Andy Stein and a woman pose in front of a sign that says Associação Jesus de Nazaré AJN Bazil
By Karla Osorio 27 Feb, 2024
The Orphaned Starfish Foundation has been working with Associação Jesus de Nazaré for over 21 years. They were OSF’s second established tech center, and ever first in Brazil. The strides we have made over the last two decades is a testament to the power of equipping the younger generation with technology education for a better future. Below AJN shares some what we have been able to accomplish together since we began. And we do not plan on stopping anytime soon, because there is still so much more to do.
By Genesis Milisde 05 Feb, 2024
Roobens, one of the star students of Juventud de Hoy, is originally from Haiti but moved to the Dominican Republic with his mother, two brothers, and two cousins for a better life in August 2021. He and his family reside in El Batey Cacata in La Romana, where teacher Joanna Henriquez teaches computer skills to those who need it most. When Roobens joined the computer classes he barely knew any Spanish but was determined to learn both computer skills and Spanish. While living in Haiti, Roobens was always interested in learning computer skills but they were too expensive. He decided to take advantage of this opportunity that Juventud de Hoy and OSF offered to the community and became the star student of the center. Roobens is an inspirational young man who would love to help his family and the community. He states that “when you wish for something, it is possible for that something to happen and to always take advantage of opportunities.” Thank you OSF community for continuing to inspire and bring hope to the lives of students like Roobens. To learn more or to donate, visit: www.osf.org/donate .
Orphaned Starfish Foundation Donors, Addy Loudiadis & Gonzalo Chocano, with Andy Stein
By OSF Team 30 Aug, 2023
Orphaned Starfish Foundation interview with donors Addy Loudiadis & Gonzalo Chocano. Addy & Gonzalo are London-based supporters of the Orphaned Starfish Foundation since 2020 after learning about OSF through a feature on CNN for Freedom Project. Since joining the OSF family, they have traveled to Africa and South America to visit OSF tech centers in Peru, Ethiopia, and Kenya. In 2022, Addy & Gonzalo were recognized as Honorees for our Annual Gala in NYC for their outstanding support and contributions. They have a heart and passion for the work OSF does and we could not be more grateful to have them in our corner. Below are some insights from Addy & Gonzalo on OSF.
HELO HAITI STARFISH STORIES
By Elisabeth Kennedy 14 Aug, 2023
How did you get involved with OSF? / How did OSF begin in your community? This is a funny story. I met Andy by chance, through a friend. Allison Mead had travelled to Haiti with me several times and still sponsors one of our girls, Mydelie. After one of her trips, she was visiting a friend in the hospital and expressed her frustration/wish to be able to communicate with Mydelie via internet, but there was no internet in Laborde. Allison's friend replied, "You have to meet my friend Andy!"
A Story of Perseverance and Hope thankful young woman
By Karla Osorio 23 Mar, 2023
The Orphaned Starfish Foundation (at the time of this writing) serves 18,000 vulnerable, yet deserving, students – all with grippingly difficult backgrounds, but also stories that highlight their humanness and likeness to another, and how technology education plays an impactful role in their lasting personal and professional development. These are stories of hardship, difficulties, pain, and also triumph, hopes and dreams.
Andy Stein opens first LGBTQI Center in RIo de Janeiro
By Andy Stein 15 Dec, 2021
On December 7th, 2021, Gilmara and Orphaned Starfish Foundation inaugurated the Conexão G computer center, dedicated to the LGBTQI+ community in Favela Mare, the first ever such center developed in any favela in Brazil. It was a magical day!
Smiling young man
By Andy Stein 20 May, 2020
The most unforeseen result of the COVID-19 pandemic amongst the students, and their families, we serve around the globe has been the loss of support for food, basic necessities and PPE. We at Orphaned Starfish have stepped up to provide additional support to many of our programs most in need, providing food & necessary supply baskets (aka canastas or cestas depending where in the world you are) to hundreds of children and families around the world. I could not be prouder of the teachers and program directors we work with for finding creative ways to distribute this lifesaving supplies we are funding. Some of the greatest pictures I have received since the start of the COVID-19 crisis have been from the recipients of these packages and I would love to share a few:
Children asking for help with signs
By Andy Stein 18 May, 2020
This is an incredibly emotional time for all of us at Orphaned Starfish and there is a great deal of anxiety amongst our children and the program directors in all of our twenty-nine countries, including here in the United States. We are continuing to look to the future and I personally cannot wait until I am able to hug thousands of children again to chants of Tio Andy. However, for now, there are immediate problems that we can solve.
Children asking for help and holding signs
By Andy Stein 06 Apr, 2020
This is an incredibly emotional time for all of us at Orphaned Starfish and there is a great deal of anxiety amongst our children and the program directors in all twenty-nine countries we serve, including here in the United States. We continue to look towards the hopeful future when our computer centers are all back in full-time operation and the students’ needs are those of studying, preparing to enter the university and beginning their jobs. I, personally, cannot wait until I am able to hug thousands of children again to chants of Tio Andy. However, for now, there are immediate problems that we can solve.
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