I shoot a lot of pictures of faces. I’m fascinated by the various faces and eyes that tell so much. You see joy, suffering, hope, curiosity and more. In rural areas in Ghana, you notice an extra curiosity for me and the camera. Who is the man with the camera? It's fun, I think. Most kids want to be in the picture, and get very confused when they can see themselves on the LCD screen on the camera back. Some want to be photographed again and the second time around the kids a pose or make a face. All images above were taken in Ghana.
These brief meetings are fun and interesting wherever you are. Usually it will be much laughter and joy. We do not understand each other but both have something to remember.

Star of Hope has worked in Haiti for many years. We have helped thousands of children to a better start in life in one of the poorest countries in the world. Through education, nutrition, health projects and other things we have, together with sponsors and institutions helping children, youth and families to a better life and given them hope for the future.

Now the Star of Hope has a half-dozen newly constructed and renovated schools, ready to provide even better training. Many school teachers have received training to provide even better support to 3,000 students. Children have access to great facilities, nutrition and safe drinking water.

However, we want to develop the schools even more and help more children better. The Star of Hope needs more sponsors for Haiti.

The pictures in the article are from the school in Rigaud Haiti, let me know if you have any questions. More photos on SOH Flickr.

Dennis

StarTeams are a small team of volunteers that Star of Hope invented a few years back! They go to a foreign country to help out for a few days or a week. Star of Hope is looking for StarTeam members that are ready to go to Haiti and Bois Negresse in the summer to help out building the roof on the school being built.

I have been to Haiti when a number of different StarTeams have been there to do some work; fixing a roof, painting classroom, building school furniture and so on. There has always been time to educate the kids in many different ways as well.

To be a StarTeam member I think it is fantasic way to do something really good! Here are some videos and pictures from StarTeam activities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COm91dMO_2w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgPTyjAHrIA

It is for sure a life chaning experience in many ways to go to Haiti and do someting good!

April 15, 2012: Tony and Myrtha are in Sweden for funds-raisings events: to meet star of Hope sponsors and media to presente Star of Hope completion of 5 schools reconstruction work, organize Haitian dinner for staff and sponsors, participate in Ice Gala funds-raisings for water project in Haiti. Sweden is a blessed country, peacefull place, forest and trees everywhere, lake, river and water everywhere, but very cold, snow cover the whole place where we stay. Iy is a great suceessful vlisit! Tony

To many child laborers.

Today is the International Workers' Day. All around the world 215 million children work, many full-time. They do not attend school and have little or no time to play. Many of them have no proper food or care. They are denied the opportunity to be children. More than half of those exposed to the worst forms of child labor such as working in hazardous environments, slavery or other forms of forced labor.

215 million child laborers is 215 million too many.

Please give these children a thought today.

I was reading the other day about the difference between values and beliefs. I do believe that people who hold values in common can and do work together to accomplish certain things, even if their beliefs are different.

Christians, Jews and Mormans all hold a basic set of values that come from the 10 commandments. This is a reason that often it is seen where the three groups work well in a disaster situation. The shared value is the worth of human life.

Star of Hope attempts to build partnerships and programs that bring the best resources possible to see children grow in all areas of their life. In education, health and social development we can and do work with a broad base of resources and groups.

As a Christian organization, in matters of faith (beliefs) we seek to partner with like minded people.

I invite your comments.

Barry Borror
President & CEO