Our top "battle star" winner in Guasmo: STEVE!

In our most recent survey, one of the questions we asked Scholars was: What are two things you like best about the tutoring program? Steve had a very unique answer - going to buy snack.

Steve, with the view of Guasmo behind him.

You see, part of our Scholars' community service promise is to help me out with various projects. When we started giving a small snack a few months ago I asked for a volunteer on the first day to go buy $1 worth of mandarin oranges. Steve jumped out of his seat to help - every single day that week. After a while I didn't have to ask for volunteers - Steve just went and bought the oranges, even when I was out for two weeks.

Steve (right) and Geovanny at the front of the Starfish meeting. They are always willing to help!

This is the perfect example of Steve's good nature and passion to help others. He plays around like any 12 year old boy, and more than once I've had to remind him to be quiet during homework time - but when it comes to lending a helping hand, Steve is always the first to the gate.

Steve, working on a project at a Starfish monthly meeting.

Steve is a great teacher for me too. If I have to go buy something in the neighborhood, I often take him with me. He knows how to fix things and where to go to buy the materials - or better yet how to fix them without the materials. He knows where you can get milk for 50 cents per liter instead of the 80 or 90 cents you pay in most other stores. He is resourceful and street-smart - and only 12 years old.

Steve, getting creative on a craft project after tutoring.

Steve also comes from the most economically impoverished family we have in our Guasmo neighborhood. It is for students like Steve that Starfish exists. He could easily drop out of school to work to support his family - earning a few bucks here and there helping his father in construction. In his free time he could hang out with the other kids and fall into the temptations of the street in a process callejización.

Steve in his modest home in Guasmo.

But instead he goes to Starfish. His mother is a full-time stay at home mom of 6 kids, while his father works occasional jobs in construction when available, bringing home about $180/month or less than 2/3 of the current minimum wage. Sometimes he doesn't eat 3 meals a day...or sometimes he doesn't even eat 1 meal a day. But you can be sure he'll be at Starfish bright and early with a smile and a hand ready to help!

Genesis and Steve at a Starfish meeting this past summer!

-Jenn Zocco, Director of Ecuador Programs

Student Drawings

Taking inspiration from Solange's portrait a few weeks ago, Starfish scholars decided to draw portraits of each other for our blog.  Thanks to Steve, Solange, Maria and Geovanny for sharing their representations of their friends with us!

Solange's portrait of Steve!

Maria's portrait of Geovanny "I am Geovanny from Starfish, I love you all a lot!"

Geovanny's portrait of Maria "Hi I'm Maria"

Steve's portrait of Anthony "I'm Anthony and I'm really cool"

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.