STARFYSH

Programs

1. Agriculture few disagree that agriculture will play a critical role in the overall development picture of haiti. Re-establishing the strength and primacy of the family farm must be an emphasis in any thoughtful strategy to bring transformative change to this land. Much is heard about haitis ecologically distressed landscape. But in our exploration of la gonaves 387-square miles, we see great and exciting potential for restoring her land. Indeed, much of la gonave is mountainous, but there are thousands of parcels of fertile ground, some large, some small, just waiting to be cultivated. Some say the topsoil is gone, but we disagree. Much of the land, indeed, is barren, parched, and non-productive. But the soil is there, just waiting it seems, to be rejuvenated, plowed, and planted. Starfysh has begun the great task of restoring the land by supplying farmers with seeds, trees, and livestock. This initial strategy will, of course, be an important aspect of our ongoing work. But we must also be about the hard work of making sure our work lasts. We must take the long view. In addition to supplying seeds and planting trees, we must train family farmers and agri-businessmen and women to…

   $172,287 spent$16,500 earned by the program
   47% of program spending

2. Education all agree the most fundamental thing that must be repaired in haiti is her broken educational system. Only half of primary school-age children in haiti are enrolled in school. Only 22% of children in haiti attend secondary school. Fewer than 2% of children in haiti finish secondary school. 70% of students in haiti fail national tests. 40% of adults in haiti are illiterate. 90% of all schools in haiti are privately owned and run by churches and other non-government organizations. 10% are government-run. If the people of the destitutely-poor island of la gonave, haiti are to ever rise from their misery permanently, it will not because of outside help, but because her own people do the raising. We recognize this, and have placed a high priority in educating, training, and developing young leaders. Over the next several years, Starfysh hopes to impact the educational system of la gonave at many levels. Creole language resources since there are very few books and resources in the haitian creole language, we will work to produce them. Thus far we have published the preschool reader, an nou li (lets read) and vwayaj yo avek twiga (travels with twiga), a childrens story written…

   $139,656 spent$127,648 earned by the program
   38% of program spending

3. Relief not all of Starfyshs efforts fall into the category of development. From time to time, we are made aware of an urgent and extraordinary need to which we are compelled to respond. Such was the case when the island was near-famine conditions and we provided food to several hundred who were facing starvation conditions. Recently, in early 2022, we provided funds for the construction of a small apartment facility(near the salt flats) where, to-date, seven homeless people have sincemoved in and are being cared for. Again this year, we are keeping our eye on the hunger situation on la gonave. And, as in every year, we hold our collective breath until we get through the summer/fall hurricane season.

   $13,477 spent$16,190 earned by the program
   4% of program spending

4. Island health any serious attempt at raising the health of a community must start with hygeine. The startling reality is, fewer than 10% of all families on the island of la gonave, haiti have a household latrine. The germs of human waste seep their way into the surface springs where the family water is often gathered. Shoeless children run and play on ground where intestinal parasites lie in wait for their next human host. The good news is that it costs very little to construct a household latrine. A deep pit capped with a concrete base and stool can be built in just a few days. Community health education (che) is, without question, the most effective way to improve the overall health in a place like la gonave. Measuring the impact of che demands more time and patience. Unlike treating acute illness, like cholera or intestinal parasites, etc., ches results are realized in the long run as we see the incidence of preventable illnesses going down, healthier children learning better and missing less school, and their parents being more energetic in their gardens and work. Economic development the sad reality is that the island of la gonave currently has very little in the way of an…

   $39,780 spent$7,491 earned by the program
   11% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $365,200.