Integration Day...in the eyes of a volunteer.

Volunteer Andrew shares with us his experience of last Sunday's integration Day in Flor de Bastión!

A group song to unite the two Starfish neighborhoods.

Jenn celebrating with the June birthday girls!

"I got to experience the grand fiesta known as integration day where the refuerzo students from Guasmo got to reunite with their counterparts in Flor De Bastion for a day. This was definitely something that I will not soon be able to forget. Just taking a bus load of kids to Flor was an interesting experience. 

Andrew & Danny with the Guasmo crew after their bus ride!

Once we got to Flor de Bastión the party was a really fun way to just relax with the kids in a way that we normally can't during the week when the kids all have school. Dancing is very important here in Ecuador and I got a a chance to experience that fact first hand on the dance floor. Even Jaren, my 8 year old best friend in Ecuador, can pull of those Michael Jackson moves effectively. 

Jaren showing off his dance moves!

Sra. Elena, mom of 3 Starfish scholars and a huge supporter, pulls Andrew & Danny out onto the dance floor!

On top of dancing we played a few really cool games and we had some special presentations. A few of the kids from Flor presented some love songs they had been practicing, one of which was in English.

Dayanna and Maria Belen singing & dancing!

Mayerly, Andreina, Briggette, Genesis and Nagelhi showing off their dance moves!

  

On top of that the Guasmo kids wrote and presented a play of their own about the negative effects of drugs and alcohol which they some how managed to achieve in a comedic light. 

Solange and Valeria performing the skit.

The best part though was just getting the chance to see how the community really came together here to celebrate what Starfish has to offer. I know that a lot of work went into making Integration Day possible and it really wouldn't have been possible without the people who donated the time and material and space to make this all possible. 

Starfish employees from both neighborhoods with Starfish directors Jenn & Beth

Starfish scholar Cristhian with his mom, younger sister Noelia, and  siblings and Starfish Employees Tyrone and Jasmin.

  

It is clear to me that Starfish is primarily a community organization, the outside money helps make everything that Starfish does possible but in the end it is the communities in both Flor and Guasmo that work together to take advantage of what Starfish has to offer."

Jenn & Beth

An Evening for the Stars!

Two weeks ago, a dream became a reality. Dr. Klingler's Social Entrepreneuship class had come up with the idea of "An Evening for the Stars" last spring -- a benefit dinner, hosted at Villanova, for our Starfish Scholars. Lo and behold, one year later, it was a major success!

The event was incredible. People came from far and wide -- some even traveling from Connecticut and New Jersey! In total, there were about 40 guests in attendance, plus the wonderful Business Without Borders (BWB) team, who staffed the event.

Highlights of the night included:

A beautiful table of raffle prizes, including a purse donated by Profugo, and incredible silent auction items, like picture frames (handmade by Kaitlyn Dormer, a BWB member and co-organizer of An Evening for the Stars), Ecuadorian crafts and photos of our Scholars.

The a cappella performance by Minor Problem -- and the "outstanding" cheer from some HOBY volunteers!

Martin Garcia's speech -- Martin was Starfish's first volunteer intern in Ecuador, and his words eloquently described how much of an impact the Starfish Scholars have on his life.

The extraordinary array of food, including beans and rice and fried plantains -- so Ecuadorian!

So many of our supporters coming together -- Jenn's and Beth's family, Dr. Klingler and Dr. Arvanites from VSB, past and present BWB members (including BWB co-founder and Starfish Accountant Dave Grady and current BWB president Danny Newell), HOBY friends, Villanova alum and more.


In total, we raised:

• $1,641.50 from ticket sales
• $1,190 from the silent auction
• $270 from the raffle
• $3,320 from other donations

Overall, that's $6,421.50! This doesn't include a few expenses that we are still reconciling, but overall, the event was a huge success in both 'fund-raising' and 'friend-raising.'

We owe a huge thank you to quite a few people.

Firstly, gracias to Kaitlyn Dormer and Erin Digan, who organized the entire event. From soliciting donations at the Villanova Print Center to negiotiating with the great staff at Dining Services, they worked their charm around VU to have the greatest impact possible for the Scholars. Kaitlyn's graphic design skills are impressive, and their ideas to make recycled craft centerpieces was truly a hit. We cannot thank you both enough!

Additionally, we'd like to thank Dr. Jim Klingler (pictured here, with wife) and Dr. Deb Arvanites (not pictured) and for their generous advice, support and enthusiasm for Starfish.

To Business Without Borders, we are so grateful for your constant energy for Starfish projects.

VU Dining Services did a fantastic job at catering the event, Minor Problem provided excellent entertainment, the DJ provided great music, and VU Print Center made the materials possible.

Our most heartfelt gratitude to Martin Garcia, for the ripple effect he's created at Villanova for Starfish. We're impressed by you, Martin, and we are so happy to have you as a part of the Starfish family.

Last, but certainly not least, we thank our families for all the support and assistance with this project. It was great to have you be a part of this event, and we couldn't do Starfish without your support!

Gracias a todos, por todo.
Con carino,
Beth and Jenn

Ecuador's President on Education

In a March 31 press conference, Ecuadorian President Rafeal Correa said, “There will not be development without education.

Correa is one of the most respected and well-liked Ecaudorian presidents of recent times, especially among the poorer population.  Correa was not born into a particularly wealthy family and as a child, he also had to overcome his situation in order to rise to the position of power and influence he holds today.  One of his major initiatives has been to improve the education system in Ecuador.  In his March 31 press conference televised on all public channels in Ecuador, he spoke of a plan to create incentives such as paying a minimum salary for those university students who choose to study education in order to become teachers.  He believes that this is the most important major one can choose.  He remarked that often times good students who are looking for quick money choose to study medicine for financial reasons, but he stresses that these elite students are the ones that Ecuador needs in teaching positions.  With the elite teaching its citizens, Correa and the Ministry of Education believe that their country can progress and develop.

Another interesting fact that Correa noted: According to university entrance exams – there is no difference in the aptitude of students coming from rich and poor families.  Sometimes there is a difference in knowledge if more economically fortunate students have had more access to resources, but in aptitude rich and poor students alike scored the same.  He believes there is hope for all to succeed, to help Ecuador and to help themselves break the cycle of poverty.

Source: Televised March 31 press conference