Star of Hope is a not-for-profit organization that positively changes the lives of children world-wide.

One-third of all food produced for humans is lost or destroyed annually. This is equivalent to 1.3 billion tonnes. The cost for this is 680 billion dollars a year, among the developed countries, and a further half the cost in developing countries.

This corresponds to 95-115 kilos of food per person in Europe and the U.S. The food that is thrown away in Europe could give food to an additional 200 million people. The food that is thrown away and lost in production in poor countries could provide food for another 300 million people.

Sad but true!

Today is the first ever International Day of Happiness!

Deforestation in Haiti is a severe environmental problem. In 1923, over 60% of Haiti's land was forested; by 2006, less than 2% was. There are several reasons for that.

It started with the independence Haiti won in 1804. For the freedom France demanded a payment of 90 million gold francs (equivalent to some 20 billion dollar today) for lost property. Haiti's trees were felled and exported to France, in order to service the debt.

In Dano village in Haiti the village leader is also the pastor at the local church. Mr. Wallas is a busy man of God, he has also a big heart and always in a good mood. He fights hard to do the very best for the villagers, the children and the elderly. If not preaching the good word he is out doing good works.

His personality encourages the people to help others in the village and he is always ready to step in and do the work himself if needed.

Here are some pictures from a service after the flooding in 2008:

Also Nampo Children Boarding School with slightly older children received clothes and food from the Star of Hope disaster relief in 2003. Nampo Children Boarding School is located on the beautiful country surrounded by low mountains and green hills. We drove into the area that had a basketball court and a soccer field.

In total, here lived and studied 212 children. 111 of them were 7-11 years old and went to primary school (4 year grades), 101 were 12-17 years old and went to secondary school (six grades).

I have met many children and young people in various difficult situations. One of the worst meetings for me was a meeting with three month old Luyono. It was in Kenya in 2008. We met during a visit to the dump in Kibarani outside the coastal town of Mombasa. He was laying in the lap of her mother Asha.

Asha sat in the shade inside the garbage dump and sold changaa (homemade alcohol). She brewed it herself and sold to those who worked at the dump. Everything was done with little Luyono in the lap.

Asha had five children, two went to a preschool where Star of Hope did some extra work efforts. Two pictures of the siblings:

Haiti quake – three years on. Where Did the Money Go?

Public donors pledged $9.5 billion in relief and recovery aid to Haiti for 2010 to 2012. About $5.9 billion had been disbursed by the end of September, though disbursed does not always mean spent. Figures do not include money – at least $1.5 billion – spent by private groups, including Star of Hope.

Even in Ghana Star of Hope is working particularly with the education of children in poor villages. Star of Hope is also active in the northern part of the country, in the poor region of Bolgatanga.

My trip to the area a few years ago was really an eye opener. It was really amazing to see what the Star of Hope does for the rural poor. Children get a good start in life that they might not otherwise get. It was an fantastic trip and it would be a dream to go back there. Here are some pictures from the trip:

Yesterday it was the official World Toilet Day. It may sound funny or weird, but it is a huge problem with toilets around the world.

2,5 billion people still don't have access to a safe clean toilet.

A few days ago the Haitian president and premier minister issued a State of Emergency i the country. The situation is very serious and Haiti is now also threatened by food shortages and possible starvation.

80-90% of the countries crops are washed away or being destroyed by the flooding. Many have no food or no money to buy food for. Another disaster threatens.

Star of Hope wants to help as many as possible in the projects were we work. First with food supplies, later with farmers tools, seeds and livestock.