Starthrowers 'Making a Difference' in Haiti Starthrowers are making a difference, not only in the lives of Haitian youth, but also in their own lives. Gaining an understanding of complex issues like social justice, world poverty and AIDS, and realizing how they affect us all forever alters one's perception of the world. Photo: Starfish decorated with a prayer on one side and a photo of the artist/student on the other carry good wishes from Windsor Ontario Canada to Haiti.

Making a difference from Australia Special thanks to Teena Hughes, at BuildAWebsiteTonight, for her generous and on-going gift of many hours of her time, and technical support for the Starthrower Foundation web site. Though it's been many years since Teena travelled to Haiti, that visit made a profound and lasting impression. Here is what she wrote: "Haiti was my first experience with poverty, and it was overwhelming. I cried the whole time, and felt I could do little to help. I had travelled to Europe and the U.S., but had never been to any country where there is massive poverty. I was totally naive. I really did not know anything about Haiti before I got to Port-Au-Prince. I was unprepared for the overwhelming poverty -- the beggars with hands and limbs cut off, the people hanging onto my clothes begging for food, money, anything. For a white girl from the suburbs, it was total shock for the whole time I was there. The shock eventually turned to anger and despair after seeing the foreigners all eating at the [North American chain restaurant]." -Teena, Absolutely Faaabulous! Australia

Making a difference in North America Special thanks to a few Starthrowers :: To David Materiuk,(photo),of London, Ontario, who has twice travelled to Haiti with Sharon. To Pat Materiuk, chaplain, London, Ontario, and to the staff and students at >John Paul II High School, London, Ontario To Cindy Way and Paula Wilson, in Pennsylvania, for collecting and arranging delivery of supplies for Starthrower in Haiti. If you would like to become a Starthrower . . . * Support fundraising initiatives for Starthrower Foundation * Host a barbecue or yard sale, at home or in your community. * Arrange a Haiti Awareness meeting: Sharon Gaskell (or another Starthrower Foundation member) may be able to speak to your group, and talk about Haiti, and social justice issues. * Collect donations from friends, classmates and co-workers, then donate the proceeds to Starthrower Foundation. or mail a cheque (payable to Starthrower Foundation) to the contact address. Thanks to all our Starthrowers! Together, we ARE making a difference! Please join us. We cannot do it alone. If you would like to learn more about Haiti culture and social justice issues . . ., see Starthrower Foundation recommended books.