the comic pages.

Why not have the webcomic Tip Jar/ Donate button go directly to Starthrower Foundation's Canada Helps page, Dan thought, so all tips would go directly to the Education and Food Distribution programs.

The donate link is on the web comic site, and at the bottom of the web comic email updates.

More Than a Fundraiser

But Starthrower in Haiti is much more than a fundraiser in novel format with lovely images: It is also a fantastic resource for educators everywhere who are looking for ways to teach units about Haiti, charities, and social justice.

If you are a teacher, or know someone who is, send them the link to the web comic. The graphic novel format is appropriate for all ages, and many levels of reading skills.

How You Can Help Raise Awareness

If you enjoy the web comic and appreciate the incredible amount of time and work that has gone into its creation and development, then help spread the word.

Send the web comic link to your contacts that would enjoy reading about life in Haiti. Post the link on your Facebook status and your Twitter feeds and MySpace pages.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Starthrower in Haiti speaks volumes. And though the web comic is scheduled at this time to run for a few short months, the content is evergreen and will be an ongoing, online global resource.

What Next?

Daniel is currently looking for ways to publish Starthrower in Haiti in print form. If you can help, please contact him through the web comic site.

To Daniel and all who supported this project, a big Thank You from Starthrower Foundation!

As much as fundraisers are urgently needed to keep our university students in school after Christmas, and as urgently as funds are needed to re-establish the Food Distribution program, this web comic will be invaluable for helping others understand life in Haiti, and the difference between Charity and Social Justice.

Like It? Comments?

Please take a minute to leave a comment on the web comic site, to show your support or to ask questions or make a comment about a particular issue.

Start Reading

Here's the Welcome Page. Working together, we CAN make a difference!

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Trip to Santiago DR, Exam Results Due, and Obits

Hello Everyone,

Still no electricity (since first week of July) but finally got on internet server with solar power. Hot and humid -- much thunder, no rain relief.

Last week was a time of sorrow for us . . .
Two of the young people on our waiting list died. Claudy (student and staff member in Sen Rafayel) lost two family members on the same day. Tayo, his 14 year old cousin, had been living with Claudy and his mom since both his parents died in 2006. Claudy had been scraping together the money out of his meager salary to help Tayo complete primary school, and he was waiting for exam results to start high school.

Tayo was very hungry, so he climbed a mango tree to shake loose the last stubborn pieces of fruit. He fell and was dead upon arrival at local clinic. Claudy's uncle died the same day. He was 30 years old, married with 2 small children. He had been bitten by an unidentified insect (ti bet); his body swelled to twice normal, and he died in great pain. There was no coffin or clothing large enough to accommodate. Claudy is now responsible for paying for both funerals.

Paulaine is one of our girls studying sewing (kouti). Her sister, Marie-Djazmeen was 17. She died of unidentified illness. The symptoms were swollen feet and difficulty breathing. She was also waiting for state results to begin high school. She wanted to be a nurse.

It was also a week of adventure.
Elorge and Marlene travelled to Santiago, Dominican Republic to to write entrance exams to study medicine. They had a day of written exams and a day of orals, to judge Spanish fluency. Both were accepted and arrived back here yesterday exhausted and elated.

They were in awe at the size of the university campus and at the equipment in the lab for students. University regulations now require a transcript for every year of high school so they immediately headed for Sen Rafayel to acquire the necessary papers. Then it's back to Santiago for final registration and find reasonable housing.

Exam Results Due
State results for Philo and Rheto are being posted today so we should know by this weekend who passed (admi), who has to write again in August (ajoune) and who will repeat the year (elimine).

Special thanks to Jackie McV. and all her guests in Ontario, who celebrated Jackie's 60th birthday with a combined party and fundraiser for Starthrower. What a great idea! Thanks one and all!

Auguste has added a new installment to the Haiti Culture page.

Plis pi ta (more later)

Sharon

PS
If anyone is fundraising for tuition and school supplies for the end of August, please let us know.

Ontario Canada Volunteers Needed To Raise Funds

Two Starthrower-benefitting fundraisers (Ontario, Canada) can use your help -- one by attending and having a good time; the other by working at a hockey arena.

Starthrower Foundation supporters in Southern Ontario Canada may be interested in attending a fundraiser in the Kitchener-Waterloo area this Friday night. See ABS blog site for details and ticket information.

The second initiative is in London, Ontario: Anyone who has some time to donate to help raise funds can contact board member Dave Materiuk, London, On, who writes:

Starthrower Foundation is looking for a few people who can commit a few nights (dates below) from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in March/February who can sell food and drinks at the JLC concession stands during Knights hockey games. A portion of the food sales will go to Starthrower Foundation.

• February 12, 2008 Orientation
• February 24, 2008 6pm Knights hockey game
  
• March 8, 2008 2pm and 7:30pm Monster Jam
• March 9, 2008 2pm Monster Jam
• March 20, 2008 7:30pm Foo Fighters

There will be more nights available to us during playoffs. Please let me know ASAP! Thanks, Dave (email via form)

Francilien's Successful Half Marathon in London

Hello Everyone,

Here's a message from Francilien to let us know that he successfully completed his fundraising half marathon in London on April 21. Thanks to all who supported his efforts!

Karen

"Thank you for your update regarding Starthrower Foundation development in Haiti. I am sorry to hear about the accident of this young boy. I hope they take good care of him in the hospital and hope he recovers from his injuries.

I would like to inform you about the half-marathon I organised from the 21st of this month in order to raise funds for the youth in Haiti. I am pleased to say it went well and I was the only one who ran it from Crystal Palace Park to Battersea Park in London. I had some few sponsors and some few spectators who were willing to pass me some water while I was running. I thank them for that.

I started at 7 o'clock in the morning and in total it took me two hours to complete it. It was pretty hot and it was a good day. I am pleased I achieved it and at the moment I am collecting the funds from my sponsors. Therefore, pretty soon I will be able to forward some funds to Starthrower Foundation for the Haitian youth. A big thank you to everybody who pray for me and support me spiritually. All praises are for God. We are only the vessels He uses."

Thank you once more.

Francilien