Christmas in Haiti Fundraisers Thanks!

Bonjou tout moun / Hello Everyone!

To our fundraisers and Christmas box donors, to all of you who have supported Starthrower Foundation this year, and to Starthrowers true as well as new, a huge Thank You!

Sarnia, Ontario:
Congratulations and many happy returns to Mme Marjorie on her 80th birthday! Instead of gifts at the open house held in her honour, Marjorie had requested donations to the students in the nursing program.

Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Marj! (Earlier this year, Marjorie went parasailing in the Dominican Republic. I want to be just like her when I grow up!)

Orangeville Ontario:
Thanks to Cindy S. who organized the Acheson's fundraiser last week. Cindy would be the first to say that she did not do it singlehandedly. Thanks, too, to Martina, Cindy's business partner who shared the load.

Thank you, too, to everyone who helped make this fundraiser a success!

• Dianne and her staff at Acheson's: You made us feel so welcome. It was a great event!
• Harmony Market and Mochaberry coffee shop, who supplied beverages.
• Angela who designed and supplied tickets for the draw (which will take place Dec. 23rd).
• Ste. Anne's Spa for donating spa packages.
• Special thanks to Scotiabank for committing to match funds raised by Acheson's.

Pennsylvania:
Mme Cindy and her elves have been busy preparing Christmas boxes for each of our kids, and the boxes are now on their way to Haiti. As well, they've sent a donation to purchase rice, beans and oil for Christmas distribution.

Although I won't be there this Christmas to distribute them, I know from other years how much these boxes and foods are appreciated, and the joy with which they are received. To all who participated in this huge undertaking, my gratitude and that of our staff and students!

Web Comic for High School Sponsorship:
Thanks to Daniel Lafrance, Toronto, ON, for his continuing work on the web comic to raise funds to sponsor High school students in Haiti. The web comic continues to receive positive critical reviews. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to read it yet (see www.starthrowerinhaiti.com), perhaps you'll have some time over the Holidays.

The latest pages tell Auguste's story. Auguste writes that he is very pleased with how Daniel has portrayed his situation, and that the web comic is vreman bel (very beautiful).

Thanks, too, to those who have donated (often anonymously) through the CanadaHelps.org link on the webcomic!

Sponsorship Thanks:
To each of you, thank you for supporting the amazing young people we sponsor in Haiti. The Christmas break approaches and the first trimeste is coming to a close. Some students completed exams last Friday and others will finish this week. Then we will all wait for the results. In the interim, there will be Christmas boxes and the fet of Jou endepandans (celebrations for January 1 Haiti Independance Day).

As is the case with first year post secondary students everywhere, not all of Starthrower's students will 'make the cut' at Christmas. Once we have the exam results, we will know who will be going on to the next term, and who will be looking to other endeavors.

Other News:
Sad news: Charlie Brown, our fierce guard cat, died last weekend. His unrelenting 'critter control' services will be sorely missed.

I continue to recover after surgery, though a bad bout of flu kept me close to home for a week or so. Thanks to all who lent a hand during this time.

In 2010, Starthrower will likely face new challenges as well as the all-too-familiar old ones. But as in the past, so in the future: Working together, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of our young adults in Haiti!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!
..

..

Alapwochen
Beni-w
Sharon

Haiti News Students, Airline, Shipping, Schools, Hydro, Heat, New Campaigns

Bonjou tout moun / Hello Everyone!

I am back, safe and sound from Cap-Haitien. The trip was all too brief but certainly very busy and rewarding! Here's some news about shipping, new airline to Haiti, and pictures of some of the post-secondary students and life in Lakay.

Student News - Good News
Auguste and I reviewed the finances, and requests for aid from students, and then took Jackson's taxi to town to do the banking. As always, a challenge in Haiti, but they're all sorted out now.

Nursing School Students: Wisly, Alland, (Sharon) Brunie, Gaby

Looking over the papers from the School of Nursing, plus a phone call for clarification, we found out that what appeared to be a yearly fee of $200USD per student for dormitory and cafeteria use is actually turned out to be a monthly fee. Yikes!

Vincent, Auguste, Sharon, Cap-Haitien Haiti

Vincent, our third year agriculture student at the university in Limbe, and Plenitude had both received the demi bous (half bursary) they applied for. Vincent 's dormitory fees were waived for the year.

Plenitude demi-bous for the university in Port-Au-Prince to begin a 5 year program in master electronics. There is no dorm or cafeteria there, but a small allowance from Starthrower will allow him share a ti kay (house) and to eat daily.

