Form990-EZ
Click to see attachment
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Short Form
Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax
Under section 501(c), 527, or 4947(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code
(except black lung benefit trust or private foundation)
bullet Sponsoring organizations of donor advised funds, organizations that operate one or more hospital facilities, and certain controlling organizations as defined in section 512(b)(13) must file Form 990 (see instructions).
All other organizations with gross receipts less than $200,000 and total assets less than $500,000 at the end of the year may use this form.
bulletThe organization may have to use a copy of this return to satisfy state reporting requirements.
OMB No. 1545-1150
2012
Open to Public
Inspection
A
For the 2012 calendar year, or tax year beginning 10-01-2012, and ending 09-30-2013
B
Check if applicable:
C Name of organization
STARFYSH
 
Number and street (or P. O. box, if mail is not delivered to street address)3725 OAK CREEK COURT SE
  Room/suite
City or town, state or country, and ZIP + 4 GRAND RAPIDS, MI49546
D Employer identification number

27-1976856
E Telephone number

F Group Exemption
Number. . bullet  
G Accounting Method: Other (specify) bullet   H Check bulletI Website:bulletWWW.STARFYSH.ORGJ Tax-exempt status(check only one)—Click to see attachment(   ) bullet(insert no.) or
K Check bullet A Form 990-EZ or Form 990 return is not required though Form 990-N (e-postcard) may be required (see instructions). But if the organization chooses to file a return, be sure to file a complete return.
L Add lines 5b, 6c, and 7b, to line 9 to determine gross receipts. If gross receipts are $200,000 or more, or if total assets (Part II, line 25, column (B) below) are $500,000 or more, file Form 990 instead of Form 990-EZ . . . . . . . bullet $ 189,149
Part I
Revenue, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets or Fund Balances (see the instructions for Part I)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part I...................
VerticalRevenue 1 Contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts received............... 1 189,149
2 Program service revenue including government fees and contracts ............ 2  
3 Membership dues and assessments...................... 3  
4 Investment income........................... 4  
5a Gross amount from sale of assets other than inventory........ 5a  
b Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses........... 5b  
c Gain or (loss) from sale of assets other than inventory (Subtract line 5b from line 5a) ...... 5c  
6 Gaming and fundraising events
a Gross income from gaming (attach Schedule G if greater than $15,000) . 6a  
b Gross income from fundraising events (not including $   of contributions
from fundraising events reported on line 1) (attach Schedule G if the
sum of such gross income and contributions exceeds $15,000) 6b  
c Less: direct expenses from gaming and fundraising events....... 6c  
d Net income or (loss) from gaming and fundraising events (add lines 6a and 6b and subtract line 6c) 6d  
7a Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances........ 7a  
b Less: cost of goods sold................. 7b  
c Gross profit or (loss) from sales of inventory (Subtract line 7b from line 7a) ......... 7c  
8 Other revenue (describe in Schedule O) ..................... 8  
9 Total revenue. Add lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5c, 6d, 7c, and 8.............. Bullet 9 189,149
VerticalExpenses 10 Grants and similar amounts paid (list in Schedule O) ................. 10  
11 Benefits paid to or for members........................ 11  
12 Salaries, other compensation, and employee benefits................ 12  
13 Professional fees and other payments to independent contractors............ 13 20
14 Occupancy, rent, utilities, and maintenance................... 14  
15 Printing, publications, postage, and shipping................... 15 2,422
16 Other expenses (describe in Schedule O) .................... 16 194,415
17 Total expenses. Add lines 10 through 16 ................. Bullet 17 196,857
VerticalNetAssets 18 Excess or (deficit) for the year (Subtract line 17 from line 9)............ 18 -7,708
19 Net assets or fund balances at beginning of year (from line 27, column (A)) (must agree with
end-of-year figure reported on prior year’s return)................ 19 19,756
20 Other changes in net assets or fund balances (explain in Schedule O) .......... 20  
21 Net assets or fund balances at end of year. Combine lines 18 through 20.........Bullet 21 12,048
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the separate instructions.
Cat. No. 10642I Form 990-EZ (2012)
Form 990-EZ (2012)
Page 2
Part IIBalance Sheets (see the instructions for Part II)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part II.................

