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That’s right, we are now assembled and counting the days until we return to our oasis in the Caribbean . This will make our 6th trip, but our first as Project Starfish Haiti (non-profit), officially. We again have some return members in Dr Kitty (lovingly known as “Big Chief Black Cloud” as you may recall), Carey – NP extraordinaire and  daughter Lindsay (It was touch and go for a short time, but it just wouldn’t be the same without “Smiley” so I am relieved she will be with us again.); we also have 3 of the best nurses in 2 countries returning to their “second job” – Kiki, Chelsea and Sarah (we are so blessed with their compassion and spirit of giving).

We will be dearly missing some previous team members and hope for their return soon (you know who you are!), but once again we grow our team with new members – Dr. Kitty will be introducing her  daughter Ches to our “home away” (yeah…best way to spend a college Spring Break!); she will also bring good friend Tom Sparhawk (With Tom, we add a sociologist to our team – I believe this will be invaluable as we attempt to establish a permanent presence within a new culture….very exciting!). We add 2 more nurses to our corps this year as well – Heather Miller, another from the ranks of Radford University (can’t say enough about our Radford and JMU contingents – I believe it speaks volumes for the character of the individuals being educated at these fine Virginia institutions….also makes me feel even better personally since these are my daughter’s top 2 choices for next year!); finally, I am very excited to introduce Melila Hunter, a nurse who has lived in the US for many years but is a native from Haiti and has returned yearly to care for her fellow Haitians. We are so lucky she has chosen to return with our group this year (and hopefully we will all learn a little more Creole from her and her brother before we travel).

I am very excited about this coming trip, as Project Starfish Haiti begins to explore options to establish a permanent presence in the land we have come to love. We started this journey nearly 5 yrs ago hoping to assist in a crisis and it has evolved to a deep seated desire to help provide a system of lasting health care to those in such incredible need. We have met so many wonderful people along the way, both in this tiny country as well as right here at home…our family grows with each passing year and we are so much the better for it.

I know I have grown personally in so many ways through this commitment….it can’t be avoided when surrounded by so many outstanding people….they are the best of the best. It is such a privilege to work along side them and count them as my friends. I am sad to say we will be missing one of the very best of us again this year, as Dr Peter continues his courageous battle against cancer. I know he will be with us all as we travel, as we are with him for every step of his fight. I pray for his speedy recovery and am hopeful that he will be able to  return with us someday to see our new destination in Leogane….hopefully the site of Project Starfish Haiti’s permanent roots in the country.

“Hopefully” yes….but not possible without support. This goal cannot be achieved with just the yearly journey of a single medical team, but rather, will require regular trips to explore possibilities, build necessary relationships within the community, determine the best possible location, assist in construction, recruit and train local health workers and establish a reliable process to regularly provision such an operation.

Whew! I am certain there are many more steps/details required to accomplish our goal and again, we NEED your help! As you read above, we are now designated as a 501(c)3 non profit and donations can be made directly to our organization. They are fully tax deductible. Please visit the Donate section of this site to see how easy this is. Thank you all for your support in the past and thank you in advance for any continued support towards reaching our goal.

From all of us at Project Starfish Haiti, have a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Blessed Holiday Season!

Love to All,

Adam

Great news for our organization and exciting news for our supporters!!! Some of you may recall my last blog entry on our 2014 mission trip, but for those who may need a refresher, here is an important excerpt:

As we began our journey to Miami, I found myself reflecting on the words of a pastor in the small village of Di Croix. He shared a sermon of sorts at the inaugural clinic ceremony that I mentioned in an earlier post. He was imploring the residents and his congregants to be appreciative ‎and supportive of this new health clinic that was now available to serve them all. He spoke of successful development in general requiring 3 important elements: Existence, Will, and Resources. Their small village had accomplished the first by bringing the clinic into Existence and certainly their was a strong Will of some to make it happen, however there needed to be an even stronger collective Will to sustain it and then as always, the Resources to further develop and maintain it. I can’t help but think similarly about our fledgling organization, Project Starfish Haiti. As of the last year we actually formalized our group and incorporated – Existence. This would never have happened without the strong Will of many current and former team members.  Once we return from these week long excursions it is understandably easy to become caught up in our daily lives and have our enthusiasm wane until the next trip is planned, but if we are to achieve our next goal, that of our own non-profit status, on the path to even greater development, it will require the sustained Will of many…”

Well, it is now official.  As of July 25, 2014, Project Starfish Haiti is officially recognized as a Public Charity and exempt from federal income tax.  We are recognized as a non-profit organization by the IRS under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  This is a big step for us and means we will be able to more independently plan future projects and trips.  That said, we realize we are still just infants at this with so much more to learn.  We thank our friends at Angel Missions Haiti, Clinic Jolivert, Missions of Love, Much Ministries, Gleaning for the World and so many others for their generosity with their time, patience and support.  This is truly an education and we hope…we need to learn so much more.

In the coming weeks, stay tuned for updated information in the donate section of the website to see how easy it will soon be to make your tax deductible donations directly to Project Starfish Haiti.  For the time being, please continue to support us as always…as we are always looking towards the next trip and ultimately our next goal…establishing a sustainable health clinic in an unserved community.  We realize we have many lessons still to learn before we will be able to achieve this goal, but rest assured our Will remains strong to do just that. I can’t help but recall that hot day in the tiny, remote village of Di Croix.  I can only hope we too will enjoy the celebration of such an inaugural event in the not too distant future…

Adam