Casimyr, Sharon, Osmann ~ Teacher's College Haiti

Casimyr and Osman were both admitted to the 5 year Teacher's College program. We provide a small stipend to assist with room and board. This is a new state university highly recommended by one of the nuns currently in second year. A phone call from Rosemary yesterday provided new information: There is free bus service for these students to the school. It is a fair distance outside of Cap-Haitien.

Micheline ~ Year 2 Medical Technology

Micheline successfully entered the second year of the Medical Technology program. It was so good to talk to all of them, and catch up and celebrate their successes with them.

Rosenie, back from her trip to France, also successfully entered the second year Kindergarten teacher training. Talking with Rosenie was a riot! I didn't have to say a word. All she could talk about was the trip to France and every new experience from airplane rides to the food to the Eiffel Tower, to meeting young people from all around the world to the challenge of many languages!

I am so proud of our staff and students. In my absence everything continued. As there were enough funds in the bank to get everyone enrolled in to school and cover tuition until Christmas, Auguste and I agreed to go moso pa moso (pay a portion at a time) and leave it to the universe to provide for January to June. This is a strategy we have employed many times.

Haiti Shipping
On the way to Haiti, in Ft. Lauderdale, I purchased, packaged and delivered supplies needed in Haiti and took the boxes to CAS Xpress (the new shipping company), who assured me that the supplies would arrive in Cap-Haitien via Port-au-Prince on October 20. We shall see. We are still waiting for boxes sent in June and August.

Florida Coastal Airlines
Since Lynx Airlines, the usual carrier, has ceased operations, Marjorie, who travelled with me from Ft Lauderdale, and I flew to Cap-Haitien on the new Florida Coastal Airline (see Lynx site for details). The plane had 31 seats and a lavatory, though no running water. WOW! After a smooth flight, then the usual dance through customs, we were finally out the door to meet Auguste and Jackson, our usual taxi driver. I was HOME. I would have kissed the ground except that it is too difficult for me to get down and up!

Lakay Fondasyon - Our Home in Haiti
In the taxi to the house (kay la), we all talked non-stop as we caught up with each other's news. Then to greet me at the house were Carmene, who takes care of the house and cooking, Joceline, Jack, Wisky and Diuegrand. It was so very good to see them all.

And the garden! How it had grown. The house was spic and span, cleaned by Joceline and Carmene. Because my surgical dressings must be changed daily, the house had to be as clean as it possibly could. It also smelled heavenly!

Carmene had cooked us dinner, her variation of traditional Haitian foods -- Mayi Moulen (a cornmeal mush cooked with kidney beans, coconut, peppers, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese) and Militon Gratine, a very mild pepper-like vegetable. A real treat! Sister Rosemary and long time driver, Jud, joined us for a catch-up visit. So much has happened while I have been in Canada.

Hydro and Heat
Once again, I woke with the roosters at 4 a.m. and, miracle of miracles, we had electricity! Hydro seemed to work during the night for a few hours, so that made it the ideal time to do my dressing change. It was also a little cooler then. When we arrived, Sister Rosemary reported that the temperature in the courtyard at the convent was 47 C (117 F) in the shade. This is very unusual heat for the end of September; It was more like July.

Dr. Coq, Sister Rosemary, Dr. Jerome, Sharon

On Sunday just before Marjorie and I left to go to the airport for our flight from Cap-Haitien to Ft Lauderdale, in addition to Rosemary, Dr. Coq (surgeon) and Dr. Jerome (Internal Medicine) came to our kay la. They had heard on the street that I was back in town, and they wanted to say hello and take some pictures of 'the team'. My gratitude to them is boundless: They literally saved my life!

I'm so glad I took the time and took the chance to make the trip to Haiti. Seeing how well the centre is running, and knowing for sure how the staff and students are doing will help me through my upcoming surgery and recovery.

Two New Campaigns for school, food program
Although Starthrower Foundation welcomes individual sponsors for our students, we decided that 'many hands make light work'. That is, many small donations soon add up! The two new campaigns will be ongoing, and run in tandem.

We need to raise $20,000 USD to cover costs for our post secondary students, and a similar amount to restart our Food Distribution Program for secondary school students. This week we received $660.00 USD. Thank you so much! We are on our way!

It bears mentioning that when one donates through Canada Helps, it is not necessary to register or set up an account (see information in right menu). And already, several fundraisers are being planned in Ontario. Working together, we CAN make a difference!

