The Starfysh Story

If it’s one thing I know, it is that deep inside all of us is the desire to matter. To make a difference. To acknowledge that life is not all about me, and then to do something about it. The reason I know this is because there is not a day that goes by in my life that someone doesn’t say to me that they would love it if they could help with what I do in Haiti in some way. Offers of time, money, supplies, skills. And this big one: “I’d love to go with you!”

Oddly, these kind gestures have been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because they typically are accompanied by kind and affirming words about the work I am doing. At the same time somewhat of a curse, for in most cases I have not had a good way to take folks up on their offers to help.

My rote response has been, “I’m just a guy.” Not an employee of any agency, I have, for the past twenty years or so, essentially gone to Haiti on my own, sometimes taking people with me, sometimes going alone. In responding to the felt needs of the people of Haiti, the projects I have undertaken I have done so in pretty much freelance fashion.

But there comes a time when the “just a guy” comeback no longer cuts it. How long shall I use this excuse? Truth is, I am accountable for the human resource treasure that is daily being offered up to me and have decided this day to do something about it.

Starfysh is my answer. Starfysh won’t save the world. And we won’t save Haiti. But (and call me crazy) I believe we can change life for the better on a forgotten, out-of-the-way little island called La Gonave. Starfysh will harness the pent-up, ready energies of compassionate people... people waiting for just the right cause and just the right people to challenge them. Starfysh will provide the structure to do some crazy things like feed hungry kids and equip hospitals and give school kids some nets to kick soccer balls into.

La Gonave is our beach and I'm inviting you, if you would, to join me in improving the life for the precious people on this forgotten, out-of-the-way island. These people can be our starfish. We can save these few.

Steve