We urgently need your help to fight against hunger in Haiti. The situation is dire, and the children are suffering. Criminal groups have taken control of much of the capital, making aid work dangerous and difficult. But despite the risks to their own lives, our dedicated team on the ground is working tirelessly to provide food to the 3,600 children and their families who depend on us.

We buy food from local communities closest to our schools, providing an economic boost to these struggling areas. But the cost of food has risen significantly, and our resources are stretched thin. We need your help to finance new food distribution efforts and break the vicious circle of hunger and poverty.

Our long-term work in Haiti has already made a significant difference. We run schools in seven villages, providing education, school lunches, supplies, and uniforms. We distribute livestock, offer tailoring training, and ensure access to clean drinking water. Our efforts give children the opportunity to grow into young adults with the strength and ability to escape poverty.

We are the only Swedish aid organization still working on the ground in Haiti. But we can't do it alone. We rely on vital support from sponsors and monthly donors. With your help, we can continue to provide the life-saving food and resources that these families desperately need.

Please, don't let the children starve. Criminals may terrorize the people, but hunger is an even greater threat to the children of Haiti. Your support can make all the difference.

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Meet Abel,  a 10-year-old 4th grader who has captured our hearts. He is a brilliant and talented student, determined to achieve great things despite the challenges he faces. Abel comes from a poor family living in the poorest area of the Valea Seacă commune, Pălămida, Romania. Since 2019, he has been a beneficiary of the Star of Hope Center.

Sadly, Abel has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, cancer that affects his lymphatic system. This illness has brought financial difficulties to his family, making it challenging for them to afford the intensive and complicated medical treatment Abel needs. In addition, their poor living status makes it difficult to provide Abel with a healthy and nutritious diet, which is crucial for his recovery.

But there's hope! The team of specialists at the Star of Hope Center has assessed Abel's situation and identified his specific needs, including emotional support, a personalized treatment plan, and a healthy diet during his recovery period. However, Abel needs additional support to cover daily expenses such as transportation costs, food, and personal hygiene products.

Abel is a role model for his peers, a fighter who continues to smile and remain empathetic despite his illness. His biggest wish is to recover and stay with his family and friends. You can help make his dream a reality by sponsoring Abel. Any amount you give will cover his medical, travel, and nutritional costs. Let's come together and give Abel the support he needs to win this fight against cancer.

Able - pre-cancer.

Donate here - write Able in the form

This music and video were produced in Sweden on Star of Hope International's behalf for release on the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, here is some background on how it came to be.

Simon Ådahl became familiar to many Swedes, Europeans, and people across the globe due to the effects of winning the Swedish Melody festival with his band Edin-Ådahl. Now he has sung the duet "I intend to pray for Ukraine" with Peo Thyren from Noice a classic rock band, and all the money goes to the charity Star of Hope’s work in Ukraine.

The song was written back in 2004 and is called in the original version "I'm thinking of praying for Sweden". It spread widely, first in churches and then much more widely. With a version in English and Korean respectively, with a text about the reunification of North and South Korea, it had a big impact in several Asian countries, which led to Simon and his brother Frank Ådahl having to perform it in a packed Jakarta Stadium in Indonesia in front of 120,000 people. The event was also broadcast live to 15 million TV viewers. The pandemic stopped the Ådahl brothers' planned tour in Korea.

In the fall of 2022, Simon Ådahl was contacted by a pastor in Smaland Sweden named Petter Edin, who had changed the text to "I'm thinking of praying for Ukraine", and wondered if it was okay for them to sing it in his congregation. Ådahl gave his approval and did not think more about the matter until a few months later when Lennart Eriksson from Star of Hope got in touch and, on behalf of the charity, wondered if Simon Ådahl would consider making a new recording called "I intend to pray for Ukraine" ". As there was already a text on that theme, it was quickly possible to enter the studio, and when Peo Thyren got in touch and suggested that he and Ådahl should do something together in the Slowbeat studio in Gavle Sweden but didn't quite know what, he was immediately invited to participate in the recording.

During January, both a Swedish and an English version of "Pray for Ukraine" was recorded and a music video was also recorded. In parallel, translations have been made into Ukrainian and Romanian and will be recorded shortly. "I intend to pray for Ukraine" will be released on all streaming platforms on February 24, the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We did not plan at all for this recording to be made. It just happened in a way that feels supernatural and where puzzle piece after puzzle piece just fell into place," says Simon Ådahl.

