Impact Statement

 

MISSION STATEMENT

To be a premier means for at-risk Ecuadorian youth to achieve a post-secondary education.

 

VISION STATEMENT

A community where underprivileged Latin American youth are empowered to create a better future for themselves through continuing education.

 

DEFINING THE PROBLEM 

Some Ecuadorian families living in poverty find it difficult to provide the necessary school supplies for their children that are enrolled in school, while also meeting the financial obligations of their households. The result is that many poor Ecuadorian children are not completing their primary and secondary education.

  • Ecuador is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with a poverty rate of 23%.

  • It is estimated there are 1.5 million people living in poverty in Ecuador’s urban areas.

  • Most of the poverty is due to low education levels, trouble with employment, and very low rates of labor.

 

Poverty impacts youth education

  • Only 57% of primary-school-age children in Ecuador are enrolled in school. (Ecuador National Education Profile)

  • These children are at risk of being exploited, getting married early, and earning less income.

 

Financial barriers for children served by Starfish

  • Starfish finds that many of its students' families in Guayaquil, Ecuador have an average size of 5.29 people with an average family monthly income of $374 (USD).

  • Public schools in Ecuador are free, but families often struggle to provide the necessary school materials, such as books, uniforms, and other supplies, while living on minimum wage.

  • The public school system provides books in basic subjects like math and language arts, but students have to purchase books for other classes.

  • Public schools also require students to have three uniforms that families must buy.

  • Impoverished families, sometimes, decide that the easiest solution is for children not to go to school.

 

DESCRIBING THE SOLUTION

Starfish sees education as a solution and a catalyst for the future success of students and their communities. In 2021-2022, Starfish worked with 102 students from 84 families; 68 of these students received scholarships.

  • Starfish provides education and supportive services to impoverished Ecuadorian communities to help at-risk students achieve academically.

  • Starfish coordinates three education programs for children, living at or below the poverty line, in Guayaquil’s neighborhoods of Guasmo and Flor de Bastión.

 

Starfish’s programs (scholarships, tutoring, and leadership development) serve students ages 11-18 until they complete secondary school education. 

  • Scholarships provide students with the books, uniforms, and materials required by schools. Students earn scholarships based on participation in the tutoring program, motivation to study, and economic need.

  • The tutoring program provides scholarship students with two-hour sessions focused on critical thinking. Other neighborhood students can participate to obtain academic help and the chance to earn a scholarship the following year.

  • Leadership development provides students community service opportunities and leadership development workshops. Students volunteer at shelters, participate in community clean-ups and in/leading teamwork and leadership activities, and help other students.

  • Starfish also addresses other factors limiting student achievement: hunger, behavioral problems/issues at home, and access to technology. Starfish provides nutritious snacks at tutoring sessions; delivers counseling/parent involvement programs with its staff psychologist; and offers Internet, computers, and printing services to help students submit/complete homework online.

 

SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM GOALS

Short-term goals are to provide education and support services that help at-risk youth in Ecuador’s Guayaquil’s neighborhood of Flor de Bastión improve school attendance, improve grades, increase parent involvement, and return to the program the following years until students graduate from secondary school.

Long-term goals are to ensure that Ecuadorian at-risk youth achieve a post-secondary education.

KEY IMPACT METRICS

Since its inception, Starfish has seen continual increase in its key impact metrics. Starfish evaluates its success by examining:

  • Students’ academic grades in school

  • Program attendance

  • Number of returning students

  • Number of scholarship applicants each year

 

Starfish has focused on student academic grades and critical thinking.

  • In 2016-2017, Starfish implemented a grading system and new curricula focused on critical thinking. In addition, students who receive a scholarship from Starfish must achieve a B average at their school by the end of their first year with Starfish in order to continue earning a scholarship.

  • In 2017-2018, 70% of students earned an A or B average at their school.

  • In 2018-2019, 97% of students earned an A or B average at their school. 15% of students earned an A average at their school. 45% of students earned an A average at Starfish.

  • In 2019-2020, 23% of students earned an A average at their school. 71% of students earned an A average at Starfish.

  • In 2020-2021, 100% of students studied virtually and remained enrolled in school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • In 2021-2022, 68% of students earned an A or B average at their school during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starfish has experienced exceptional student program attendance, with a rate of 86% attendance or higher since 2013-2014.

The majority of students return to Starfish each year.

  • 19 of the students we worked with in 2021-2022 graduated from high school at the end of the academic year, comprising our largest graduating class to date. 100% of the remaining students stayed in school and are re-enrolled for the 2022-2023 academic year, joined by 22 new students.

  • Non-scholars receive tutoring and leadership development, but not scholarships.

  • All recently graduated students are invited to continue to support Starfish's programs as volunteers.