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Thank you for following the link to our Starfish page. For some years the company has worked to help the Starfish Foundation Charity. The aim of the charity is to help impoverished people in the third world. Young women in India, faced with a life in the sex trade and South African children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their country are some of the recipients. Starfish aims to provide these children with the support and help they need to understand another way. By providing the education required, shelter, and compassion Starfish hopes to mend the sometimes broken lives of innocent children in the poorest communities around the world.
The Starfish Parable
An old man had a habit of early morning walks on the beach. One day, as he looked along the shore, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. As he came closer he saw that it was a young woman and she was not dancing but was reaching down to the sand, picking up starfish and very gently throwing them into the ocean.
"Young lady", he asked, "Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die."
"But young lady, do you not realise that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it? You cannot possibly make a difference."
The young woman listened politely, paused and then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves, saying:
"It made a difference for that one."
Adapted from the story "The Star Thrower" by Loren Eiseley
A Little about Starfish
Starfish was founded in London, England by a group of young South Africans and
their friends in 2001. The brutal truth is that South Africa is experiencing an
AIDS epidemic of shattering dimensions: by one estimate, AIDS is South Africa's
biggest single killer, and may kill as many as 7 million people between now and
2010, unless contained. But even if the disease were contained, it will leave in
its wake a seemingly overwhelming problem - the challenge of raising and caring
for thousands of orphans. It is this challenge that has inspired the formation
of Starfish. Motivated by our founding parable, Starfish believes that each
of us can make a difference to the lives of the children of South Africa
orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS. By challenging perspectives and beliefs,
Starfish seeks to mobilise (and inspire!) individuals in their various fields of
influence to bring life, hope and opportunity to these children and their
communities. In this way, Starfish is developing a global community – a
community heightened in its awareness of the problems of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,
and determined to overcome them. Starfish Greathearts Foundation is registered
as a charity in England and Wales (Registered Charity Number: 1093862) and has
offices and operations in South Africa. However, Starfish supporters live in all
parts of the world – anyone, anywhere can ‘pick up a starfish’ and make a
difference!
We hope that by clicking on the link from the Starfish banner above you will become one of the hundreds of people sharing in our common commitment to help these struggling communities.
Along with many thousands of pounds we have also donated our time, expertise and help with the logistics of the opening of Starfish in India, a school for young women with full access to interactive self teaching facilities. We also have helped with the provision and setup of the first UK mobile classroom to bring further awareness about Starfish in our country. The Starfish classroom will travel the UK extensively and be presented at schools, fetes, festivals and anywhere that will benefit the ongoing effort to bring more support for Starfish.
Below are some photographs of the Starfish opening ceremony in India, along with a view of the mobile classroom. We have been involved also on the fundraising front for Starfish. A visit to 10 Downing Street in April 2003 to meet with Cherie Blair QC, and also to Highgrove House in June 2003 to meet with HRH Prince Charles. Reynold Peterson Snr comments " We are determined to give our full and continued support to Starfish, so that they can continue to make a difference ", and adds " We have been in touch with many larger organizations to get involved with Starfish, one such encounter was with Bill Gates of Microsoft Corporation, at the time I was in India for the opening of Starfish, but he was also their to promote his companies own charity work. I managed to get in touch with him and now Starfish have officially received a letter of interest from Mr. Gates/Microsoft. Chelsea Clinton has also pledged her support to us, so we feel that we are definitely getting the recognition we need. We also believe that Nelson Mandela will support the upcoming Starfish opening in South Africa".
Pictorial
Reynold Snr with HRH The Prince of Wales
Reynold Snr with Cherie Blair QC and Mrs. Helen Taylor Thompson MBE, Chairman of Starfish
Chatting with Sister Lily, 10 Downing St
The Launch Party in India with Mrs. Helen Taylor Thompson MBE
Some of the beneficiaries of Starfish, The Sisters of the Cross.