"When so much misery is happening around the world and at home in Sweden, it is important not to forget Ukraine. With this song, we want to continue to remind people of the unimaginable evil that the people of Ukraine have suffered," says Peo Thyren.

Link to the music video:

https://youtu.be/G21wUQMt4TU

DONATE HERE TO HELP THE WORK IN UKRAINE

Sisters Mikelia and Agustina are beaming with joy, even though the family struggles to afford the bare necessities. Even though their home right now resembles a demolished shed where it rains through the roof and the electricity makes clear its absence. The children are beaming because their principal is visiting their school. Star of Hope’s preschool is a haven that fills both children and parents with hope.

Two new generations meet when our Argentinian operations manager David Johansson visits Mikelia and Agustina's home. David is the son of Kenth and Alba, who started our Argentine branch "The Good Shepherd" in 1972.

Our preschool was inaugurated after Alba's death and was named after her: Jardín Alba.

Mikelia and Agustina, in turn, are daughters of godchild Lily. Like so many children from the Toba people, she was able to begin the journey towards a better life thanks to the Star of Hope. In a country with 92 percent inflation and increasing poverty, our support for Lily has been crucial.

“I got help to pass my studies, she says. In high school, they helped me with food and paid for my school uniform. I was able to study further thanks to Hoppets Stjärna covering the school fees. Now I have studied for four years and am about to graduate.”

The dream of a good job, and a better life, is finally within reach. Lily is at the end of her educational journey – and her daughters are just starting theirs. Five-year-old Mikelia is more than happy to talk about her preschool.

“I love it! she says. I'm learning letters and all the numbers, and I've learned to write my name. And to draw. I can draw hearts!

The enthusiasm is unmistakable. Jardín Alba is unique of its kind in the area.

“Jardín Alba is the only preschool in Saenz Peña that targets the children of the Toba people, says David.”

In preschools where only Spanish is spoken, they find it difficult to keep up and learn what they need to know before primary school as their mother language is Qom. In our preschool, both Spanish and the children's mother tongue Qom are spoken. This means that all children come well-prepared to primary school, where all teaching takes place in Spanish.

Language teacher Ana Maria Lopez, who herself belongs to the Toba people, highlights another important dimension of the preschool's work.

“Teaching Qom is important for the children to be able to keep their culture and language. Our people have lost so much, she says.”

During the conversation, Mikelia and Agustina crawl into the arms of their principal Silvia Gamez.

“We know that children learn much more if they receive love and respect, says Silvia. We emphasize values such as cooperation, being respectful and apologizing.”

After the home visit, David meets with the school's legal representative, Norma Portillo. She has worked voluntarily for Star of Hope for many years and previously held the role of preschool principal. When David asks her about the importance of preschool, the answer comes without the slightest hesitation.

“Jardín Alba is not just a preschool! It is a preschool that will make a difference in the children's lives.”

Make a gift to our work in Argentina

Make a gift to our work in Argentina

Together this year, thanks to you! we experienced the joy and accomplishment of changing children’s lives and spreading the Gospel.

All in spite of the lingering Covid Pandemic, economical changes, or any other reason, we never gave up!

We helped the Ukraine refugees at the border every day, today too.

We also kept feeding programs open, feeding kids and families. 

We were able to restart closed programs. Some helped the kids with emotional and psychological pressure due to the pandemic.

Most of our schools found a way to keep the educational process going.

In Haiti, we did more than ever to keep the schools open even under gang violence and the total collapse of the government.

The Awana partnership has continued and the Gospel is shared more than ever.

The 20,000-plus kids our work touches is strong!

Our donors have kept our budget alive, thank you so much as we know this was never to be taken for granted.

You are not taken for granted and we bless you!

More wells were not drilled a the rigs did not move, many have paid for new wells and we are eager to start!

This year our year-end giving will be used primarily to shore up our feeding budget where it is most needed.

More well were drilled.

Your year-end gift is not a one-time deal, it is a hand-up, and together with others like you, your gift has the potential to make thousands of boys and girls happy and feel the love. 

