I have during my travels with Star of Hope met a number of children. In 2005, I was in Montes Claros, Brazil, where it all began for the Star of Hope. At the nice nursery there I met Daniel Almeida, six years young.

Daniel was a lively and cheerful guy. Recognized myself in him from my childhood. Always on the move, could not sit still. Spirited, curious, restless and mischievous. Daniel was ambitious and talented, he was talented in the classroom despite his restlessness.

I was at the home of the family who was the poor and problematic. His father had pulled when he did not stand the pressure to be the breadwinner, which unfortunately is very common among the poor. So Daniel's mother took care of Daniel, plus three sisters. In the house also lived two teenage cousins ??who both given birth, and whose boyfriends then pulled. Tragic.

The house they lived in was cramped and dark, and the family spent much time on the street, so even Daniel where he played soccer with neighborhood boys after school ended at 3 pm every day. Otherwise, he liked music and was hoping to learn to play an instrument for real in the future.

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.

$2.2 billion has been used for humanitarian aid, and $1.4 billion on transportation, health, education, water and sanitation.

Ambitious projects are stuck on drawing boards or have been held up by land and ideological disputes, logistical and contracting problems, staffing shortages and even weather.

350,000 people still live in tents and only a fraction of the money pledged for permanent housing has been used. The rubble has finally been cleared, but building permanent homes has taken a back seat to other matters.

And then there was the simple and shameful failure of global donors to meet their promises to deliver money and aid.

The cholera outbreak that started ten months after the earthquake did not help either. A recently announced 10-year and $2.2 billion effort to rid Haiti and the Dominican Republic of cholera by improving water and sanitation will require close coordination among the Haitian government, the United Nations, United States and other partners.

The people working for the recovery process ask for patience. Things take times in underdeveloped and poor country as Haiti. The institutions were weak or nonexistent before the quake, and nearly every ministry was flattened by the quake, killing 20 percent of Haiti’s civil servants.

But schools are getting rebuilt. New businesses and factories are starting up and jobs are getting created.

I have seen most of when I was there several times after the quake; the rubble, the pain, the suffering, people dying in cholera, streets fights for survival…and so much more…

But I have also seen the spirit to come back again. I have seen the parents doing its best for putting food on the table. I have seen the sparkle in the eyes of the children trying to learn their ABC and 123. And I have seen the hope for a better future tomorrow.

It is now three years after the terrible earthquake in Haiti. Many positive things have happened. Factories are being built, hotels are being built, the infrastructure, including better roads and the internet has improved.

But still 350,000 people living in tents in and around the capital Port-au-Prince, and many countries have not sent the money they promised after the earthquake. One can understand that the Haitians are tired of the countries that promised much and delivered little.

Haiti has for many years been one of the poorest countries in the world. It depends on many things. But why should this poor country and people be affected by such a disaster?
I have been to Haiti several times both before and after the earthquake. It is poor, dirty and much misery. At the same time a wonderful and helpful people. It is difficult for most people to get out of the bottom of the swamp. They try, but it's hard.

I have seen poverty in many parts of the world, but not as in Haiti. And I've seen it up close. Children dying of AIDS, dying of cholera, children living and begging on the street for survival.

I have met and talked with many people in the projects sponsored by Star of Hope, especially children about their difficult circumstances and mishaps. Many do not have access to either food, water or toilet. The only hot food some children get each day is the school lunch at Star of Hope's schools.

Large parts of the population in Haiti lives day by day. They can not plan for the future. They live from hand to mouth. They consume immediately everything they can get. The small crops they grow, they try to sell and then buy cooking oil and other necessary things for survival. Approximately 80% of the population live on less than two dollars a day.

The only asset many people have is a goat or a cow that they managed to save up for. Many handles a goat as their bank book, sold only in the worst emergencies. They sell the offspring to get some income if necessary. And if a man earns two dollars a month and receives 60-100 U.S. dollars from the sale of a goat, it can make a big difference.

