the fASTER fund
Donation protected
"the fASTER fund" benefits Aster Degaro's community and her school in rural Ethiopia. One day it may grow to benefit other rural Ethiopian communities in need. Please help us make a difference.
Who is Aster Degaro?
She is a delightful 14 year old girl from Keke, Ethiopia who was born with a disfiguring tumor on her neck. For 13 years this tumor continued to grow and would ultimately have led to her demise. Also heart wrenching is the way she was perceived and treated in her community. She was ostracized and considered "bad luck" by all except for her loving family and one little boy who came over to play. She could not attend school because of the stigma associated with her condition.
Before reading any further, please watch the following clip produced by Tyler Stableford Photography and Film www.tylerstableford.com.
http://youtu.be/PvF7sm5EVdg
Medical volunteers on a surgical mission to southern Ethiopia through Wide Horizons for Children (WHFC) in 2010 met Aster when she presented at their clinic hoping for a cure. The team, including Fletch, Stephan, Jim, Jenna and Carrie, determined that surgery could not be safely performed in Ethiopia and efforts were then made to arrange for surgery elsewhere. It took 3 years and many people's efforts but finally, with the help of WHFC www.whfc.org and Little Baby Face Foundation www.littlebabyface.org, the 7 pound benign teratoma was removed from Aster's neck without complications by a highly skilled team of surgeons at Cohen Children's Medical Center in Hyde Park, NY on September 11,2013. She recovered quickly with the support of old friends and new from both NYC and beyond and happily returned to her village in Ethiopia.
We are pleased to report that Aster's dream to go to school has been fulfilled, as she is enrolled in school for the first time in her life. We will be following her progress. May her dreams continue to come true.
This fund was inspired by Aster's story and started by Jim's son, Michael, and Mrs. Star's fourth grade class at the Fenn School www.fenn.org. The boys have been raising funds through rainbow loom bracelet sales. They plan to support Aster's community in her name, to encourage the opportunities that every child deserves. They would like Aster to be "seen" simply for the person she has always been, a beautiful girl full of life who reveals courage, kindness and joy to those fortunate enough to know her.
Maybe someday, because of Aster's gift, these boys will do something even bigger, much bigger. Maybe they will be able to help more kids like Aster and support more communities in rural Ethiopia.
We all appreciate your consideration and donation.
Thank you.
www.fASTER911.wordpress.com
Who is Aster Degaro?
She is a delightful 14 year old girl from Keke, Ethiopia who was born with a disfiguring tumor on her neck. For 13 years this tumor continued to grow and would ultimately have led to her demise. Also heart wrenching is the way she was perceived and treated in her community. She was ostracized and considered "bad luck" by all except for her loving family and one little boy who came over to play. She could not attend school because of the stigma associated with her condition.
Before reading any further, please watch the following clip produced by Tyler Stableford Photography and Film www.tylerstableford.com.
http://youtu.be/PvF7sm5EVdg
Medical volunteers on a surgical mission to southern Ethiopia through Wide Horizons for Children (WHFC) in 2010 met Aster when she presented at their clinic hoping for a cure. The team, including Fletch, Stephan, Jim, Jenna and Carrie, determined that surgery could not be safely performed in Ethiopia and efforts were then made to arrange for surgery elsewhere. It took 3 years and many people's efforts but finally, with the help of WHFC www.whfc.org and Little Baby Face Foundation www.littlebabyface.org, the 7 pound benign teratoma was removed from Aster's neck without complications by a highly skilled team of surgeons at Cohen Children's Medical Center in Hyde Park, NY on September 11,2013. She recovered quickly with the support of old friends and new from both NYC and beyond and happily returned to her village in Ethiopia.
We are pleased to report that Aster's dream to go to school has been fulfilled, as she is enrolled in school for the first time in her life. We will be following her progress. May her dreams continue to come true.
This fund was inspired by Aster's story and started by Jim's son, Michael, and Mrs. Star's fourth grade class at the Fenn School www.fenn.org. The boys have been raising funds through rainbow loom bracelet sales. They plan to support Aster's community in her name, to encourage the opportunities that every child deserves. They would like Aster to be "seen" simply for the person she has always been, a beautiful girl full of life who reveals courage, kindness and joy to those fortunate enough to know her.
Maybe someday, because of Aster's gift, these boys will do something even bigger, much bigger. Maybe they will be able to help more kids like Aster and support more communities in rural Ethiopia.
We all appreciate your consideration and donation.
Thank you.
www.fASTER911.wordpress.com
Organizer
Carol Jannetta
Organizer
Dover, MA