(A) Beginning of year(B) End of year
22Cash, savings, and investments................
14,871
22
4,430
23Land and buildings....................
 
23
 
24Other assets (describe in Schedule O) ..........
4,885
24
7,618
25Total assets......................
19,756
25
12,048
26
Total liabilities (describe in Schedule O) .............
 
26
 
27Net assets or fund balances (line 27 of column (B) must agree with line 21)..
19,756
27
12,048
Part IIIStatement of Program Service Accomplishments (see the instructions for Part III) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part III . Expenses
(Required for section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations and section 4947(a)(1) trusts; optional for others.)
What is the organization's primary exempt purpose? STARFYSH HAS DETERMINED TO FOCUS ON ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DESPERATE GEOGRAPHIC LOCALES AND PEOPLE GROUPS: THAT OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI. IT IS BOTH OUR PURPOSE AND OUR EXPECTATION THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REVERSE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THERE THROUGH THE ADDRESSING OF ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURAL NEEDS (WATER, AGRICULTURE, HEALTH) WHILE DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR SUSTAINING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS (EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT). WHILE WORKING TOWARD THESE GOALS, WE WILL NOT IGNORE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMONSTRATING CHRISTIAN COMPASSION IN TIMES OF URGENT, IMMEDIATE, AND DESPERATE NEED.
Describe the organization’s program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. In a clear and concise manner, describe the services provided, the number of persons benefited, and other relevant information for each program title.
28 MEDICAL HEALTH THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE CURRENTLY HAS ONE SMALL, 35-BED MISSION HOSPITAL. LOCATED IN THE SEASIDE VILLAGE OF ANSE-A-GALETS, LA GONAVE WESLEYAN HOSPITAL HAS PROVIDED THE ISLANDS ONLY INPATIENT-LEVEL AND CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY CLINIC-LEVEL CARE SINCE THE 1950S. BUT THE PAST SIXTY YEARS HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL, WITH THE 2010 EARTHQUAKE RENDERING IT STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE. UNDERWRITTEN BY A SCOTTISH NON-PROFIT, CONSTRUCTION ON A NEW 48-BED HOSPITAL IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY, SLATED FOR COMPLETION IN THE FALL 2013. THE NEW HOSPITAL IS A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURAL COMPONENT IN THE STRATEGY FOR RAISING THE LEVEL OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS ON THE ISLAND. IN ADDITION, STARFYSH IS RAISING FUNDS TO CREATE AND HAVE OPERATIONAL A FULLY OUTFITTED MOBILE MEDIAL UNIT (MMU) CAPABLE OF TAKING MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND OPHTHALMOLOGIC CARE TO THE REMOTE REGIONS OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI. THE MMU WILL CONSIST OF TWO HEAVY-DUTY 4WD TRUCKS THAT CAN HANDLE LA GONAVE'S ROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ONE WILL BE OUTFITTED TO TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES; THE OTHER WILL TRANSPORT PERSONNEL. THREE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT, SELF-CONTAINED, FULLY-INVENTORIED AND READY-TO-LOAD