Thanks, Everyone, for your continued support.

And Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Beni tout moun
Sharon

PS If you are planning a fundraiser, do let us know and we can post details on the web site.

PPS Rose Youdeline's sewing machine arrived last week. It has been assembled and will be delivered up the mountain to her in Sen Rafayel this week. See photo on this post.

Travel to Haiti ~ American Visitors Bring Rice, Oil to Lakay Fondasyon in Cap-Haitien

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Much excitement this week in Haiti, as long-awaited visitors from America -- Starthrowers Mme Cindy and Anna, on their first trip to Haiti -- traveled by plane and bus to meet the staff and students at Lakay Fondasyon in Cap-Haitien!

Welcome Sign at Lakay Fondasyon

Staff and students had prepared a Welcome sign to greet Mme Cindy and Anna. Until now, the stafff had known of Mme Cindy and her friends in Pennsylvania by name only, and through the parcels they send several times each year. How exciting to put a face to a name, and to finally meet one another!

How to Carry a Sack of Rice in Haiti

And they came bearing gifts! Along with good wishes and clothing, Mme Cindy and Anna, with one of their Haitian friends (yellow shirt), brought some rice and oil they'd bought in Cap-Haitien for Starthrower staff and students. In the foto, Cindy's friend shows Anna how to balance and carry a sack of rice (diri) on her head.

Starthrower Students at Lakay Fondasyon Cap-Haitien

Several of the Starfish sported new Tshirts, which I believe were part of the gifts brought from Pennsylvania. At the Lakay, we keep an assortment of games and balls on hand for the kids to use. You may notice that socks and running shoes are lacking. Flip Flops (those flat, plastic sandals) are fine for walking around, but not suitable for playing soccer.

Mme Cindy, Micheline, Anna at Starthrower Lakay

No one was more excited to finally meet in person than were Anna and Micheline, one of Stathrower's senior staff on the Text Book Refurbishing Program. The girls have been emailing for almost two years (thanks to donors who arranged for internet access and computers at Lakay Fondasyon!), ever since Anna sent Micheline a Christmas gift box as part of Mme Cindy's holiday initiative that year.

Starfish Micheline, Anna, (Friend), Mme Cindy

This visit gave them a chance to meet one another and for the American visitors to see first hand Life in Haiti. Anna and Cindy will be back in the U.S.A. this week, and I look forward to talking to them about their trip.

For those of you interested in travel routes to Cap-Haitien, Haiti, Mme Cindy flew to Santiago, Dominican Republic, then traveled by road via Caribe Tours bus from Santiago DR to Cap-Haitien (Caribe Bus to Haiti Info) This is the same bus service that our two students Elorge and Marlene take to get to medical school in Santiago.

Mme Cindy's trip coincided with high school graduation in Haiti, and she was on hand to congratulate our new grad Gaby! (see update and photo here)

On another but related topic . . .

TS Ana map National Hurricane Center

Travel to Haiti at this time of year (late August, September) is often difficult as this is the time when tropical storms and hurricanes usually appear (see post last September - Hurricane Ike). For current information on tropical storms in the Caribbean see National Hurricane Center updates. Today, Ana and Bill, the first storms of the season, are south east of Hispaniola, Haiti's island.

Texts, Supplies, France trip, University Sponsors, News from Haiti

Bonjou tout moun / Hello Everyone!

Auguste has sent news of what's happening at Lakay Fondasyon, our centre in Cap-Haitien.

Here's the news about the text book program, trip to France, school supplies status, and more high school grads who need sponsors for university.

Supplies In, Backpacks Needed SAP
Two boxes of supplies (school shoes, dental supplies and meds) sent by Mme Cindy in Pennsylvania arrived yesterday (Big Thank You!). We'll distribute them with backpacks to our students. But, we need more (new, please) backpacks. Last September, we used every one we had in stock to replace the ones that students lost in the storms and flooding.

France Trip, Text Book Program
Rosenie leaves for France on Saturday (August 1) to attend the Peace Conference with Sister Rosemary and Nadege. When she gets back to Cap-Haitien, she will resume supervision of the text book repair program, and distribute texts according to students' school book lists, as well as stock students' backpacks with supplies. In September, Rosenie starts classes for her second year of teacher training for Kindergarten (Jardin des Enfants).

While Rosenie is in France, Marlene will manage (degaje) the Text Book restoring/distributing program, then return to Santiago, Dominican Republic, to start classes for her second year of university. Both girls are fortunate to have sponsors for post-secondary studies.

