Sharon GaskellPresident and Founding Director
Former teacher and youth minister, Sharon founded Starthrower Foundation (STF) in 1998 as a registered Canadian charity and has been dividing her time between Canada and Haiti ever since. When in Canada, she is available to give talks to schools or groups. In Haiti, STF supports orphaned teens and young adults to complete their high school education and have the potential to go on to post secondary settings: university, college or trade schools.
Our Mission
At Starthrower Foundation, we believe in empowering teens and young adults in Cap-Haïtien and the nearby mountain village of St-Raphaël, Haiti, by opening doors to higher education and offering a hand up, not a handout. Through community generosity, we support students from secondary school through university and apprenticeships, ensuring they have the essentials—safe housing, food, healthcare, guidance, and tutoring—to thrive.
We encourage individuals and groups to join us in supporting these resilient young people as they pursue brighter futures.
Tuition is paid out of general funds (donations) but we also offer individual sponsorships. Our students need hearts and hands to join them on their journey of growth, discovery and possibility.
The Starthrower Story
The Starthrower Foundation takes its inspiration from the Loren Eiseley story:
The Star Thrower
A man was walking on the beach one day and noticed a boy who was reaching down, picking up a starfish and throwing it in the ocean. As he approached, he called out, “Hello! What are you doing?” The boy looked up and said, “I’m throwing starfish into the ocean”. “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the man. “The tide stranded them. If I don’t throw them in the water before the sun comes up, they’ll die” came the answer. “Surely you realize that there are miles of beach, and thousands of starfish. You’ll never throw them all back, there are too many. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The boy listened politely, then picked up another starfish. As he threw it back into the sea, he said, “It made a difference for that one.”
Our Values
1. RESPECT for the dignity and goodness of each person as unique. Starthrower Foundation will demonstrate flexibility in its dealings with those we serve.
2. RESPECT for the capacity of each of us to embrace the challenge of human existence. We encourage those we serve to take responsibility for their own lives and empower them to make informed choices.
3. A FIRM CONVICTION that out of poverty comes creativity, new life and growth. We reach out, recognizing the poor are not in need of ‘fixing’, ‘saving’ or ‘rescuing’. Growth comes from journeying with those we serve, not in doing for them.
4. The importance of EDUCATION as the key to change. Education takes many forms. We pursue opportunities for students at secondary school, university, apprenticeships, as well as special education for those with learning challenges.
