Noticias from Guayaquil

• The school year is winding down here in Guayaquil.  About half of our students finished final exams last week, and the other half will finish this week...just in time for some of rainy season's wettest days yet.  Luckily, our classrooms are holding up just fine due to the hard work we put in last month at the "minga."

  

  David & Cristhian at last month's minga

• Last week two volunteers from the Netherlands arrived at Starfish.  They've been staying with Starfish employee's Marcos' family and have had a great time getting to know the kids, helping them study for exams, and even teaching them a little bit of Dutch! Stay tuned for an update from Twan & Rianne!

  

  Rianne with Starfish tutoring student, Genesis.

Rianne, Yuliana, Cynthia, Lissette and Twan

• This past weekend was an exciting weekend in Guayaquil - Saturday, February 22nd, the two Guayaquil soccer teams played against each other in the "Clásico".  Emelec beat Barcelona 2-1. Sunday was election day.  Elections took place for mayor and other district/provincial positions.  Voting is mandatory for all Ecuadorian citizens 18 & older.
  

  

  Left: Jaime Nebot re-elected as mayor of Guayaquil.
  Right: Mauricio Rodas elected as mayor or Quito
  Credit: eluniverso.com

• In March we will run a mini vacation camp for our Starfish students, as well as select new Starfish Scholars for the 2014-2015 school year.  This year we hope to increase the number of scholars to 40!
  

  

  Eddy, Arelisa, Cristhian, Milena & Pamela at October's vacation camp!

• In other news, our 2nd annual benefit dinner is planned for Friday, March 7th in Baltimore, MD.  With over 50 tickets purchased, a guest speaker, silent auction, Ecuadorian-themed meal and many more surprises, it's shaping up to be the event of the year!  Reserve your tickets today and tweet at us from the event with hashtag #forthestars!

Felicidades Señor Presidente!

A few weeks ago Ecuador held elections, including many Asambleistas (like Congressmen) as well as the President.  Ecuador is officially a "Presidential Representative Democratic Republic". What does this mean?  Well as of the current constitution (written in 2007, approved in 2008), the President is elected every 4 years, and can be re-elected once just as in the United States.  Ecuador's government also has both a Legislative and Judiciary branch with regular elections.

Congratulations to Señor Presidente Rafael Correa on his re-election!  Correa is well-liked and respected by the citizens of Ecuador and most Latin American leaders for his many social initiatives such as conservation of natural resources in the Yasuni/Amazon, housing projects for low-income families, bringing social services to invasion communities and for his work on education reform.

Presidente Correa and VP Jorge Glass celebrating victory!

(http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/world/americas/rafael-correa-wins-re-election-in-ecuador.html)

Some fun facts about elections in Ecuador -

• In Ecuador you can vote when you're 16 years old.  
• It is MANDATORY to vote for everyone 18-65 years old.
• After you vote you get an official document proving that you voted with the date of the election.  It's a little smaller than your driver's license and is required for many official transactions such as securing a job or opening a bank account!
• Ever heard anyone complain about the "two-party system" in the U.S.? (Yes we are aware there are other smaller parties!) Well on this year's ballot in Ecuador over 20 parties were represented!
• This is technically Correa's 3rd term as President, since he became President in 2007.  In 2008 when the new Constitution was approved, Ecuador established the 4 year term and 2 time re-election from then forward, making Correa still eligible for this third term.
• This means Correa when he finishes this term he will have been President for 10 years, while in the previous 10 years Ecuador had 6 different Presidents!

Initial Election Results

(http://www.eluniverso.com/2013/02/19/1/1355/cne-ya-contabiliza-8157-votacion-presidente.html)