Working on the text book program with Rosenie and Marlene are Christamene, Sherline, Edwina, Modeline and Camios. Claudy has been collecting books in Sen Rafayel and will come down the mountain this weekend to deliver them.

As the volume of work grows, so will the staff: New additions are Micheline, Marie-Modeline and Marie Vonette, who is coming from Sen Rafayel to stay with friends in Cap-Haitien while she is working.

Although Jak is working night security at Lakay Fondasyon while I am in Canada, he still has to do our regular maintenance jobs. On Monday mornings, after being up all night, he stays to set up the weekly work schedule for Dieugrand, Gaby, Kenston and Stephen. Auguste oversees the work and prepares all salaries.

Sponsors for University
On the last blog I profiled Vincent and Plenitude. We are still looking for sponsors for university for both of them.

This week, I am adding Brunie Gilles (05/09/87) to the list of students needing sponsors for university. Brunie graduated from Philo last year, but she was unsuccessful when applying for the nursing program at the State University. She is anxious to reapply this summer.

Brunie has 3 brothers and 2 sisters (Marie-Vonette, who will work on our book program, is a younger sister). Brunie is one of the first students I met my second trip to Haiti so many years ago. Her father has been dead many years now.

Her mom, who worked as a seamstress in the village until arthritis set into her hands and back, and her vision deteriorated, maintains a small garden that does not produce enough food to feed the family. There is no money to pay for school fees. The younger children have never attended school, as the free primary school begun by Sister Cecilia, Sisters of St. Joseph, no longer exists.

Help Break the Cycle of Poverty
Unless change takes place, and these grads have access to higher education, they are destined to live the lives of their parents -- brief and filled with despair. I have been struggling with the reality that a sizable amount of money is needed to support the Haitian youth who have requested Starthrower Foundation sponsorship in post secondary institutions.

Our young people have worked so hard to get through the grueling state exams at the Philo level. Several have been sitting since last year, waiting and hoping -- Plenitude, Brunie, Alland, Wisly, Casimyr, Osman, Line, Johnley.

Vincent (entering 3rd year, and at the top of his class) is waiting to find out if he will be able to finish his Agriculture program. Ten more young adults are waiting results from state finals and all have expressed a desire to go on in post secondary.

Only Game in Town
We know that much of the time, these students have been ill and hungry. Having sponsored them through high school graduation, is Starthrower still 'responsible' for their continuing education? These young people are not just citizens of Haiti -- they are citizens of the world. Right now we are the 'only game in town'. There is just no other option (possibilite).

Starthrower Mission
"The mission of Starthrower Foundation is to raise and distribute funds for the education of youth in San Rafayel and Cap-Haiten, Haiti, who are unable to support themselves and/or who have no family support. All levels of education (elementary, secondary, university, apprenticeships) are worthwhile."

If Starthrower cannot sponsor these young people, and they are not able to attend university or college, then, if they are very lucky, with their high school diploma, they might be able to get a minimum wage paying job ($1.75 USD per DAY).

Sadly, it is not uncommon for daily wages to be paid in kind (crusts of bread, etc) instead of hard currency. However, a minimum wage job, though better than being unemployed, will keep these young graduates mired in the poverty - malnutrition - illness continuum on which they have lived all their lives.

Wages in Haiti
Currently, a Haiti parliamentary bill is on the table to increase the minimum wage to $5 USD per DAY. Given the cost of living (price of rice, beans, oil), those lucky enough to have jobs and receive a salary would still not have a living wage.

In Haiti, staples cost more than they do in the U.S. and Canada. In Canada, the new minimum wage is $10 CAD per HOUR; in the U.S. it's $7.25/HOUR.

Having been privileged to live and work with these young people, I know first hand that they truly are resources and investments in a brighter, healthier future for Haiti as well as themselves. Post secondary training would make the BEST use of the talents, education and experiences of these young people. An educated citizenry is the best hope for Haiti.

To those who have supported and continue to support them, I can only say Thank You, again, from the bottom of my heart.

To those who ask What can I do? Know that every dollar makes a difference when it joins with other dollars.

Working together, One at a time . . .

Thank you for keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.

Kenbe pa lage
Sharon

Haiti Post-Secondary, Summer Travel to Cap-Haitien a Possibility

Hi Everyone!
Finally, I am able to type again! Hard enough to explain in English what's been happening.

Just imagine how much harder to explain in Kreyol, to Auguste, our Director of Education in Haiti.