Therefore, Star of Hope's goat and chicken program that started 2008 is very appreciated. About 900 goats have been distributed and about 800 chickens.

Many are fleeing the countryside trying to find a job and a living in the city where it happens. There are many possibilities most people think. That's why many people remain in tent camps in Port-au-Prince. They hope and believe that they will have a new home in the city.

Star of Hope has consciously during all the years they have worked in Haiti focused on the poor in rural villages. It has been working closely with the villages groups and planning efforts together. Star of Hope to continue this work. The goat program is just a way to help farmers to remain in the villages. We have also distributed seed, had tools banks and trainings for them.

However, the large Star of Hope focuses on education. Currently Star of Hope supports about 3 000 children in eight projects in Haiti. They receive education and school lunch in the new school premises with new desks and further trained teachers. All children received school supplies. They get a good chance for a good start in life.

For many, there are better opportunities to stay in rural areas. Children receive a good education, the farmers get help with different things. All this is very much appreciated. They are very thankful to all the sponsors and want the sponsors to know that. They are extremely grateful. At the same time, they want to stand on their own eventually, earn their own money, pay for themselves. The Haitians are a proud people who constantly had to fight. They are prepared to fight even more if it knows it can get better.

I wish we (the Star of Hope, sponsors, and the world) could do a lot more for these vulnerable people so that they can get better opportunities. Star of Hope's model works on several different levels, but more resources are needed. If the Star of Hope will continue forward as now, we will see great results in 3 years, in 10 years and 20 years.

In the USA there are 1.6 million Charities. That is about one charity for every 200 US citizens. During 2012, Americans gave an average of approximately 1200 US Dollars.

In 2010 John Hopkins University did a survey that posted the number of employed by the nonprofit and non-governmental sector at 10.1% of the working population.

In 2011 the Bureau of Labor and Statistics stated “loosely” that 16% of the population works for the Government although other sources swear that it’s nearer 25% of the working population.

I know that how you define the terms and where you look the numbers are all over the place. For our purpose these will work. We are going to be talking about the trend in new start-up; nonprofit or non-government US organizations- let’s call them for this space “Voluntary organizations”.

We will say for the sake of argument 1 in 10 works for the nonprofit or non-government sector via voluntary organizations and 3 in 10 work for the US Government.

One of the idea’s I wish to share is the social side, specifically nonprofit or non-government US organizations Voluntary organizations (VO) are growing at an amazing rate.

Without going into the political side of this lets just agree that many VO do work or have programs inside the US as well as outside. I wonder at what year the percentage of VO will grow to be almost equal the Governmental employee percentage and what will that do to the ongoing debate in Washington and the rest of the Country.

I offer that the US is most wary of the influences of any modern outside political ideology, however that the US is clearly anchored in their own type of social work for the less fortunate in local or distant society. Not only that but new organizations are popping up everywhere; not only due to the internet maturing but that individualistic ideas are being brought to action on a more frequent basis. It seems this will continue as the next wave of internet tools will make each and every one of us a: fundraiser, supporter or even an activist for their friends cause or their own.

How will this coming structure benefit the intended target? Whether the Child down the street with MS or the single mother perhaps a new school in a remote place in a poor small Country.

With so many actors it will be increasingly difficult for many targets to build long term relationships with helpers and donors. If for example a mother of a sick child needs help would it be better to have 2 or 3 connections helping with 500 givers each or the opposite 1500 givers to have contact with? In some situations it is better to donate through a central point.

Of course there are the big questions, should we help and who should get help first? Globally most 6 year olds would say” people should have food; have a safe place to live with good parents and to be able to improve their future-education”.

Ask the same question to random adults of all ages, political affiliation’s and religious affiliations and the answer would surprise you. One thing for sure it the common sense of the children’s response would be replaced by thousands of answers.

Diversification is generally good for some areas of our lives just as over diversification will lead to diffuseness. The global consensus on what we need to do is not absolute it is political for the most part as international governmental organizations tend to be the trend setters. The question is do you agree or not; do you know what the global priorities are and do you agree with them?