Giving them joy by showing them love can create a positive change in the children and ultimately a whole community. It will, I bet, make you feel warm and fuzzy inside too.

Please consider Star of Hope for your year-end giving, just click here.

Read more about the economy and legal aspects here.

Do you use Paypal scan or visit HERE

Rich Blessings and thanks!

Mark Presson CEO

866 653 zero three 21

“Buy a goat! Give away a hen!” That's what our Christmas gift tips sound like before every single Christmas - but what happens to the animals afterward? Hundreds of families in Haiti and Romania know the answer to that question. We asked some of them, in rural Romania, to tell us for themselves.

The retired nurse Antonica guides us through the village. She is the fiery soul who has been given a key role in our contact with the Roma families. Her sewing course has turned unemployed mothers into entrepreneurs and her home visits form the basis of the efforts made in the homes. Five-year-old Anastasia and her parents happily greet us as we pass.

"Every time we visit them, the situation is improving," says Antonica. “We have given them pigs, sheep, chickens, goats, and a cow. When the cow gave birth to a calf  the family gave it away to relatives. They've also shared chickens, and they've got a well to share with the neighbor.”

Father Romica, mother Alina, son Stefanut and daughter Anastacia have all been helped by the chickens they received.


Social worker Antonica visits Ionela, the mother of young children.

Our walk takes us on to the Grosu family. Ana is one of the mothers who took Antonica's sewing course. Together with her husband Vasilie, she has nine children.
"Our village is a little out of the way, and we live a little out of the way in the village. No one had visited us until the Star of Hope came here. It has been a great help to us," says Ana.
In the last six years, everything has changed for the family. The livestock they received continue to multiply. Two goats have turned five and a couple of hens have turned 35.

10-year-old Amalia Grosu proudly shows off her chicken.

"That means we have eggs all the time," says Ana. "We have a cow that gives us milk, and the goats give us ten kilos of cheese a year!"
Every animal is a poverty fighter. The children are no longer hungry when they go to bed. They no longer freeze because they lack clothes and no longer have to stay home from school because they lack shoes.
“We have gotten much better. Look at our new nice house! Wow, so much has happened. And my husband has stopped drinking and is taking much more responsibility. He takes good care of the animals and has been good at building the new house. Now I hope he stops smoking too!” says Ana and laughs.

Eight-year-old Stefania and her family have received two goats and a dozen chickens from Hoppets Stjärna.

"The first goat we got is called Diana," says Stefania.
“It's the brown one out there by the road. The newer one is called Puffy. I like both! I usually chase them, but I never catch up!”
Stefania's mother Cornelia supplements the grocery bag by growing vegetables in the backyard and picking mushrooms in the forest.
"The animals have helped us a lot!" she says. "Now we have milk, eggs, and cheese constantly. We have given some chickens to my mother and neighbors, so they can eat eggs. I gave a goat kid to my brother, and of course, he is very happy. We help each other."
What do you want to say to the supporters who bought the animals for you? “I thank them from the bottom of my heart! We have a better life now. I have food on the table every day for my whole family. Thanks!"

Stefania and the goat Diana.


Eight-year-old Stefania and family. "We have had a better life," says the mother, Cornelia.

GIVE A GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS OR YEAR-ROUND HERE
Give a cash donation

More Than a Gift at Christmas

In this day and age, we who live in developed countries rarely NEED anything by the time Christmas rolls around.

We have access to everything we want or need. Star of Hope wants to offer you and your family the opportunity to remember and express the good emotions you get when you think back and remember your past Christmas.

You can provide that feeling in a life-changing gift to a child in the developing world. It really is that simple.
Each year, we are able to add more people to our list of Christmas family givers, people like you, people who offer up one of their "wants," dinner out, a movie, or simply a cup of coffee, so that we together pass that "want" onto a child. A child who right now has hope for something at Christmas. It might be you who answers their hope.

You or anyone looking at our online Christmas Catalog can choose from a list of needs in different countries. It is not too late to make a child's dream come true.
Currently, we offer items that the children/projects need, such as rice, beans, books, Bibles, and so much more. Have a look.

Thank you for your consideration.

Mark Presson Star of Hope

Click to go to the online Christmas Catalog.

If you would rather help with a cash donation - Click here.