Meet the Students: Parte Tres

In this week's edition of Meet the Students - meet Joselyn, Briggitte and Dayana, 3 students from Flor de Bastión who all participated last year in our tutoring program!

Joselyn
  

My name is Joselyn.  I live in Flor de Bastión.  I study at “Batalla de Tarqui” high school.  I am in 9^th grade.  I am 15 years old.  I was born on November 16^th.  I like to listen to music – especially vallentato.  I like passion fruit.  My favorite food is lentils.  I don’t like fish.  I like to read and I like math.  When I’m older I want to be a police officer or join the Marines.  My favorite colors are electric blue and light green.

Briggitte
  

My name is Briggitte.  I go to “26 de Noviembre” high school.  I really like my school.  I was born September 18^th.  I have one sister with whom I share a lot of things.  This year I hope to keep up with my studies so that I can reach my goals.  In the future I want to be a police officer.  It’s my dream and I know I can achieve it with the help of God and of my parents.

Dayana

 

My name is Dayana.  I am 13 years old.  I go to “26 de Noviembre” high school.  My favorite colors are blue and pink.  I am in 7^th grade.  I like to study.  My favorite subject is math, but I don’t like social studies.  When I’m older I want to be a doctor or a teacher.  I hope to reach my dreams.  Even though I don’t have my dad, I will work even harder with my mom and my siblings.  My mom is also finishing her studies and I hope she can reach her dreams as well.  My favorite food is chicken and rice with soup.

Meet the Students: Parte Dos

Meet 3 of our new students in the Guasmo neighborhood: Nagelhi, Jamileth & Odalis!  This is the second part of a multi-part series on our new scholars.  They are pretty awesome and we thought you should know just how awesome they are!

Nagelhi

  

Nagelhi was a tutoring student last year, and earned her scholarship this year with her consistent attendance and positive attitude!  Her older brother Geovanny is a third-year Starfish Scholar.  Nagelhi writes, "My name is Nagelhi,  I am 13 years old.  I like to play soccer.  My favorite subject is Math because I like numbers.  My family is united and sometimes we play and laugh and do other fun things.  I have 3 siblings.  Their names are: Geovanny, Genesis and Jostin.  I like to play and have fun with them.  I like Starfish because they teach me a lot and I like when we play soccer and go on

Jamileth

     

Jamileth is new to Starfish this year.  Above she is pictured with her mom and sister.  Jamileth tells us, "My name is Jamileth.  My goals for this year are to get good grades and pass 7^th grade so that I can be successful."

Odalis

Odalis is also new to Starfish this year, but so far has been a great addition to afternoon group. The afternoon group has most of our older students, and she has fit right in and is always very respectful and a very hard worker.  Odalis writes, "Hi my name is Odalis.  I am 15 years old.  My goals for this year are to pass 10th grade and get better grades.  I like to listen to music while I study."

Stay tuned for the next part of "Meet the Students"!

Integration Day

This past weekend we had our first "Integration Day" of 2014, where our Scholars from both Guasmo and Flor de Bastión had the chance to recreate and converse during a day of fun-filled sun and sports!

2014-2015 Starfish Scholars

Switching it up from past Integration Days, we decided not to have either neighborhood host, but instead we took the kids to a local park, Parque Samanes.  Over a year ago, the government opened the first phase of what will be one of the 3 biggest parks in all of Latin America. We played soccer and basketball, and enjoyed using the exercise equipment.  

New Starfish Scholars had a blast getting to know each other, while our returning Scholars had a chance to catch up with old friends.  The best part - this park is free and we hope our students are able to go back soon with their families.  

Scholars Maria and Solange with Employees Lissette, Cynthia and Yuliana

Relaxing after a hot day in the sun!

Meet some of our new Scholars!

23 of our 41 Scholars are new this year - though most of them participated in our tutoring program last year.  And don't forget that some of them still need Sponsors. Even if you are not able to make a financial commitment at this time, you may still be able to participate as a pen pal!

We asked all of our students to write a short introduction for all of you.  Today we present to you Gema & Miguel, both new Scholarship students in Flor de Bastión.  Both participated in our tutoring program last year!

Gema

 

I am 14 years old.
What would you like to be when you grow up?
I would like to be a surgeon or I would also like to have a Beauty Salon and be able to live off what I earn.
Favorite Food
Pork Chops with Lentils and Rice
Hobbies
Draw, Paint, Play and do a lot of things
Favorite Pets
Dogs, Rabbits
Favorite Fruit
Strawberries, grapes, green mangoes

I study at Dolores Sucre High School . I am in 1er bachillerato (10th grade).  I have 2 brothers, with me we're 3.  I favorite color is bright blue.  My favorite dessert is Tres Leches and my favorite candy is Galak (chocolate).  My favorite subjects are Chemistry and Computer.

----

My name is: Miguel.

   

I like music.  In my free time I play soccer.  Sometimes I like to watch horror movies, but most of the time I watch calmer movies.  I favorite subjects is Science.  I like to read the Bible.  I am getting ready to participate in my church groups.

