Lopez family has three children. The eldest is José, 8 years. He is relatively prosperous. His younger sisters Julineiys, 5 years, and Yesica, 4 years, however, are small in stature and malnourished. They both go to the small feeding centre Villa Gloria daily to get themselves a proper meal.

Julineiys and her sister Yescia hanging on the lock to the cafeteria for half an hour before it opened. They stand first in line as usual. The other bigger kids are also hungry but know that Julineiys and Yesica has been particularly difficult.

—    It's the only food we usually get, mom cook once a week, says Julineiys with feeble voice as she monitors their place in the queue.
She is very small in stature and looks very fragile out. It is believed she will fall together at any moment. Julineiys Nayibis mother says that she is very thankful to feeding centre Villa Gloria. Without it, the kids feel even worse, since there is seldom cooked food at the family home.

After school usually Julineiys play with her ??sister, often playing those with a small kitchen set in plastic.

—    We play that we cook the meat, says Julineiys. Meat is good but it is seldom that we eat it at home.

Although the future looks pretty dark and gloomy for young Julineiys so happy she dreams about it. She says that she wants to become a doctor so she can heal the sick and make sure they do not go hungry.

The sound level of feeding centre is high. Before the food is served to the children sing and pray grace together. When the food comes in so throw Julineiys itself rice and salad. She has not eaten since yesterday she says with a little smile. She finished first of all children and stops the banana in your pocket.

—    I save it for dinner tonight, she concludes with a smiling.

The armed and violent conflict in Colombia has been going for 50 years. Right now, peace negotiations are ongoing betwwen left guerrilla group FARC and the Colombian State on neutral ground in Cuba's capital Havana. It goes not so well, according to most experts. Hopefully there can be a sustainable agreement reached soon, although most think it can take time.

The conflict has killed a quarter of million people and there are approximately 4-5 million Internally Displaced People (IDPs). I have meet several families that are displaced in their own country. Many sad stories. One of the families was José and Nayibis Lopez and their three children, who were forced to flee three times.

They were forced to flee in 2002 from the small community Fundacias Magdalena when paramilitary groups alleged that the family worked with the FARC. José and Nayibis were threatened to death and had no choice but to pack up and flee. They were forced to flee twice agan in similar circumstances before they ended up in Villa Gloria outside the Colombian coastal city of Cartagena.

The family lives in a small borrowed poorly built wooden shed of about ten square meters. It has two beds, a fan and a TV. Along the walls above the beds hangs clothes and toys. Outside the small room is a small space without a roof where they cook.

Mom Nayibis told me that during the dry season it is fine but when the rainy season comes, the soil in and around the house is partially under water which made it very difficult. After many years without a job José finally get a job as a motorcycle taxi driver. It is good for the poor family, who lived very scant and poorly since they fled the first time.

BE A SPONSOR TODAY

 february 24, 2013: Star of Hope Haiti receive mission team of 4 men from Kansas to help as volunteer  reinforce new school roof  structure of Jeanton to resist better of hurricanes wind.  they will strengthen tresses and lattes using hurricane-ties and adding more wood attach. They will have also privilege to meet 300 hundreds school staff and children in  Jeanton kids to talk about Jesus. It is a blessing for Star of Hope development works in Haiti. Pray for them .
tony

Of Haiti’s 9 million inhabitants about half is under 20 years of age. The life expectancy is 53 years for men and 56 for women. Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. The living conditions, with unemployment around 70% and a totally inadequate healthcare system makes death physically present and a natural part of everyday life.

To get an education is getting more important. Please help Star of Hope give more children a good start in life. We need more sponsors for the kids that we are trying to help. Maybe you can be a sponsor as well? Thank you!

 BE A SPONSOR RIGHT NOW

This is a amazing day! The people here have been so gracious and full of life. The fellowship with the guys on this trip have been a true look into the hearts of other brothers in Christ..We went too look at the work needing done at the school, and the Lord  had to humble my heart into remining me that this was not about me only about him..THANK YOU  Star of Hope foer allowing to find  this feeling. But prasise be to GOD for allowing me too grow in this part of my heart and soul. RICK S. 2/24/2013

In Dano village in Haiti the village leader is also the pastor at the local church. Mr. Wallas is a busy man of God, he has also a big heart and always in a good mood. He fights hard to do the very best for the villagers, the children and the elderly. If not preaching the good word he is out doing good works.

His personality encourages the people to help others in the village and he is always ready to step in and do the work himself if needed.

Here are some pictures from a service after the flooding in 2008: