Ivency Belvue - 10 years old.

Ivency lives in the small village Boyer, just over an hour by car outside of Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince. Boyer is dry and hot and access to water is always a problem.

Ivency attends second grade in the school Boyertown. He likes school and does his best to get a proper education.

The first thing he does every morning when he wakes up is to fetch water for the family. It is one of his chores or rather duties. He takes two small buckets or one large when he goes to fetch water. It takes him 20 minutes one way to get to the nearest water source. The number of children and adults who fetch water at the source is greatest at sunrise. It's a small gathering, and you line up until it's your turn to fill up whatever container you have to fill up.

"Sometimes you have to wait a bit, but that's ok", says Ivency. "Everyone needs water, and there's always water at this source. It's ok, but still it's a bit far to walk."

Back home, water is used for several things, Ivency's mother boils water to cook. Ivency and his siblings also use some of the water to wash themselves before they go to school. Later in the day the remaining water is used to wash clothes and for washing plates, cups and cutlery. "You always save some water for drinking" he says. Ivency always takes with him a little plastic bottle of water to school.

"We usually have water in schools, but sometimes it runs out so it's good to have a little water with you" says Ivency "...you know because It's so hot in school."

When Ivency comes home from school after lunch he walks again and draws more water. There is always a need for more water.

Sometimes there is a contagion in the water so during cholera outbreaks or other waterborne problems no water is taken from the water source. The school brought in something like chlorine to clean the water used in the household. But you did not drink the water. The school bought small sealed water bags with about one deciliter of safe water for drinking when there is water trouble.

Star of Hope integrates a water element in all our schools. In places like disaster prone Haiti this is a constant economic challenge. Do you want to know more about helping with water projects contact us toll free 1 866 6530321

Myrtha Dor, Country Manager - Haiti has a passion for sewing.

While schools were closed and students enjoyed their Christmas break, my sewing students had homework. They had to make 4 blouses with different neck shapes: square, V, U and round to bring back on their first day of school in January.

It's was a challenge to make 4 study blocks in in one day. It was also hard to send the sewing students home to cut out and set the patterns on the fabric for four different creations. Then of course as sewing school reopened the had to bring all 4 pieces finished and ready to register.

During inspection I found the inside finishing of some pieces for some of the students didn't meet my level of expectation, I have admired each students effort braving the challenge of trying to make all 4 pieces during their vacation time without any assistance from me.

What I was amazed by the students acceptance of my constructive criticism of their pieces covering all four lessons. I must admit I have been confused for some days about their good mood and laughing faces even during my though critic. I finally realized they were all happy because they have made all 4 pieces without the teacher, me.

But now continuing with classes in sewing we now have a new topic, the study of collars. We have studied the Marine's collar and looking forward to see the final piece presentation. I'm very curious from my side, as I heard some students telling each other that they will make the collar with different color of fabric.

To be followed....

Report from last year

"Treatment for Anton", or "Fair-haired Boy with Blue Eyes and Autism", written by: Antonina Gavajuc,for ASCCN, Moldova and Star of Hope, translated

He is the fair-haired boy with blue eyes and he was nine when we first met him. Now he is 11 and his smile and his boyish good looks continue to charm us. At the age of two Anton was diagnosed with autism and moderate mental retardation. After numerous efforts to "treat" her son by various doctors and organizations Anton's mother Valentina came to our association and asked for a miracle. She wanted her child to talk, to interact with people, to stop his yelling.

After many counseling sessions, Valentina realized that her child is "special" and the unique "treatment" is a rehabilitation process that requires a lot of patience and insistence.

Anton has a younger brother and both like to play in the yard of their block of flats. His mother is divorced and takes care herself and her two sons. The center is not only for the children it is for the family as well. We noticed early on that Valentina was sad and lost in thoughts, depressed and lonely. She was inhibited and rarely smiled. However the ambiance within center along with frequent meetings and discussions with other parents having children with disabilities made her once again a smiling woman.

Of course the progress we have all had with Anton is fantastic, Valentina tells us;

"His biggest joy is to be at the center and partake in the activities. From the bus station Anton is hard to stop, because he tears himself away from my hands and runs to the center. His favorite activities are cognitive therapy, art therapy and occupational therapy. His hobbies include building with Legos, working with scissors, and of course looking at Tom & Jerry cartoons.

The pedagogues from the association are amazed by the easiness he does difficult puzzles. Also by partaking in group activities Anton learned skills in collective accommodations, skills to perform basic household activities.

Valentina admitted that after psychological counseling she can control the moments of irritation and irritability she has at times due to situational stress but still needs guidance and the specialists' advice.

"I found solutions, new possibilities, and I got to know my own child better due to the staff at the Centre of Habilitation and Resources. Although I live far from the centre this doesn't impede Anton and I to come here 3 times a week and enjoy our activities"

In Romania and Moldova Star of Hope is improving the lives of children with special needs. We are also working to keep children off the streets. We do this, for example, by providing support for various daytime activities for socially excluded children as well as children with special needs. We also run fitness activities, integration of work and working with the development of parent associations.

Are you considering making an impact to this program? You can by donating to the Christian Womens Project. The form will say Romania, we run both as a under the same umbrella making great impacts in the lives of families with handicapped children.

Elisabeth Notagay thanks Star of Hope and her sponsors for support

ELLINWOOD — Star of Hope of Ellinwood has several upcoming trips planned in order to strengthen the roofs of the buildings at its school sites in Haiti. They encourage anybody including youth group or adults that might be interested in going to go.

Volunteers who do go pay their own way. The next trip, planned for the last week of February, will cost about $1200; $1,000 of which is the cost of the trip and $200 for the cost of materials.

"It's a very humbling experience," said Lisa Milton of Hudson. She went to Haiti a couple of years ago with her teen daughter who inspired her to go.

"I've never seen anything like that poverty," she said. Milton was surprised at how hard their lives are in a third world country.

"They don't have government services," the volunteer said. "I was a little overwhelmed and felt guilty with all of the needs.

"I could have been born there. How blessed I am I live in America," she said.

Milton added that the Haitians struggle every day for food.

"It's so comforting how rooted they are in faith. American people aren't so open."

Her daughter, Christa, would recommend it as a trip to other teens. "It's so inspiring. It gave me a better appreciation of those who have nothing and their faith in God."

The trip was an eye opener for her and left her with more appreciation for the quality of life she has in the U.S. "I knew there was a lot of poor people, but not to the extent of Haiti. I want to go again."

Barry Parker of Great Bend has been on several Star of Hope trips, but his last trip was after the huge earthquake in January 2010.

"They (the students and orphans) needed somebody so bad," he said. "They were in school when it (the earthquake) happened. Some lost parents.

"We spent lots of time playing games with them," Parker said. "I think it made a difference in all of our lives. We take a lot for granted.

"In the evenings, we would share that it felt like we'd made an impact," Parker said. "I realize how much God has blessed us here.

"Star of Hope takes very good care of you," he said. "Once you go, you want to go again. If we can touch one life, it's worth it."

However, the need for donations remains. "Those who cannot go can make it easier on those who do go by donating to our StarTeam expense fund, and if they are an employer, by making is possible for the members to get off work for the trip," Barry Borror, U.S. director of Star of Hope.

BY KAREN LA PIERRE - Greatbend Tribune - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

See story at http://www.gbtribune.com/section/40/article/46279/

Star of Hope announces the election of Skip Yowell to the Board of Directors

Ellinwood Kansas, January 14, 2013:

Mr. Skip Yowell has been named to the Star of Hope Board of Directors. Mr. Yowell joins other volunteer board members as they guide the organization in the pursuit of its mission.

Skip brings a lifetime of experience in the business world and a passion to help youth. He is a cofounder of JanSport and today remains an ambassador for the brand.

In 2007 Skip published his first book, "The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder and Other Mountains". Most recently, in 2010, JanSport released a documentary film about his life called "The Skip Yowell Story".

Keeping with his passion to help young people, Skip currently serves on the boards of the Outdoor Industry Association and the Big City Mountaineers. Big City Mountaineers is a non-profit that encourages under privileged youth to better their lives through the magnificence of nature.

Skip Yowell grew up in western and central Kansas. He now resides in St. Peter, Kansas with his wife Winnie.

Star of Hope International, America, Inc.is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that equips children across the world with knowledge, physical well-being, spiritual growth and social skills through educational programs and local and international partnerships. For more information contact Star of Hope® at (866) 653-0321.

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