On Mondays when we go to school I have to wear a special formal uniform.  I study at Maritza Thalia High School.  I have 4 siblings.  When I grow up I want to be a veterinarian.  My favorite food is rice with lentils and meat.  My favorite fruits are apples, pears, raspberries and watermelon.

Reflection on Values - What is Excellence?

Today I want to draw attention to our values, one of the results of the retreat we had with our advisory board back in March of this year.  We were able to re-define and focus our mission statement and our core values that guide us in our work both in the U.S. and with our scholars in Ecuador.

Joselyn, younger sister of a Starfish Scholar, is a big part of our Starfish community,
always willing to lend a helping hand.

Our core values are: Community, Life-long Learning, Determination and Excellence.  Excellence is the one, that for me really encompasses the heart of our mission.  Creating a community of scholars, our Starfish family, makes us unique because we create an environment where success is possible together.  We encourage our scholars to seek knowledge in all aspects of their life through life-long learning, and I'm pretty sure I never knew what real determination was before meeting some of our Scholars who have had to persevere in the face of challenges I never even imagined.  However, I keep coming back to Excellence.

Gema & Jasmin helping Julio with a school project.

What is "Excellence" to you?  To me, it is a mindset.  It is the mindset that is going to change our Scholar's lives, no matter what their social or economic circumstances, and no matter what craziness occurs in the world around them.  To me, excellence doesn't have so much to do with being "the best" at something, but rather not conforming with the status quo.  If you are frustrated that the government says they are going to pave your road but they never get around to it, or the workers are slow or irresponsible and turn a 6 month project into a 2 year project - does that make it okay for you to do the same with your studies? your job? your own neighborhood projects?  Because the rest of your friends choose not to go to school on the first day because "we don't do anything on the first day," does that mean you can extend your vacation one more day as well?  No - as an excellent Starfish Scholar (or Starfish supporter/friend/donor/volunteer,etc.) you know that you may not see the fruits of your labor right away, and others may wonder why you bother to put in that extra effort, but you know you are being the most excellent "you" that you can be!

Abraham, studying hard at "Refuerzo"

Excellent people lead others - sometimes at the head of a classroom, sometimes from a government position, and sometimes quietly by example in your family, school or community.  All of these leaders are equally important.  This year we challenge our Scholars to not settle for the status quo.  With this knowledge that we all know they can be excellent, there are no longer excuses.  That B+ is good, but could it be an A-?  We believe it can.  We challenge our Scholars to challenge themselves and each other. Striving for excellence will change their lives and it can change yours too.  Strive to be excellent in everything that YOU do, and expect big things from our Scholars this year!

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"(most often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi)

Betsabeth with her parents at her graduation this past March

Sponsor a Scholar today!

Have you had a chance to check out the changes on our website?  There are updated pages on the need for Starfish, Community Partners, our Employees, bios from our Core Team, and a chance to meet all of our 41 Starfish Scholars for this school year.

Please also don't forget, we are still looking for sponsors for this current school year.  Please let us know if you are able to financially sponsor these young students and/or if you would like to participate in our Sponsor a Scholar pen pal program.  Even if you are not able to financially support a student for the whole year, you may still be eligible for the pen pal program.  The following students are still without pen pals for the current year:

Miguel

Briggitte

Joselyn  

Betsy

Evelyn  

Yesenia

Sofia

Nagelhi

Andreina

Contact Jenn & Beth for more information!

Meet Alexander - First Year Scholar!

Meet Alexander - a first-year Starfish Scholar, also entering his first year of high school at the age of 16.  Alexander is not your typical student, and because of his age, he will have to study on the weekend "A Distancia," something like getting your GED as an adult in the U.S. He will probably be the youngest in his class, but he is excited to have the opportunity to continue studying.

Alexander previously studied at another foundation here in Guayaquil that offers a formal education, as well as a soccer team, catechism - and a place to live for many of its students.  Alexander doesn't remember how he ended up alone, because he was very little, but he does not know his biological family.  His first memories are being passed from foundation to foundation as they found the right fit for him.  His passion is soccer.  At the last foundation where he was he was able to join the team, and will continue to play with them during the week while he studies on the weekends.

Alexander (center) with his First Communion Sponsors.  (Starfish Scholar Lili on the right).

At the last foundation, apart from soccer, he also found a place in the youth group.  Alexander is a reserved teen - openly admitting that if he's not out playing soccer with his friends, he'd much rather be in his room listening to music by himself.  However, while participating in Catechism and youth group, he met a great group of people - some of whom were already Starfish Scholars!  One of them, Lili, became his sponsor for First Communion this past December.  (In Ecuador you have Sponsors or Godparents for every important accomplishment in the Church and school, not just Baptism and Confirmation.)  Lili brought him to her home to share the holidays with her family, and after 2 weeks, he was already part of the family.  Lili's mom went to the foundation to do the paperwork, and now Alexander is the latest addition to Lili's family - and to our Starfish family.  We are excited to empower him to make his dreams come true.

Alexander at his surprise birthday party this past January!

Alexander with his adoptive mom, Elena, after participating in the Ecuadorian tradition of
 having your face smashed in your birthday cake!