About Us

Sharon first visited Haiti in 1998 and has never looked back. By 2004 Starthrower Foundation was registered as a Canadian Charity with a (rental) home of its own in Cap-Hatien. In 2011, we purchased land and began to build our Sen Rafayel drop-in centre (Lakay Jasmine). In 2015, we moved out of the rental home and into our permanent headquarters in Cap-Hatien (Lakay Fondasyon).

If you have followed Starthrower, you know the litany of challenges we face in Haiti, from disease-bearing mosquitoes, to scorching dry spells and unbelievable flooding from hurricanes and just rain. You know about hunger … real, debilitating, death-bringing malnutrition and dehydration. You know that schools and hospitals are frequently on strike and we have received death threats in the village forcing temporary closure of our drop-in centre to keep everyone safe.

But something has kept me here for decades. And this is the something … the words and actions of the courageous young people we serve and the amazing sponsors who stick with these kids and don’t give up because they fail a year or get sick and have to drop out for a term or a year!

I want to share parts of a letter from another student, Camiose, because this is what every dollar we receive does — it brings hope and helps a student move a little closer to their goal, their dream.

[Dated Nov. 30, 2017 Translated from Kreyol]

“It is with pleasure I write this letter. I would like to thank you but I don’t have the means to say it properly.
I remember when I was in Grade 9..sadly I failed but you and all sponsors who were not my parents or my family stayed with me for 6 years of high school and four years of university.
I will never stop being thankful or saying thank you. When I was sick and in the hospital you all still stayed with me, didn’t give up on me along the way.
I especially thank foundation staff who gave so much support (service).
Special thanks to sponsors Cathy and Ian who stayed with me from 2012 to 2017. For 10 years the foundation was with me. Nov 24 2017 was a great day … the moment of graduation. I succeeded thanks to Cathy and Ian. Director Auguste accompanied me that day.
To everyone who contributed to my studies I wish I could say thank you face to face.
In closing, I can’t find the right words, the expression, the language to properly thank everyone who helped an unknown Haitian student.
Blessings to everyone who gave me a chance to arrive at this place. Thank you again …”
Camiose (2017 Graduate of Nursing Program)

BECOMING STARTHROWER

Sharon’s story in Haiti began in 1998 and twenty-five years plus later she is still making regular trips down to her ‘family’. The article below was written in 2010 to recognize her journey.

Click here to enjoy the “In the Hills” magazine article about Sharon Gaskell for their 2010 Local heros profiles. By Jeff Rollings, photograph by Pete Paterson.

About Us

BECOMING STARTHROWER

Sharon’s story in Haiti began in 1998 and twenty-five years plus later she is still making regular trips down to her ‘family’. The article below was written in 2010 to recognize her journey.

Click here to enjoy the “In the Hills” magazine article about Sharon Gaskell for their 2010 Local heros profiles. By Jeff Rollings, photograph by Pete Paterson.

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