EQUIPMENT MODULES WILL BE CREATED: A GENERAL MEDICAL CARE MODULE, A DENTISTRY MODULE, AND AN OPHTHALMOLOGIC/OPTICAL CARE MODULE. EACH MODULE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO ERECT A SMALL TEMPORARY FIELD CLINIC. THE MMU WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED TEAMS OF VISITING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. COORDINATION OF REMOTE LOCATION EFFORTS WILL INCLUDE INPUT AND COLLABORATION FROM OTHER FIXED-BASED MEDICAL MISSION ORGANIZATIONS ON THE ISLAND. THE FINAL PIECE TO RAISING THE HEALTH OF THE HAITIAN POPULATION IS TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND RESOURCES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT ALL THE VILLAGES OF LA GONAVE: PRINT MATERIALS (E.G. BOOKS, COURSE MATERIALS, ETC.), COMPUTER, HIGH-VOLUME PRINTER/COPIER. ALSO, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN PLACEA FULL-TIME, HAITIAN, COMMUNITY-HEALTH EDUCATOR/FACILITATOR IN THE FIELD.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet		 28a 44,522
29 CLEAN WATER/SANITATION - FEWER THAN ONE-HALF OF ALL PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, AND ONLY ONE IN TEN HOMES HAS A LATRINE. ESSENTIAL TO ANY SERIOUS PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT MUST BE A PLAN FOR MAKING SURE THE WATER THAT PEOPLE DRINK AND COOK WITH IS FREE OF DISEASE- CAUSING MICROORGANISMS AND THAT EACH HOME HAS A FUNCTIONING LATRINE. DURING THE PAST YEAR, STARFYSH HAS PLACED OVER 200 POINT-OF-USE BIO-SAND FILTERS IN INDIVIDUAL HOMES ON THE ISLAND AND HAS READIED ANOTHER 100 FOR PLACEMENT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. AND WE HAVE PROVIDED THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE MATERIALS FOR APPROXIMATELY 700 FAMILY LATRINES. WE ARE PLEASED THAT, AS A RESULT, A FEW SMALL VILLAGES NOW BOAST 100% LATRINE USE, A STATISTIC NEARLY UNHEARD OF IN HAITI.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet		 29a 30,586
30 SERVICE TEAMS ONE IMPORTANT WAY THAT STARFYSH CAN SHARE THE STORY OF ITS WORK ON LA GONAVE IS TO RECEIVE AND HOST GUESTS WHO COME TO EXPERIENCE LIFE ON THE ISLAND FOR THEMSELVES AND TO SEE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK WE ARE DOING, IN FISCAL YEAR 2011-12 WE HOSTED DOZENS OF SUCH GUESTS, MOST OF THEM IN TEAMS OF 3 TO 10, WHO CAME AND STAYED WITH US AT OUR OPERATIONS BASE AND HELPED US WITH ONE OR MORE OF OUR PROJECTS. ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT SEE THE WORK OF VISITING TEAMS AS ESSENTIAL TO INDIVIDUAL PROJECT SUCCESS, WE DO PLACE GREAT IMPORTANCE ON THEM AS A KEY WAY TO MOBILIZE FUTURE FINANCIAL AND VOLUNTEER PARTNERS. OUR MODEL FOR FINANCING GUEST AND TEAM VISITS IS THAT EACH GUEST/TEAM FULLY PAYS FOR ALL COSTS OF HOSTING THEM, INCLUDING FOOD, FUEL, TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS THE COSTS OF HAVING A PERSONAL HOST WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THEIR ON-FIELD LOGISTICS. THIS MODEL HAS WORKED WELL AND WE HAVE RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FROM EVERY GUEST WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HAVE VISIT US.
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet		 30a 21,136
