The starfish story
Many thousands of starfish were washed ashore after a violent storm. A young boy was gently tossing them back into the sea one by one. "You're wasting your time son," said a passer-by, "you’ll never save them all."
"Oh I know," replied the boy as he tossed in a few more, "but I can save this one… and this one…"
Our Mission
Asterias* is a Christian organisation dedicated to saving people in Kenya who have been stranded and have little hope without our help. One by one they can be saved…
*The Latin name of the Common Starfish (in UK waters) is Asterias rubens.
What can you get for less than 70p per day?
Not a lot you may reply. But for this lowly sum it is possible to sponsor a child's education in Kenya.
Asterias Youth Development Officer, Rachel Boyle, working in partnership with our Kenyan Representative Ann Muli and the Management Team of Karai Home and School, has put together a package that will make a vast difference to children in Kenya.
Karai Home and School was formerly known as Sugoi Children's Home situated in Eldoret, Kenya. Founded 10 years ago it had 30 children and consisted of a primary school, dormitories and a kitchen. In 2007 there were tribal clashes in Western Kenya particularly in Eldoret. As a consequence the children's home was destroyed leaving many children homeless. These children found refuge in a local Presbyterian Church and lived in tents within the church grounds for 8 months.
In 2008 under the auspices of the Outreach Foundation of the PC(US) and a German Lutheran Church a home was established for these children, in Karai. The facility is currently caring for 162 children and young people, many of whom were traumatised by the events during the civil unrest in 2007. Many are orphans or street children, some are from one parent families. The school had limited classroom facilities but Asterias funded and built 4 additional classrooms in 2009. These are being used as a Vocational School to prepare students for jobs such as carpentry, masonry tailoring etc.
How does Child Sponsorship work?
Asterias child sponsorship costs just £20 per month which is less than 70p per day. The whole £20 goes to the children of Karai to contribute towards schooling, daily meals and medical fees. Asterias as an organisation will cover the cost of administration fees, ensuring that all of your £20 reaches the children.
In return you will receive a photograph of your child and information about them including their date of birth, interests and ambitions. You will receive an updated photograph and a letter from your sponsored child twice a year. You may also reply in writing to your child. All photos and letters will be scanned and emailed between Kenya and Northern Ireland in order to keep administration costs to a minimum and to ensure that they arrive quickly and safely.
If you wish, additional money gift donations can be made at Christmas time to The Asterias Organisation, who will ensure that your child benefits from this by receiving a Christmas gift. Methods of payment include cash, cheque or standing order and can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
For more information, please email Rachel at rachel.boyle@asterias.org.
Mobile Phones
Do you have old mobile phones which could be recycled? Working order or not, each could raise £3 for Asterias and the people of Kenya. Perhaps you would like to put a box in your school, university, workplace or church to collect them, instead of them collecting dust in people's homes? Then you can contact Asterias for them to be collected and sent on their journey to be recycled into a new creation! Make those old mobile phones feel like they have some worth again and get collecting! Prizes available for those who reach the target of 100 phones! For posters or collection, contact rachel.boyle@asterias.org.
Asterias derives its income from voluntary contributions and donations from people in Northern Ireland and beyond who share its aims of providing spiritual and practical support to the people of Kenya. Asterias also runs a series of fund-raising events to raise both the profile of the Organisation and funds to support its work in Kenya.
Asterias is now a member of Mission Agencies Partnership (MAP)