School's out for "summer"!

The school year has ended.  Our students just finished taking their final exams and are ready for vacation!  One way Starfish was able to help this year was to support our students in some special projects and practicums required of our older students.  Betsabeth shares with us all that she learned from her experience participating in a play as part of her Language Arts class!

Picture above is the set Betsabeth helped assemble and paint!

She writes...

"The House of Dolls"

This is a play about a husband that treats his wife like a doll and at the same time they have other problems because the wife also tricks him with the lawyer.  This play was really great because we learned how to understand the various characters.  It was great because we all supported each other.  Also we understood that this isn't just a play but it happens in real life too.  This helped us to reflect on many things that we sometimes ignore and we were able to understand that we can't hurt the people we love the most!

Maria wrote us a song!

After finishing her homework early, I gave Maria the task of coming up with something creative to share on our blog.  She decided to write us this beautiful song!

When are you are with me I can breathe,

When I'm with you I can't feel the cold,

Because when I'm with you I feel better,

I wish I could never separate myself from you, 

because I've had a lot of great moments at your side,

with you.

I wish that you would never leave me.

You are something very special.

I could say a thousand times - I love you

Because it's not hard to what we both feel

I love you a lot,

I promise you my love,

I love you too much - 

You are the best,

You are the best.

-Maria Bravo, Estrellitas del Mar

Anthony teaches us about our rights!

Anthony drew us a picture to demonstrate to us that although we are all different in many ways, we need to treat everyone fairly and equally.  Thanks Anthony!

Solange introduces us to a Starfish Volunteer!

Solange shared her drawing talents by making us a portrait of one of Starfish's volunteers and supporters in our Guasmo community.  Thanks Solange, meet Jairo!  Jairos is part of Mi Cometa's (Starfish partner) music program.  About Jairo, Solange says, "All I see around me is Rock!"

Communicate Good with Beth Awalt!

Starfish co-founder Beth Awalt was recently featured in an interview with "Communicate Good" Thanks to Rich and Miriam for composing the interview!

Check out the interview with Beth here:
Talking Good with Beth Awalt

...and make sure to "like" it on facebook and share it with your friends.  Thanks to Communicate Good for giving a voice to great causes!

Beth with Starfish Scholar Maria during a visit to Maria's home in June 2012.

Congratulations Dayanna!

At Dayanna's "Colegio" (High School) she was invited to be part of a special class filled with all scholarship students from various foundations.  These students, as some of the brightest in their grade, have been given the opportunity to participate in "Practicas" or mini internships/practicals in the various subjects throughout the school year.  Although these classes have an extra cost, it is evident in Dayanna's work ethic and her grades that these classes are worth the extra effort.  Dayanna was even 1 of 3 students in this course to get a special certificate for her business practical for her excellent completion of the project.  Congratulations Dayanna!

Dayanna giving a presentation about youth rights at our November monthly meeting!

Will YOU engage this holiday season?

Will YOU engage this holiday season?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOLA2-L_AxQ

Thanks to Connected the Film for the great video!
http://www.facebook.com/connectedthefilm