About the Foundation
YaraStar Foundation exists for children who are too often passed over — children with special needs, and children growing up without the educational opportunities they deserve. We were founded in honour of Yara, a little girl who showed us, in her three years and nine months of life, exactly what a child can do when someone believes in them.
We come alongside families who are doing their best with very little — raising children with developmental delays or disabilities, often with limited access to therapy, support, or information about what is actually possible. Through scholarships, therapy access, and inclusive programming, we help families sustain the work that changes a child's trajectory. We also support schools and care centres in under-resourced communities, and programs that serve widows and orphans.
This work is rooted in our faith. We believe every child carries a unique light — their God-given gift, and that serving them is part of our calling. That conviction is what gets us up in the morning — and it is what we see reflected back in every child whose story we have been trusted to support.
We are not here to rescue. We are here to make room.
our mission
Our mission is to make room for children with special needs and those facing educational poverty — so their gifts can grow, their families can sustain the work, and their futures remain possible. We do this through scholarships, therapy access, and inclusive programs, guided by faith and the conviction that every child's light is worth protecting.
Yara’s Story
Yara means small butterfly — and also strength, courage, and power. Both meanings suited her.
She was born on July 5, 2014, and received a diagnosis of Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) shortly after birth. The first year of her life included two surgeries: one at three days old to clear an intestinal constriction, and a second at five months to repair a significant hole in her heart. She came through both.
After those early months, Yara's health steadied. She grew. She learned. Her family describes watching her development as one of the most instructive experiences of their lives — because when progress comes slowly, you see every step of it.
What Yara Taught Her Family
By the time Yara was three years old, working with specialists at Doman International, she was reading and comprehending material at the level of a seven or eight-year-old. Her parents didn't fully appreciate what that meant until they were inside it.
"The beauty of watching Yara grow in slow motion revealed to us how amazing God is. The things we took for granted with the development of a typical child — we got to see how much effort it took for her to achieve."— Rajeev and Jaynia Samaroo, Founders
She read books on engineering, science, geography, and world history. She could identify monuments, presidents, and composers. She understood the water cycle, buoyancy, and photosynthesis. She communicated in sign language — often more fluently than her parents. She did addition and subtraction. She loved animals, especially the ones that made her laugh.
She was also never to be outdone yet always supported by her big sister Arya.
Yara Visiting Historical Site: Thursday March 29, 2018
How Yara’s Life Shaped the Foundation
Yara passed away on April 1, 2018 — Easter Sunday — three months before her fourth birthday. An undetected intestinal issue, discovered while the family was travelling, took her quickly.
In the years before she died, her parents had been introduced to a world they had not known existed. A world where children spend months in ICUs. Where adults with multiple university degrees cannot move most of their body or speak in a way most people recognize. Where learning to lift a finger takes months of daily work, and is worth celebrating just as loudly as anything else.
Yara showed them what a child can do when they are given the tools, the time, and someone who refuses to set a ceiling on them. That is the Foundation she left behind.
See Her For Yourself
Meet the Founders & Directors
Rajeev and Jaynia Samaroo are Yara's parents. Both carry Caribbean roots and global footprints — Rajeev from Trinidad and Tobago, Jaynia from Jamaica. They launched YaraStar in 2022, and they lead it with the particular clarity that comes from having lived inside the world they are working to change.
Jaynia Samaroo
President & Director
As Yara’s mother, Jaynia’s experience raising and teaching her shaped a deeply held belief that every child has inherent value and potential, and deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. She holds a BSc in Industrial Engineering and an MBA, with a professional background in Corporate Development, training and Supply Chain Management. Jaynia is also the founder of Jamaican Sinting and YaadLinggo, educational platforms dedicated to preserving and teaching Jamaican language and culture.
Rajeev Samaroo
Secretary & Director
Rajeev is Technical Subject Matter Expert in the Oil & Gas Industry with more than 20 years of global experience. He holds a B.Sc. and MSc in Engineering and an MBA in Marketing. What drives his involvement in YaraStar is simpler than any credential: as Yara’s father, he wants to see children with disabilities exceed what the world has decided to expect from them.
SHARLA MATTHEW
Director
Sharla brings over 15 years of experience in the Oil & Gas sector, with a professional background in Technology and an MSc in Health and Safety. Her career has equipped her with extensive experience working within complex professional environments while maintaining a strong commitment to people and service.
A wife and mother of four, Sharla is guided by her Christian faith and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Her commitment to serving through YaraStar reflects her belief in compassion, purpose and helping others experience the transformative impact of care, community and God’s grace.
MELODY EICKMANN
Director
Melody is a preschool teacher with a background in Special Education and a deep connection to the Down syndrome community, both professionally and personally. Her experience working with children gives her a practical understanding of their individual strengths, potential and the support they need to thrive.
A wife and mother, Melody’s Christian faith is central to her life and shapes her commitment to serving others with compassion and purpose. She brings to YaraStar her experience as an educator, her understanding of children with special needs, and a strong belief in creating opportunities for every child to learn, grow and reach their potential.
amanda cano
Director - Treasured Talents Camp
Amanda is a special educator and certified Dyslexia Intervention provider with a Master’s in Education. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating supportive learning environments where children who learn differently are empowered to recognize their strengths, build confidence and experience success.
Amanda’s Christian faith is central to her approach to education and service, shaping her belief that every child should know they are seen, valued and created with purpose. She brings to YaraStar her expertise in specialized education, her understanding of diverse learning needs, and a commitment to helping every child discover what they are capable of achieving.
janille mcdowell
Director
Janille is a PMP-certified Program Manager with experience leading complex healthcare initiatives and bringing people, ideas and resources together around a shared vision. She is also a coach and founder of Motivating the Mind, where she helps women strengthen their identity, renew their thinking and live with greater purpose.
A wife and mother of two, Janille’s Christian faith is central to how she lives, leads and serves, shaping her commitment to compassion, integrity and using her gifts to positively impact others. YaraStar holds a particularly personal place in her heart, as Yara was family. Janille brings her strengths in leadership, program management, strategic planning, coaching and community building to support YaraStar’s mission, help carry Yara’s legacy forward, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families.