Video: DIRECTV Mas Launches Proyecto Esperanza Benefiting The Orphaned Starfish Foundation

Video: DIRECTV Mas Launches Proyecto Esperanza Benefiting The Orphaned Starfish Foundation

Latin Superstar and Philanthropist Charytin Serves as Ambassador and Kicks off the Campaign at the Orfanato Ninos De Cristo in the Dominican Republic

LA ROMANA, Dominican Republic, June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- DIRECTV Mas(TM), DIRECTV's Spanish-language programming service, is launching Proyecto Esperanza (Project Hope), an advertising and PSA campaign aimed at Hispanics in the United States that calls out the plight of orphans in the Caribbean and Latin America. The television campaign will feature Latin superstar Charytin and give people around the country an opportunity to sign up for DIRECTV Mas through a dedicated telephone number and support The Orphaned Starfish Foundation.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/directv/38518/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090604/NY27823)

Since its inception, DIRECTV Mas has set a goal of being a part of the fabric of all U.S. Hispanic households by transporting its viewers to their homelands through the most extensive programming lineup from Latin America and the Caribbean.

To further this goal, DIRECTV Mas is supporting The Orphaned Starfish Foundation and its dedication to working with orphans and disadvantaged children throughout the Caribbean and Latin America -- a region that U.S. Hispanics care deeply about, because for most, it is a place they once called home.

"The work of The Orphaned Starfish Foundation is truly remarkable," said John De Armas, vice president, WorldDirect. "Its goal to foster lasting change in the lives of these children, in a region that both our customers and our programmers care very much about, motivated us to create a mechanism by which Hispanics here in the United States could help support this very honorable cause. Just look around you. These kids in the Dominican Republic and throughout Latin America deserve an opportunity to succeed."

Latin Superstar Charytin will serve as the spokesperson on behalf of DIRECTV Mas for the Proyecto Esperanza campaign. Charytin will star in a series of commercials and public service announcements calling attention to the plight of these children and letting people know how they can help.

"I am honored to be the ambassador/spokesperson for Proyecto Esperanza. I have children of my own and know first-hand the importance of a good education," said Charytin. "Being able to see first hand the work The Orphaned Starfish Foundation is doing, gives me great hope for the future of these children and thousands of others throughout Latin America."

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation was founded on the belief that education is a supremely important method of saving orphans from the cycle of poverty. Since its inception, The Orphaned Starfish Foundation has funded the construction and operation of vocational training facilities in several orphanages and homes for disadvantaged children in Latin America, including funding for furnishings, required equipment, trainer salaries, and job placement service. The Orphaned Starfish Foundation is a completely volunteer-run organization and currently supports 17 projects in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.

"We are grateful and thrilled for the opportunity of working together with DIRECTV Mas" said Andrew Stein, chairman and president of The Orphaned Starfish Foundation. "This will allow us to continue to expand our ability to touch the lives of so many young people who desperately need our help and support. Our mission to educate and provide lifelong skills to help them end the cycle of poverty, will now be significantly enhanced."

About DirecTV Mas(TM)

DIRECTV Mas(TM) offers the widest array of Spanish and English-language programming available and the latest satellite technology, all combined to provide viewers with digital-quality picture and sound at competitive prices. The service provides access to more than 55 Spanish-language channels including top programming from Mexico, Central and South America, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Spain. DIRECTV Mas(TM) programming offers sports, movies, music, news and educational networks, and access to more than 230 English-language channels of DIRECTV(R) programming, featuring the largest selection of pay per view choices and sports programming available. To sign up for DIRECTV Mas(TM) and support The Orphaned Starfish Foundation please call 888-222-8241.

About The Orphaned Starfish Foundation

The Orphaned Starfish Foundation was founded on the belief that education is supremely important and the most likely path out of the poverty trap. When children are educated, they tend to grow up to be more productive. When people are more productive, they tend to earn more income. And when people earn more income, they have a better chance to escape or avoid poverty. Since its inception, the foundation has funded the construction and operation of vocational training facilities in several orphanages and homes for disadvantaged children in Latin America, including funding for furnishings, required equipment, trainer salaries, and job placement service. The foundation is a completely volunteer run organization and currently supports seventeen projects in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. For more information visit www.orphanedstarfish.org.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090604/NY27823Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/directv/38518
Source: DIRECTV Mas(TM)

CONTACT: Diana Delgado of Hispanic USA, +1-305-441-5334,
diana@hispanicusa.net; or Naomi K. Rodriguez of DIRECTV, Inc.,
+1-310-964-4821, nkrodriguez@directv.com

Web Site: http://www.orphanedstarfish.org/

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