GUESTHOUSE EXPENSES/BASE OF OPERATIONS - KEY TO STARFYSH'S EFFECTIVENESS ON THE GROUND IS OUR BASE OF OPERATIONS IN HAITI FROM WHICH ALL PROJECTS ARE PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT. ESTABLISHING THIS BASE WAS AN IMPORTANT, STRATEGIC FIRST STEP AS WE BUILD IN-FIELD CAPACITY FOR CARRYING OUT OUR MISSION IN THE YEARS TO COME. THE STARFYSH BASE IS LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF ANSE-A-GALETS, ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, SOME 12 MILES OFFSHORE OF MAINLAND HAITI. WE CHOSE ANSE-A- GALETS AS A GOOD TEMPORARY BASE, AS IT IS THE ONLY VILLAGE ON THE ISLAND THAT HAS BOTH AN AIRSTRIP AND A BOAT PORT. OUR BASE CONSISTS OF A SMALL HOUSE THAT WE CURRENTLY LEASE ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS. WE CONSIDER IT AS A TEMPORARY BASE THAT WE WILL MAINTAIN UNTIL WE CAN BUILD OUR OWN BASE OF OPERATIONS UP IN THE GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE. THE HOUSE IS SIMPLE, FURNISHED IN A VERY UTILITARIAN WAY. IT HAS A SMALL KITCHEN AND CAN SLEEP UP TO TWELVE WORKERS AT A TIME. ELECTRICITY IS PROVIDED BY GENERATORS. WATER FOR SHOWERS , SINKS, AND TOILETS IS GRAVITY FED BY AN ONROOF WATER CISTERN. THE HOUSE IS GATED AND GUARDED, ALLOWING FOR US TO USE THE YARD AS A STAGING AREA FOR PROJECT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. WE HAVE TWO HEAVY DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCKS AND TWO 4-WHEEL ATV'S WITHOUT WHICH NAVIGATION IN THE LA GONAVE MOUNTAINS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. EDUCATION EDUCATION WILL BE A STRONG EMPHASIS AND APPROACH IN STARFYSH'S EFFORTS TO BRING TRANSFORMATION TO LA GONAVE. EARLY ON, WE HAVE RECOGNIZED A SEVERE LACK IN RESOURCES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN HAITIAN CREOLE, AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT WE WILL WORK TO MAKE MORE SUCH RESOURCES AVAILABLE. IN OUR FIRST SUCH EFFORT, WE HAVE WRITTEN, ILLUSTRATED, AND PUBLISHED A PRESCHOOL -LEVEL READER. WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED THEM TO SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND HAVE CONDUCTED TEACHER TRAINING IN THOSE SCHOOLS, FOCUSING ON THE TEACHING OF READING AND WRITING. ANOTHER BOOK, A 3RD-GRADE-LEVEL READER IS NEARLY COMPLETE AND WILL SOON BE SENT TO THE PUBLISHERS. ANOTHER STRATEGY FOR RAISING THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE ISLAND IS TO BRING SCHOOLS TO VILLAGES WHERE THERE ARE NONE. IN OCTOBER, AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF PLANNING, THE FIRST OF SUCH SCHOOLS WAS OPENED, A PRIMARY GRADE LEVEL (K-3RD GRADE) SCHOOL IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. TODAY, EIGHTY FIVE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY DIRECTLY EMPLOYS SIX PEOPLE. A DAILY MEAL IS PROVIDED TO THE STUDENTS. ANOTHER VILLAGE HAS HEARD OF THIS EFFORT AND HAS ALREADY ASKED US TO COME AND MEET WITH THEM ABOUT BRINGING A SCHOOL TO THEIR VILLAGE AS WELL. WE ARE VERY MINDFUL THAT OUR EFFORTS TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION ON THE ISLAND MUST IMPACT EVERY OTHER CATEGORY OF OUR WORK HERE: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, NUTRITION AND HEALTH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. TEACHING MUCH BE INGRAINED AT EVERY LEVEL OF OUR WORK IF WE ARE TO SEE OUR EFFORTS LAST AND OUTLIVE US. GENERAL FUND/WHERE NEEDED MOST TO PROVIDE FOR OVERHEAD COSTS TO RUN ORGANIZATION, ALLOW STARFYSH TO DESIGNATE FUNDS TO PROJECTS THAT NEED A BIT OF EXTRA FUNDS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE IS EVER TO TRULY RISE OUT OF DESPERATE POVERTY, IT WILL BE HER PEOPLE THAT DO THE RAISING. ONE DAY, HER PEOPLE MUST CARRY ON THE WORK WHICH WE HAVE STARTED. IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, AN ECONOMY MUST RISE UP THAT CAN SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN AND GROW THE PROJECT EFFORTS STARFYSH HELPS TO INITIATE. IMBEDDED IN ALL OUR PROJECT EFFORTS ARE IDEAS AND PLANS FOR ECONOMIC SELF-SUSTAINABILITY. