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

I'm trying to clean up the last bits and pieces from my trip to Argentina last November. There is always some little things left: a short note that is not finished or some video that are not edited correctly. But now I think I have tied it all together. I hope so anyway.
After 30 years of hard work in and around Saenz Pena by Kenth Johansson and Alba, their sons and staff the work really begin to give accurate results that delight. Initially, the work was to save lives by building houses, water systems, health clinics and more. The work has slowly evolved.
Now, increasingly, we see more young people receive vocational training through its own trade school, or they go to college and university through a scholarship from the Star of Hope and are trained as a teacher, nurse, accountant, police and other professions. Within a few years, the first lawyer will graduate from the minority group Qom (also called Toba, but are used less and less), great successes! The sponsors gifts and efforts have really given ever finer results. Many young boys are taught to play soccer in the soccer school, which also gives them a good hobby to get involved with.
Some pictures from Argentina:

Haiti has the highest rate of cholera in the world a year after the disease first arrived in the country. Cholera has sickened more than 450,000 people in a nation of 10 million, or nearly 5 percent of the population, and killed more than 6,000.

At the anniversary of cholera's arrival in Haiti, it is also on the verge of becoming the leading cause of death by infectious disease in the Caribbean nation, according to health experts.

That's significantly more than the 100,000 to 300,000 cases documented annually in Bangladesh. The Democratic Republic of Congo sees 13,000 to 30,000 cases a year.

Cholera is likely to become endemic in Haiti, meaning it will become "native" to the country. It is very possible that it will be with Haiti for a very long time.

Haiti's has a status as the "most water insecure" country in the world, which means many people have insufficient access to clean water.

Haiti has long suffered from improper sanitation because of its poverty but sanitation conditions in the capital and other urban areas became much worse after last year's earthquake forced thousands of people to set up tents and basic shelters in public plazas, parks, soccer fields and other open areas.

The epidemic threatens to worsen as the year's second rainy season causes the disease to spread.

Also worsen the situation will be the withdrawal of humanitarian workers who leave because of a lack of funding. That means fewer drainage services and less maintenance on the latrines aid workers set up in the settlement camps.

It is absolutely important to improve Haiti's water system and sanitation. The use of education, water treatment and oral vaccines is also important.

Star of Hope actions

Star of Hope has supplied water treatment directly after the earthquake to Star of Hope projects to “secure” the water available.

After the cholera outbreak a year ago, Star of Hope started to give out the water purification and oral vaccine to the projects again. Star of Hope also informed the school leaders, teachers, children and community leaders about safe water and also about the cholera.

Star of Hope also started several water projects at the schools and communities that Star of Hope support, meaning digging wells, building water pumps, building reservoirs and more. Most schools and communities now have easy access to safe water.

Currently Star of Hope is trying to raise funds together with Swedish agriculture magazine LAND to raise funds for water pipes in Hesse. If we can complete this, we will have water at the school in Hesse. This is great for the children and staff; they will have access to safe water for drinking, cooking and sanitation at the premises.

If you would like to donate money for this or any water project please contact Star of Hope. The importance of access to safe water has never been more obvious in Haiti.  

I saw close up with my own eyes people of all ages suffering of this terrible disease last year. A couple of pictures from a hospital and Star of Hope actions below:

The U.N. Security Council has decided to reduce the number of U.N. peacekeeping troops and police in Haiti to levels before the January 2010 earthquake devastated the impoverished Caribbean nation.

"The overall security situation, while fragile, has improved," the council's resolution says.

The council backed a recommendation by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and voted unanimously Friday to reduce the mission's current authorized military strength of 8,940 to 7,340 troops, and its international police force from 4,391 to 4,241 officers.

We will see how this pan out in the future. Some people want UN to stay; some people want them to leave. I have no idea what would happen if they leave.

After the flooding due to the tropical storms in the fall of 2008 the UN troops in Marigot, Dano and Paillant helped us with crowd control when we distributed food and roof tins. Especially in Marigot it was very bad flooding so the situation was very tough for the people there. The troops were very helpful to us then.

Some pictures from September 2008:

Argentina
Star of Hope has worked in Argentina for 30 years among the poor indian tribes in the north of the country. Star of Hope have built houses, water systems, schools and supported the teachers and students. We have come a long way with many different projects to raise living standards for the vulnerable people. I hope the work can continue for years to come. It would be necessary.

It has been difficult for the tribe people to reach in to the community and higher education and employment. Closed racism and open racism inhibits them at many different levels. But more and more young people work their through better education, some with the support of Star of Hope. Good, it is necessary for them to show that they are knowledgeable, although most live under more basic conditions.

The Football school among the Indians the Star of Hope began in 2005 has created opportunities for young people with dreams and also reaped great success. More on that ina later entry.

Star of Hope is proud to participate in global handwashing day! Our tippy tap education in Haiti following the cholera outbreak prevented deaths among the children in Boyer and Jeanton, Haiti.

For the little it costs, the tippy tap is one of the most effective health measures we can take. You can be a part of this intriguing health initiative. Even a small gift can provide soap for a family or a school. Check out the article we have posted on the website.