If anyone has been waiting for an email from me, here's what's been going on the past two weeks.

After being diagnosed a few weeks ago with multiple infections in the surgical wound, I spent the last two weeks quite incapacitated; first with an IV line in each hand, then with an improperly installed PICC line (see Wiki def.) in the bend of my right arm. The pain from the PICC was as miserable as the side effects of the IV meds!

Simple hygiene routines that you usually take for granted became chores: Flossing teeth is impossible, brushing slightly less so. As for washing your hair, well, forget that! Especially since my left wrist, broken and improperly set in Cap-Haitien a few years ago, wasn't exactly up to the job of taking over all chores.

On Friday, the PICC was finally removed, with much difficulty. (OUCH!) Thank goodness my amazing nurses Leslie and Jenna came as a team for the job. They are truly amazing. Thanks also Pam, Peter and Elise who did night duty with the IV bags. When this is all said and done, I will have so many new life experiences from which to draw nuggets of wisdom!

Speaking of new experiences, we have a list of young people who would dearly love to continue their education after struggling through seven years of high school. I have had a lot of time to reflect on the changing mandate of Starthrower Foundation. Originally, we hoped to help these Haitian youth graduate high school. But now, as they graduate, I can see that some of these young people still need help and support to get beyond secondary education.

Educated citizenry is vital to the growth of Haiti. So although sponsoring youth in post-secondary studies is new territory for us, we are all up to the challenge. Even something as simple as their moving from small villages to large cities is daunting, but I am confident our young people can handle this and other challenges. Our current university students had wanted to go to summer school but we had no funds left in the budget. They will start again in August.

Here are two young men who we feel can use this ongoing support. As post secondary is expensive ($4500 USD-$5000 USD/year, which includes room and board and travel twice a year to home base), we don't expect each student will have a single sponsor.

Perhaps a group of people, a community, a club or association can work together to sponsor them. Just let us know where you would like the support directed. We don't expect sponsors to commit beyond a year. No one understands better than I how quickly life circumstances can change.

Students in Post- Secondary

Plenitude Jean - Baptiste (14/09/84)
You may remember Plenitude (nickname Plenito) from mentions in earlier blog posts.

His dad had died just 2 days before he got his final results last year. He has one brother and one sister living, and neither has ever gone to school.

Plenito wants to study genie electronique (master electrician), which is a 5 year program offered at both state and private universities located in Port-au-Prince. He didn't go to school last year because we were unable to raise enough money to support him.

We are currently sending him to the PREFAC course in Cap-Haitiien to brush up his skills so he can rewrite the entrance exams he took last year. Although he was successful for the private university, he must take the entrance exams again.

Vincent Robert (22/03/84) is entering his third year of a 5 year program, studying agronomie (Agriculture). Vincent's sponsor was unable to continue after the first year and although we have supported him through the last year, we don't have enough in the budget to cover his continuing in the program.

Thanks to all of you with the creativity and skills to use other media and means (YouTube - Michael, Webcomic-Daniel, eBay- Maureen) to support Starthrower Foundation. If I've overlooked anyone, I apologize, and please remind me!

Sister Rosemary emailed me yesterday when she was at Lakay Fondasyon, our house in Haiti. She said that the internet and the phones at the convent are still not working, but that our 'little cyber cafe' at Lakay Fondasyon is chugging along.

She said that she had read the email that I had sent to Auguste, so she now knows why I have not been in touch. She also wrote that as well as the two students already mentioned above, three more -- Peterson, Alland and Wisly -- have all requested sponsors for post secondary. I will get details from Auguste and let you know. All we can do is ask on their behalf, but at least this is better than not trying at all.

Thank you for staying with us through this unpredictable time, and thank you for taking these young people into your hearts, and for your ongoing support.

I am missing being in Haiti very much, and I feel the need to go to Cap-Haitein for my mental/spiritual well being, so I am working hard to get fit for travel. I hope to go this summer, even if it's only a short visit just to see how everyone is doing, and to see Mme Cindy when she comes to visit and to reassure to the staff and students that I am indeed coming back at some point.

The picture at the top of the page is of Rosenie, Alex (intern) and me at Lakay Fondasyon last August.

Ala pwochen
Kenbe pa lage
Sharon

Rice and Beans (diri ak pwa) a Cure-all? If Only!

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Salye tout moun (Hello Everyone),

I hope those of you fortunate to have free time are enjoying or did enjoy a restful March break. Activites in Orangeville certainly seemed to slow down last week.

