STARFISH ONE BY ONE
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May 11, 2012
My Rotary club is currently working with Starfish to support a group of girls in a mentor circle. From the first time we connected with Starfish, we have been so impressed by their mission, organization and communication. The structure of their program is built for sustainability and long-term success for the girls that they support. In addition, a group of our members visited Guatemala and our sponsor group in March of this year. The trip was truly life-changing for our travelers. We had the opportunity to get to know the Starfish team in Guatemala, interact with families and get a true picture of the challenges that families face. We also got to see the true benefit of this program first hand. I consider it a true honor to work with this organization and will tell anyone who will listen all about it!
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 28, 2010
Starfish is truly unique! I was glad to support the program to provide mentorship and education to girls from rural areas to enrich their lives knowing they may not otherwise be able to continue their education. It was comforting to exchange letters with Brenda, the girl I sponsor … then I made the trip to Guatemala to witness firsthand the change Starfish is making in the lives of these girls. We first attended a mentoring and education class. The class focused on the value of family. Each of us were asked to speak to our family circumstances, siblings, parents, lifestyle, etc. I was in awe to find out that everyone of the girls in the class were dedicated to coming to class, despite the poverty and need for their help at home. This program gives them hope for change and encourages them to dream. I was struck to learn that everyone in the class was the child of two illiterate parents, most of whom don’t speak Spanish but only their native language. It was this moment when I realized the potential that Starfish offers these girls … how does one escape poverty under these circumstances? Starfish truly changes one life at a time. I suggest volunteering time to witness it first hand, meet the girls and wonderful contributors to the program, and experience the natural beauty of Guatemala!
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The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Guatemala by volunteering, participating in home visits and the mentoring program. Wow!
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the ability to experience the program first hand. Meet my sponsored girl, attend the education and mentoring program, home visits and better understand the challenges and the work they do.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
open and encouraging!
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
change the lives of thousands of young women ... each then in turn impacting another!
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every six months
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 21, 2010
I am a Gringa living here in Guatemala. In my earlier work with an NGO I came to realize the desperate need for an education that offers critical thinking. The Ning's, through Starfish are doing just that for a small group of young women who have the will and the intelligence to step up and out of a life of poverty and to help others to do so as well. The Mentorship Program compliments their current public education, offers them the skills of clear communication, sound judgement and self esteem. It brings tears to my eyes to see a young woman who, three years ago could barely lift her head to say hello to a stranger now entering a room, looking at everyone there and beginning to speak with knowledge and confidence. I just wish that we could clone the Nings and their capable Mentors a thousand times over for all young women in Guatemala and everywhere who want to change their lives and the lives of others.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
visiting with the classes, talking with the Mentors and the Nings about the progress of the organization, it's growth and changes and expansions of the staff. Also seeing the young women in their homes and with their families. Powerful!
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
May 16, 2010
We met Ted and Connie Ning of Evergreen, Colorado through a mutual friend. Over dinner one evening Ted and Connie told us about "Starfish One by One." We appreciated their vision for empowering young Mayan girls in Guatemala. We were intrigued and wanted to see firsthand how this was being done. In January 2010, along with our mutual friends, we spent a week in Guatemala with Ted, Connie, their son Travis, and several of their local leaders. It was a wonderful experience and we hope to return and offer ourselves as volunteers for short-term service. During our visit, Travis, the local director, provided us with many opportunities to meet and interact with the local leaders and the young Mayan women they served. The goal of Starfish One by One is to provide relational and financial support that will enable these teenagers to continue their education beyond 6th grade. The philosophy is simple yet powerful: if you educate women you can change the world. Educated women have better economic opportunities, have fewer children, provide better nutrition for their families, all of which improve communities, countries, and the world. These young women were chosen by their teachers because they have great potential and are financially the most in need. Families must also agree to be supportive of their daughter as she pursues her education. Starfish One by One provides scholarship help and weekly mentoring groups. The mentors are local Mayan women who are college educated and who know well the Mayan culture and the challenges ahead for these young women. They meet with the young women at least weekly to provide tutoring assistance, personal support, goal setting, and a great deal of encouragement. We had the privilege of meeting the mentors, observing several mentoring groups, and talking with the families whose daughters were in the program. We were very impressed with the quality of the local leaders and mentors. As we interacted with the families, there was great sensitivity and respect from the Starfish One by One staff. And there was a great deal of appreciation and affection from the families for the opportunity given to their daughter to continue her education. All in all, the vision of the Nings, the high quality of the local staff and mentors, the gratitude and support of the families, and the contagious enthusiasm of the young girls are some of the reasons that we are enthusiastically sharing our experience with Starfish One by One. We are surely going to return and be continually supportive of this tremendous work. Doug and Jeannie Amidon, Carlsbad, CA
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
...the continuing education (beyond 6th grade) of young Mayan women in Guatemala including college educated Mayan women who are giving back to their communities by serving as mentors.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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