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE VILLAGE WHERE WE HAVE STARTED THE SCHOOL, A MICRO-ENTERPRISE PROGRAM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED, BRINGING SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES (WITH ONGOING TRAINING) TO THE VILLAGE. IN ADDITION TO THE MICRO-ENTERPRISE MODEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, STARFYSH ALSO VALUES THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING QUALIFIED AND PROMISING INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH LARGER BUSINESSES. ONE SUCH BUSINESS WE STARTED IN THE PAST YEAR WAS A WHOLESALE BAKERY THAT NOW DIRECTLY EMPLOYS FIVE PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, SOME TWENTY-FOUR VENDORS PURCHASE QUANTITIES OF BREAD AT WHOLESALE AND THEN SELL IT AT MARKET. WE ARE PLEASED THAT TWENTY-NINE FAMILIES HAVE AN INCOME AS A RESULT OF THIS BAKERY. ANOTHER BUSINESS, CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT, IS A SOLAR-POWERED CHICKEN HATCHERY. THE HATCHERY IS UP AND RUNNING AND WILL BRING MANY BENEFITS TO THE ISLAND, PROVIDING INCOME AND FOOD TO THOUSANDS. AGRICULTURE IN THE PAST YEAR STARFYSH HAS PURCHASED 2,400 BANANA TREES AND SO FAR DISTRIBUTED SOME 1,000 OF THEM TO PEASANT FARMERS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 1,400 BANANA TREES MATURING OUT IN POTS AND THESE WILL BE READY FOR DISTRIBUTION IN MARCH, 2013. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTED SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF VEGETABLE SEEDS TO PEASANT FARMERS. OUR PLANS FOR 2013 ARE TO DEVELOP AN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH GARDEN WHERE VARIOUS SPECIES OF PLANTS AND TREES WILL BE GROWN AND STUDIED. WE HAVE PURCHASED AND DELIVERED MANY SEEDS AND CUTTINGS TO THE ISLAND ALREADY AND ARE DEVELOPING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO ASSIST IN THIS WORK. WE HOPE AND EXPECT THAT MANY OF THE BUSINESSES THAT SPRING UP THROUGH OUR MICRO- AND MEDO-ENTERPRISE PROGRAMS WILL BE CENTERED AROUND THE FAMILY FARM. CHURCH/VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP ONE OF THE STARFYSH MODELS FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT IS TO BRING IN SPONSORING PARTNERS WHO WILL ADOPT AND UNDERWRITE THE PROJECT. ONE SUCH EXAMPLE, AND OUR FIRST LARGE-SCALE EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE CREATED BETWEEN A STATESIDE CHURCH (BERKLEY HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN) AND THE REMOTE VILLAGE OF MAKOCHON. IN A SEVEN-YEAR SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT, BERKLEY HAS AGREED TO FINANCIALLY PARTNER WITH STARFYSH IN BRINGING HOLISTIC LIFT TO THE VILLAGE, WITH HEAVY SUPPORT IN THE FIRST YEAR AND GRADUALLY DIMINISHING SUPPORT OVER THE SEVEN YEARS. THE VILLAGE HAS EXCITEDLY AGREED TO THIS PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND HAS ALREADY, IN THIS FIRST YEAR, DEMONSTRATED A STRONG RESPONSE TO THIS INCENTIVE. MAKOCHON'S SCHOOL IS UP AND RUNNING. 8-12 MICRO-BUSINESSES WILL BEGIN IN SPRING, 2013, AND ANOTHER 8-12 WILL FOLLOW NEXT FALL/WINTER. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP MODEL CAN BE USED FOR MANY FUTURE EFFORTS ON THE ISLAND. LATRINES ESSENTIALLY NO HOUSEHOLDS ON LA GONAVE HAVE A FLUSH TOILET AND, ASTONISHINGLY, FEWER THAN 10% OF THE 10,000 FAMILIES ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI HAVE EVEN A BASIC OUTHOUSE LATRINE. THIS, IN A LAND WHERE DIARRHEAL ILLNESSES (E.G. TYPHOID, HEPATITIS, CHOLERA, ETC.) ARE ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH. URINATION AND DEFECATION ARE DONE ON THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND WHEREVER AND WHENEVER THE NEED PRESENTS ITSELF, AND WITHOUT REGARD TO, OR EVEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO HEALTH AND DISEASE. AS WE MOVE ABOUT THE LA GONAVES VILLAGES, ONE OF OUR STARTING POINTS IS EDUCATING THEIR PEOPLE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FAMILY LATRINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT DISEASE. ALL TOO AWARE OF THE RAVAGES OF CHOLERA, VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY RECEPTIVE WHEN WE TELL THEM HOW BASIC SANITATION AND HYGIENE MEASURES CAN PREVENT THE DISEASE. RELIEVED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN BASICALLY CHOOSE NOT TO GET CHOLERA, THEY ARE TAKING US UP ON OUR CHALLENGE TO THEM TO BUILD A LATRINE. WE HAVE PUT OUT A CHALLENGE TO THEM; IF THEY WILL DIG A DEEP LATRINE PIT, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CONCRETE WITH WHICH THEY CAN BUILD A BASE AND TOILET STOOL. WE ALLOW THEM TO HOUSE THEIR LATRINE, THEN, WITH WHATEVER MATERIALS FITS (CORRUGATED TIN, PALM FRONDS, ETC.). THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. SO FAR, OVER 1,000 LATRINES HAVE BEEN BUILT AND ARE NOW IN USE WITH SEVERAL SMALL VILLAGES BOASTING 100% LATRINE USE
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here ...MediumBullet		 95,741
31 Other program services (describe in Schedule O)
(Grants $   ) If this amount includes foreign grants, check here...MediumBullet		 31a
32 Total program service expenses (add lines 28a through 31a).......... bullet 32 191,985
Part IV
List of Officers, Directors, Trustees, and Key Employees List each one even if not compensated (see the instructions for Part IV)Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part IV............
(a) Name and title (b) Average
hours per week
devoted to position		 (c)Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC) (if not paid, enter -0-) 		(d) Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans,
and deferred compensation		 (e) Estimated amount
of other compensation
STEVE EDMONDSONClick to see attachmentPRESIDENT, D 12.50 0    
BRIAN DYKSTRAClick to see attachmentVICE PRESIDE 1.00 0    
DOUG LOCKHARTClick to see attachmentBOARD MEMBER 1.00 0    
TIMOTHY ULSTADClick to see attachmentSECRETARY 1.00 0    
DR ELI-MAXIME FRANCOISClick to see attachmentBOARD MEMBER 1.00 0    
DAN IRVINEClick to see attachmentBOARD MEMBER 1.00 0    
Form 990-EZ (2012)
Form 990-EZ (2012)
Page 3
Part V
Other Information
(Note the Schedule A and personal benefit contract statement requirements in the
instructions for Part V.) Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part V.......
Yes
No
33
Did the organization engage in any significant activity not previously reported to the IRS? If "Yes," provide a detailed description of each activity in Schedule O ...................
33
 