Star of Hope stands on four basic pillars with education and learning to know Christ being the first two. We have been helping children get educated in marginalized areas for over 40 years. We do not plan to abandon the task or to detour from it and we hope that you might decide to be a part of what we do. Together we are strong and we will have a great impact on countless children’s lives.

Star of Hope basically understands that some organizations feed the needy, some cloth the needy and then there are those that do it all. We stay aligned with education as it is a great tool to break the chains of poverty and cannot be taken away.

So please do think about the quality your donations will bring about; we offer a sound track record in results with children’s education. We have one channel to 30,000 children in our system with professional service and Christian attitudes. Star of Hope gives precise monthly feedback and personal donor service.

We need your help we ask for your support; sponsor a child with Star of Hope, change a life for one; break the chains of poverty!

Mark Presson

I have been to Haiti several times and totally of more than 15 months after the earthquake three years ago. It's been an emotional roller-coaster. I've seen suffering in many different ways and levels. But gradually, I also experience many positive things.

Star of Hope in Haiti has made many efforts since the earthquake. First, it was necessary to save lives, Star of Hope sent several medical teams during the first few months to help with surgery in general, and then to carry out a health survey of the Star of Hope projects.

Star of Hope has rebuilt and strengthened the schools that were destroyed and damaged. It has also expanded the school, made new desks, brought in water, brought in electricity. Everything to make the school environment better and safer. I think that's good. Real schools in poor villages a must to keep families and children, so they do not move to larger cities.

An important part of Star of Hope's work in schools is the daily lunch to be distributed. For many of the children is the only goal with hot food.

In efforts to get people to stay in the villages, you have to also work on the overall development of the village, which the Star of Hope has done for many years. It has helped farmers with seeds and tools banks. Since 2008, after the heavy stormy autumn, Star of Hope seriously distribute goats and chickens in the villages. To date, more than 900 goats and 800 chickens distributed villages. And the more we want to share.

After the earthquake, the Star of Hope organized three sewing schools, allowing locals after completing the course to monetize on their new skills. Many of the students have already started to work as seamstresses. Another reason to stay in the village. Several times, all schoolchildren received school supplies. Many are so poor they can not buy their own school supplies, making it difficult for them to keep up with the school properly. In addition, all teachers received training in recent years through the Star of Hope so that they can work in a more professional manner with the children.

Star of Hope has also sent various volunteer groups, called StarTeams to Haiti to perform various tasks. Among other things, various professionals trained local people to build school desks and more.

Just when everything started to roll in Haiti for the Star of Hope and the schools to be rebuilt ten months after the earthquake, the cholera epidemic came and paralyzed much of the country. Star of Hope toured the projects and vaccinated schoolchildren and teachers, plus we made sure that all projects had access to safe drinking water. It delayed a lot of other work.

The schools affected by the earthquake are rebuilt, but we continue to ensure that the villages we work to get better educations centers. Right now we're working with a preschool in Marigot, and we hope to build a primary school building in Bois Negresse shortly also.
It's a shame for the people in Haiti, they are regularly affected by disasters and will never come out of poverty. Hopefully it's on the right track now. Star of Hope is moving on in the projects that they work.

There has been too much suffering in the country. I've seen a lot. I hope it can turn and that the country and its people slowly but surely coming up on a higher level. I hope the authorities can stabilize the economy and fight forward for the good of the people. Star of Hope has done very well in the villages, but I hope the Star of Hope can continue to do their bit for the greater extent and development of the villages we work in.

At the Star of Hope Preschool in Mombasa, most children comes from poor backgrounds. One of the boys is Sudi who has a complicated family situation and the mother is unemployed and the father has only odd jobs. With four children to care for, it is hard to put food on the table every day.

Sudi is doing fine the classroom says his teacher. But the only thing he thinks about is football she adds with a smile.

With more sponsors, we would be able to help more children to a good start in life. Click here to learn how to become a sponsor.

Here are some pictures of Sudi.