Although I am (for the time being) still grounded, Starthrower continues to function effectively. I spoke with Auguste and Carmine last week. Mme Carmine told me that if I could get her a passport, she would come and cook for me; she is certain that her diri ak pwa (rice and beans) will cure anything!

Auguste assures me that the staff continues to work cheerfully, taking care of all, including our youth, cats, dogs etc. Last night I spoke with Sister Rosemary (Sewoz), who also assures me that we have the best staff in Cap-Haitien. I already knew that. :-)

Our friend and sponsor Mme Marjorie is currently in the Dominican Republic with a team of nurses, organizing and carrying out eyeglass clinics. She took with her 2 new laptop computers, a gift from her for our 2 pre-med students -- Elorge and Marlene -- in Santiago, DR.

These laptops will be of great assistance to these students. Two other students -- Deles and VIncent -- in their second year Agriculture in Limbe are both in need of laptops. As well, Vincent needs a new sponsor (or group of sponsors) to see him through the last 2 years of the program.

Our waiting list contains six high school grads from last year who would like the opportunity for post secondary education. I know this is not wholly within our mandate, but it means so much to these young adults. There will be more graduates this year, as well. These young people, given the opportunity, are the ones who will lay the foundation for change in Haiti. Thanks to all who have and continue to support them and the younger students.

I am out of hospital and once again being supported at home by the amazing visiting nurses from St. Elizabeth health care, and several personal support workers from the Red Cross. What a difference they make to my quality of life!

As Karen reported, the surgery went well. It just wasn't the surgery I had anticipated. As there were still abscesses at the time of my second surgery, surgical time was spent draining and repairing. The colostomy reversal will wait for a third surgery, the date to be determined by the surgeon. I 'll be back at St. Mike's hospital on April 6 for my follow-up appointment.

Once again, thanks to all who phoned and sent cards. Your thoughtfulness and moral support are much appreciated. Who would have thought that E Coli was so destructive?

In the meantime, I am once again regaining strength, being careful to do as little as possible for 6 weeks, and getting comfortable with the miniature size of the netbook laptop I use to stay in touch with staff and Starthroweres. If only my fingers were younger! The keys are so close together. (What a great excuse for the typos I make regardless of keyboard size.)

Take care of each other, and ala pwochen (until the next time)

Beni-w
Sharon

Kreyol-English Update from Haiti - Clothing and Supplies Distributed, Tuition Needed, and a Starfish is Robbed

Hello Everyone,

I received some news from Auguste, who is managing the center in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, so I am sending it along as the Update From Haiti for this week. I translated from Kreyol to English.

Auguste writes:

Good morning, Madam - How is your health today?

Madam Jane came to visit with Father Henry. They're coming back Monday to talk with Sister Rosemary when she will be here.

Dieugrand has a problem. On Monday 26 January, when he arrived home from school, he found the door open. Thieves had broken the lock and stolen the bed, with everything else. Clothes he bought when he worked in the summer -- he lost everything. He is desolate, sad and crying. I tried to give him a little courage but it isn't enough.

I bought oil and distributed food sacks, vitamins, potable water, shoes and clothes 23-26 January. I put clothes on the gallery and let each one choose. This year not everyone could find something. But I send a big thank you to Madam Cindy (Penn). She also wrote a little note in Kreyol.

University in Limbe starts second semester on February 2. [Note: students are required to take courses during the Christmas break. Tuition is separate from regular classes, and these Christmas break courses are mandatory. The kids love to go to school year round.]

I talked with Sister Rosemary and she asked me to send you an email. She is going to the bank to see if sponsor money has arrived for Deles [Course fees for Christmas break were paid out out of general funds.] We don't know what to do about Robert Vincent for the second semester [as we have been unable to find a sponsor which would allow him to finish his second year].

God bless and I'm praying you have good health.
Auguste

For those of you who are learning the language of Haiti, here is the text in Kreyol :

Bonswa, Mme.

Koman sante ou ye jodia?

Mme Jane ak Pe Henry te vini nan kay-la jodia. Li va retounen anko lendi pou-l pale ak SewozDieugrand gen problem. Lendi 26 janvye le li soti lekol li te trouve pot li ouvri yo te kraze kle-a e vole pran malet ou te ba-li ak tout bagay.

Rad, sa li te achte li te di si yon jou li pa gen kob-la li kapab revann yo anko li pedi tout. Li vreman dezole, tris e l'ap kriye. Mwen te ba-li ti kouraj men sa pa sifi.