No
34
Were any significant changes made to the organizing or governing documents? If "Yes," attach a conformed copy of the amended documents if they reflect a change to the organization’s name. Otherwise, explain the changeon Schedule O (see instructions) ..........................
34
 
No
35a
Did the organization have unrelated business gross income of $1,000 or more during the year from business activities (such as those reported on lines 2, 6a, and 7a, among others)? ............
35a
 
No
b
If "Yes," to line 35a, has the organization filed a Form 990-T for the year? If "No," provide an explanation in Schedule O
35b
 
 
c
Was the organization a section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or 501(c)(6) organization subject to section 6033(e) notice, reporting, and proxy tax requirements during the year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part III
35c
 
No
36
Did the organization undergo a liquidation, dissolution, termination, or significant disposition of net assets during the year? If “Yes,” complete applicable parts of Schedule N ................
36
 
No
37a
Enter amount of political expenditures, direct or indirect, as described in the instructions. bullet
37a
 
b
Did the organization file Form 1120-POL for this year?...................
37b
 
No
38a
Did the organization borrow from, or make any loans to, any officer, director, trustee, or key employee or were
any such loans made in a prior year and still outstanding at the end of the tax year covered by this return?..
38a
 
No
b
If “Yes,” complete Schedule L, Part II and enter the total amount involved .
38b
 
39
Section 501(c)(7) organizations. Enter:
a
Initiation fees and capital contributions included on line 9.......
39a
 
b
Gross receipts, included on line 9, for public use of club facilities.....
39b
 
40a
Section 501(c)(3) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on the organization during the year under:
section 4911 bullet   ; section 4912 bullet   ; section 4955 bullet  
b
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Did the organization engage in any section 4958 excess benefittransaction during the year, or did it engage in an excess benefit transaction in a prior year that has not been reported on any of its prior Forms 990 or 990-EZ? If “Yes,” complete Schedule L, Part I ......
40b
 
No
c
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Enter amount of tax imposed on organization managers or disqualified persons during the year under sections 4912, 4955, and 4958...bullet  
d
Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations. Enter amount of tax on line 40c reimbursed by the organization...........................bullet  
e
All organizations. At any time during the tax year, was the organization a party to a prohibited tax shelter transaction? If "Yes," complete Form 8886-T ......................
40e
 
No
41List the states with which a copy of this return is filed. bullet
42aThe organization's books are in care of bulletGRAND MANAGEMENT GROUP Telephone no. bullet (616) 235-4800
Located at bullet96 MONROE CENTER NW STE 300GRAND RAPIDS,MI ZIP + 4bullet49503
b
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization have an interest in or a signature or other authority over a financial account in a foreign country (such as a bank account, securities account, or other financial account)?
Yes
No
42b
 
No
If “Yes,” enter the name of the foreign country: bullet
See the instructions for exceptions and filing requirements for Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts.
c
At any time during the calendar year, did the organization maintain an office outside the U.S.?
42c
 
No
If “Yes,” enter the name of the foreign country: bullet
43.......bullet
and enter the amount of tax-exempt interest received or accrued during the tax year....bullet43
 
Yes
No
44a
Did the organization maintain any donor advised funds during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completed instead of
Form 990-EZ................................
44a
 
No
b
Did the organization operate one or more hospital facilities during the year? If "Yes," Form 990 must be completedinstead of Form 990-EZ.............................
44b
 
No
c
Did the organization receive any payments for indoor tanning services during the year?.........
44c
 
No
d
If "Yes," to line 44c, has the organization filed a Form 720 to report these payments? If "No," provide an
explanation in Schedule O ............................
44d
 
 
45a
Did the organization have a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)?.........
45a
 
No
45b
Did the organization receive any payment from or engage in any transaction with a controlled entity within the meaning of section 512(b)(13)? If "Yes," Form 990 and Schedule R may need to be completed instead of Form 990-EZ (see instructions)......................
45b
 
No
Form 990-EZ (2012)
Form 990-EZ (2012)
Page 4
Yes
No
46
Did the organization engage, directly or indirectly, in political campaign activities on behalf of or in opposition tocandidates for public office? If “Yes,” complete Schedule C, Part I. ..............
46
 
No
Part VI
Section 501(c)(3) organizations only All section 501(c)(3) organizations must answer questions 47-49b and 52, and complete the tables for lines 50 and 51 Check if the organization used Schedule O to respond to any question in this Part VI ................
Yes
No
47
Did the organization engage in lobbying activities or have a section 501(h) election in effect during the tax year? If "Yes," complete Schedule C, Part II .......................
47
 
No
48
Is the organization a school as described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii)? If "Yes," complete Schedule E ..
48
 
No
49a
Did the organization make any transfers to an exempt non-charitable related organization?......
49a
 
No
b
If "Yes," was the related organization a section 527 organization?................
49b
 
 
50
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated employees (other than officers, directors, trustees and key employees) who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a) Name and title of each employee paid more than $100,000 (b) Average
hours per week
devoted to position		 (c) Reportable compensation
(Forms W-2/1099-MISC) 		(d) Health benefits, contributions to employee benefit plans, and deferred compensation (e) Estimated amount of other compensation
NONE
f
Total number of other employees paid over $100,000 .................bullet  

