Starthrower Foundation

05/26/2026

For the past year Foundation has been experiencing the heaviest challenge to our continued service in Haiti . Rising costs, shrinking donors list and political instability are combining to create a perfect storm which threatens our continued impact.
Because of these conditions, we are in the most precarious time to personal safety in my 28 plus years in the country. This is the time to expand services not contract.
This song by Collier titled "Little Blue" provides comfort and challenges me to keep going.
But to carry the weight of the world on one's shoulders needs to be a collaborative effort. Starthrower is in need of all the help possible to keep our young people safe and in school. Please support in any way you are able.... sponsor, donate, spread the word, hold a fundraiser, join our board, share posts.

Mil mesi -- kembe ak nou (1000 thanks- hang in there with us)
Sharon

On this sun-filled day in September, Jacob invited a group of fans to meet him at the Heritage & Arts Centre in Bow, London, for a special, Audience-Choir-in...

05/23/2026

05/11/2026

In December we posted a photo of some of our new senior high students titled "SOS". These are young people who have lost funding which would have allowed them to complete senior high and graduate.

Our nutrition program was discontinued at Christmas due to rising costs and declining support. Staff salaries were cut.

These are the current 2026 stats in country. The term " children" refers to 18 and under.
Children make up 30% of members in armed gangs (UN) Sexual violence against children increased 1000% in 1 year Mortality..highest rate in the Americas Over 600,000 have been displaced/are in makeshift camps
3 million require humanitarian assistance..highest ever Hundreds of schools have been destroyed, occupied 300,000 displaced since July 2024 66% are anemic, 22% chronically malnourished.***

*** This figure is seriously underreported

This does not take into account approximately half of our students as they are 18 or older.Stats will be much higher for that group.

The late Anthony Bourdain wrote "Interacting with the world is not a pleasure but it is a privilege...It leaves marks on your memory, your consciousness, on your heart and on your body."

I am not immune to the difficulties we face in our home countries. There are however social structures in place.

Haiti has no safety net, no government, no free education. Kids not in school are targeted by the gangs. Doing nothing is a choice. Please help us keep these young people in school. These young people are the faces , hopes and dreams many call 'statistics'.

Every donation makes a difference and every share helps spread the information.

Love and light
Sharon

03/23/2026

Dogs of STF (Part 1)

On March 19, 2013, our darling Joli went into labor. She was 6. In a country with no vets, the implications of helping a dog through labor were terrifying. I didn't grow up with dogs .. Google became our vet.
Whelping box prepared by staff, Joli climbed in, instinct taking over. One by one they arrived, each named by staff..
TiKe ( Little heart) named after his dad, Tidjo ( Little Joli),
Sablo , Tchale (Charlie) and Senkyeme (5 th).
We debated Senk's name, wanting to call him Denye ( last) but caution won out. What if there was another pup?
As the days grew into weeks, we relaxed. Each grew into their name.
13 years later Joli, Sablo and Tchale are gone. I still grieve each one and staff still talk about the joy they brought.
Happy birthday Tike, Tidjo and Senkyeme. Thank you for the unconditional love you give every day. Your muzzles are white, bodies are thinner and slower. But you're still with us.
In a country without veterinary care, we did what we could.

Care is often uncertain, always imperfect. Whatever we did was from a place of love.

Sharon aka the fairy dog mother ( Thank you Kim Webb for the name..it is an honor I treasure)

PS Pictures did not attach. Will talk to the cyber wizard tomorrow.
PPS Thank you cyber wizard Carole. It is a joy to see Joli and her pups. The pics bring back floods of memories...all good.

03/09/2026

Home visits are an integral part of our mission to improve the lives of teens and young adults in Northern Haiti. By assessing how and where they live, we can provide ongoing support to improve conditions which fosters success in school. It is also an opportunity to meet other siblings and family members that may require support in the future. This visit was to a community in Northern Haiti (Sen Rafayel) where STF has one of its drop-in centres.

What you see in this video is a typical residence (tikay). No kitchen, no toilets, no running water, no doors/windows, no beds...

Your financial support helps students through so many facets of their lives!

For more information, visit https://starthrowerfoundation.org/
To donate by e-transfer: [email protected]

N-ap kembe (We're hanging on)
Sharon

03/07/2026

At Starthrower Foundation, each student we admit has a dream or idea waiting for the chance to grow. We help remove barriers, open doors, and create real opportunities for young orphaned adults in Haiti.

These are some of the students currently enrolled in high school. We urgently need your gift today to provide critical financial resources for replacement school uniforms and shoes (as needed), books, transportation, food, and water to ensure successful completion of the term — please help us turn potential into progress and progress into lasting impact.

To new supporters: if you are considering partnering with us for the first time, we welcome you! Your financial support will allow a student to complete their year. *Note: 100% of your donation will directly fund a young Haitian adult. Educating one student supports not only that students’ future but also ripples out to family and community.

To our returning donors: a heartfelt thank you from our past graduates who have successfully integrated with the Haitian economy as doctors, dentists, engineers, nurses, office managers, masons, taxi drivers, construction workers/supervisors … We invite you to continue your support.

Every dollar counts. Thank you for standing with our students.

Give today and help us build a better tomorrow.

With gratitude —
Starthrower Foundation

02/20/2026

There are many on our waiting list who , like Dr. Elorge, have dreams and hopes of creating a brighter future for their families, communities and country. You can help make those dreams reality. Every donation makes a difference.

02/20/2026

👉 This is why we do what we do.

Dr. Elorge began with STF as a high-school student.
Today, he is a practicing doctor.
His journey shows what education and opportunity can achieve.
Together, we are helping students transform their futures.
❤️
Support the next student:
👉 Share
👉 Donate
👉 Follow STF

02/06/2026

Episode 2 shares two powerful stories from Haiti — both of which shaped the very beginning of Starthrower Foundation.
One person helped Sharon learn Kreyòl, build local partnerships, and open STF’s first centre.
Another was born with polio, abandoned at birth, and went on to work in a bank — because education opened the door.
These stories remind us why we invest in people, dignity, and opportunity.
Because education truly matters.
👉 Learn more about our mission.