Mwen te achte lwil e distribiye sak nouriti, multi-vitamin, dlo potab, soulye ak rad yo 23 e 26 janvye. Mwen te mete rad sou galri chak moun te chwazi. Se diferan ane sa-a, mwen pa kontan paske tout moun pa te trouve rad.Men, mwen di yon gran mesi a Mme Cindy, e li te eseye ekri ti let an kreyol.

Universite Limbe ap komanse 2e semes 2 fevriye 09. Semen sa-a se peyman pou 2e semes-la. Mwen te pale ak Sewoz li te di-m konpoze yon email pou-ou. Li va ale nan bank lan pou-l tcheke si sponsor te voye kob-la pou Deles. Nou pa konnen kisa n'ap fe pou Robert, Vincent?

Bondye beni-w e m'ap priye pou gen bonsante.
Auguste

I am scheduled for surgery for the colostomy reversal within the next few weeks. I should be given a definite date this coming week; My surgeon cautioned that surgery dates may be changed if no beds are available. Let's hope I can get a bed. It's been four months since the original surgery in Haiti, and it would be great to be on the final step for recovery.

Blessings,
Sharon

Haiti News - Schools, Sponsor Students, Shipping ~ Winter in Canada and Cap-Haitien

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Hello Everyone,

It's been a long time since the last blog post update. I hope everyone had a good break over the holidays. I am in regular contact with the staff in Cap-Haitien, and I've had some news to pass on to you.

Auguste emails that, following the Christmas break, our young people in both Cap-Haitien and Sen Rafayel started school again on Monday, January 12. He is busy paying second trimeste fees and is expecting the students' first term reports cards and/or bulletins to come in shortly.

Student Sponsors

• Marlene and Elorge, our students attending university in the Dominican Republic, returned to Santiago for classes January 5.
• Deles and Vincent are back in class for the last semester of Year Two at the University in Limbe, Haiti. As you may recall, Vincent's sponsor was unable to continue, and as yet, we do not have a replacement sponsor (See December post and post from last March ). Since Starthrower Foundation can no longer support post-secondary students, he will have to forgo his studies if we are unable to find a new sponsor to support him for 3rd and 4th year.
• Plenitude has returned to Port-au-Prince , again borrowing money to finish his first year in telecommunications study. We also ask again for a sponsor for him.

If you know of any associations, groups or clubs who may want to undertake post-secondary sponsorship, please pass along this message.

Winter in Haiti ~ Vitamin C Needed
Auguste also reports that nearly everyone who comes to Lakay Fondasyon for safe drinking water has winter colds, which are giving rise to eye, ear, throat and chest infections, and that we are nearly out of vitamin C. As we are unable to purchase some necessities, such as Vitamin C, in Haiti, any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

In the past we have been able to provide everyone with enough vitamin C for a daily dose. When food is in short supply, as it is now, we always see an increase in the number of illnesses which in turn prevent school attendance. These illnesses also keeps Auguste busy informing the schools of absenteeism. Also he is once again responsible for handling all student medical referrals and prescription purchases as we were unable to replace Jhennie after she left in May.

Supplies Received via CASCO ~ Thanks!
Thanks to Cindy and Maureen in the States for supplies received. CASCO is again functioning with about a 4 to 5 week wait time for warehouse (Ft. Lauderdale) to warehouse (Cap-Haitien) delivery. Although changes in customs routines have necessitated price increases. it is still more reliable to have CASCO see goods through customs.

As I am still unable to travel, I know the staff would really appreciate receiving anything anyone can send. My dream is to have enough supplies arriving that we don't have to keep asking. Contact Starthrower by return e-mail if you need shipping information.

Special thanks to the Solon Family for their Christmas fundraiser to benefit Starthrower. Thanks again to everyone who wrote and phoned over the holidays. Your support has been overwhelming.

My 'first' Winter in Canada
In closing, my health continues to improve slowly and steadily. Weather permitting, I meet with the surgeon January 26. Tests originally scheduled for this week in Toronto have been postponed as the original surgical wound is not yet healed.

I qualify every day's activities with "weather permitting". This has been my first winter in Canada in many years. I had forgotten how beautiful and how brutal winter can be here. Somehow the nurses from St. Elizabeth and the support workers from Red Cross manage to get to my place in spite of inclement conditions. They are truly dedicated, amazing people. Thanks Lesley, Jenna, Joanne and Marie.

Plis pi ta (more later)

Beni-w (Blessings)
Sharon

Haiti State National Exam Results, Sponsors for University, Med School

Hello Everyone,

Last night we had rain and electricity arrive in tandem. They each visited for approximately four hours, losing intensity before they finally bid us good bye. It took electricity (kouran) four tries to grab hold, the thunder (loraj) rumbled all day with promises.

If you have read the new page on the website 'A day in the life' [new page - see Cap Haitien Haiti News], you know something of our daily quest for ice in the absence of hydro. Yesterday all our ice was melted, so I phoned Jackson (our cab driver -- he is treated like staff although he calls me his mother). We made the trip to Champin to get ice only to be told 'glas-la fini net' (no ice).

A kind gentleman waiting to check out his purchases asked me what I did, how long had I been doing it, did I like the country. He then suggested we go to the ice making factory in Morn Rouge if we were desperate. We were.

Following his directions, we arrived after a 30 minute trip over the wonderful Rout Nasyonal. We checked in with two armed guards, arrived at the plant and were greeted by yet another well-armed guard. After an hour wait, our precious ice arrived. Nothing is easy.

Re: State National Exam results Sen Rafayel:
By Friday we had heard from all our students in Sen Rafayel. Of the 5 who wrote Philo in Sen Rafayel, ALL WERE ADMI. Bon. Everyone passed! This is such a BIG THING. These are kids who eat maybe once a week, have never had a bath or shower, no access to clean water, never been to a dentist, live in misery you cannot imagine. Yet they wrote the same exams as the wealthy and well-fed, and passed!

State National Exam results Grand Riviere du Nord:
Plenitude was also successful. As I said on the website, he had come on Friday full of joy at his success and sorrow as his dad had died Monday. He lives a fair distance but I kept him on as he was one of the first children I met 10 years ago. In primary school, he walked 4 hours a day to attend school. Since his high school is in Grand Riviere du Nord, he would periodically borrow a neighbour's cell phone to touch base with us. He said Friday it was our presence that gave him the courage to go on every day. Although he couldn't get here physically, whenever he called, Auguste was there to provide encouragement (li te ankouraje-li).

A similar exam results scenario in Cap-Haitien.
From about 75 percent of our kids in Cap Haitien. Osner just arrived from Lycee Boukman, grinning from ear to ear. He has had most of the teeth on the right side of his mouth pulled, so he looks like a little old man. He was also 'bon/admi' for Philo (7th and last year of high school). Auguste is beaming! He tutored most of these kids throughout the year. We had 100 percent success in Philo in both Sen Rafayel and Cap-Haitien! We are 10 for 10! Absolutely UNHEARD of!!

Out of the 10 who wrote Rheto, we had one ajoune in Sen Rafayel and 2 in Okap (Cap-Haitien). That means they were close enough to a pass that they rewrite for 3 days beginning August 11. Only one did not pass, Martha whom I mentioned (nursed her brother through 2 major illnesses. HE passed.) The other 6 were admi/bon.

This is a brilliant achievement!
I am in awe of these kids. These young people are the ones who will change their country IF given the 'soutyen' (support). If they don't receive it, yet another generation wastes away. And what a perfect birthday gift for Starthrower's birthday celebration!

Currently we have 2 students in second year university in Limbe (Agriculture), two beginning pre-med in the Dominican Republic (and they had to pass Spanish language fluency classes first!), and one in second year medical technology. Four of these have sponsors. Of the nine new grads, 3 want to study agriculture, one to enter nursing, two to study medicine, two to study master mechanic at university in Port-au-Prince, one to study for kindergarten teacher in Cap-Haitien.

• Osner wants to study engineering. Maybe a group of engineers will sponsor him along with Danius and Johnley.
• Maybe the nurses federation will support Brunie
• Maybe the medical association will pick up Alland and Wisky
• Maybe the teachers federation will sponsor Rosenie for teaching kindergarten
• Maybe the agriculture association will sponsor Plenitude, Lebrun and Gabriel
• Maybe the medical technologists assoc. will pick up Micheline.

Could happen!! If you know anyone in these associations, please pass this blog post on to them. These young people have gotten to the upost-secondary stage with your support, and can only succeed with your support.

Speaking of support, we are very grateful for the boxes which were delivered this week from Pennsylvania. Thank you Mme Cindy and company (Mme Paula also I suspect?) The protein powder will be put to use this week after we make our peanut butter.

All for now -- I need to switch solar to the fridge.

Beni-w (blessings)
Sharon

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