51
Complete this table for the organization's five highest compensated independent contractors who each received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization. If there is none, enter "None."
(a) Name and address of each independent contractor paid more than $100,000 (b) Type of service (c) Compensation
NONE
d
Total number of other independent contractors each receiving over $100,000..........bullet  
52
Did the organization complete Schedule A? NOTE: All Section 501(c)(3) organizations and 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trusts must attach a completed Schedule A ...............bullet
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this return, including accompanying schedules and statements, and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. Declaration of preparer (other than officer) is based on all information of which preparer has any knowledge.
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Preparer's signature
Date
PTIN
Firm's name bullet

Firm's EIN bullet
Firm's address bullet



Phone no.
May the IRS discuss this return with the preparer shown above? See instructions .........bullet
Form 990-EZ (2012)


Form 990-EZ, Special Condition Description:
Special Condition Description

Additional Data


Software ID:  
Software Version:  
SCHEDULE A
(Form 990 or 990EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support

Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
right arrow Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. right arrow See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public
Inspection
Name of the organization
STARFYSH
 
Employer identification number

27-1976856
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status (All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
f
g
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization? ................
11g(i)
 
 
(ii) A family member of a person described in (i) above? ......................
11g(ii)
 
 
(iii) A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above? ................
11g(iii)
 
 
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization (ii) EIN (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions)) (iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document? (v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support? (vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.? (vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes No Yes No Yes No
Total                  

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
(Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) right arrow (a) 2008 (b) 2009 (c) 2010 (d) 2011 (e) 2012 (f) Total
1 Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....   57,388 113,988 158,609 189,149 519,134
2 Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......            
3 The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..            
4 Total. Add lines 1 through 3   57,388 113,988 158,609 189,149 519,134
5 The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..            
6 Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.           519,134
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) right arrow (a) 2008 (b) 2009 (c) 2010 (d) 2011 (e) 2012 (f) Total
7 Amounts from line 4..   57,388 113,988 158,609 189,149 519,134
8 Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...            
9 Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..            
10 Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..            
11 Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).           519,134
12
12
 
13
First five years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here........................................right arrow
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
14
 
15
15
 
16a
b
17a
b
18
Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions ..................................................... right arrow
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2)
(Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) right arrow (a) 2008 (b) 2009 (c) 2010 (d) 2011 (e) 2012 (f) Total
1 Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .            
2 Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......            
3 Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..            
4 Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...            
5 The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..            
6 Total. Add lines 1 through 5.            
7a Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...            
b Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.            
c Add lines 7a and 7b..            
8 Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)            
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in) right arrow (a) 2008 (b) 2009 (c) 2010 (d) 2011 (e) 2012 (f) Total
9 Amounts from line 6...            
10a Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..            
b Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.            
c Add lines 10a and 10b.            
11 Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.            
12 Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.) ..            
13 Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..            
14
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
15
 
16
16
 
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
17
 
18
18
 
19a
b
20
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information. Complete this part to provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
 
Explanation
 
 
 
 
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012

Additional Data


Software ID:  
Software Version:  
SCHEDULE O
(Form 990 or 990-EZ)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ

Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
MediumBullet Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public
Inspection
Name of the organization
STARFYSH
 
Employer identification number

27-1976856
Identifier Return Reference Explanation
OTHER EXPENSES FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 EXPENSES MARKETING & WEBSITE HOSTING 5,359 DONOR RECORDS SOFTWARE 1,116 LODGING/TRAVEL FOR PROJECTS 1,419 LIABILITY INSURANCE 602 CLEAN WATER 30,586 HAITI GENERAL EXPENSES 20,951 HAITI AGRICULTURE 7,554 MEDICAL TREATMENT 43,103 EDUCATION 8,260 BERKLEY/MAR KOCHON 12,736 SERVICE TEAMS 21,136 GUESTHOUSE EXPENSES 10,362 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 11,009 LATRINES 11,980 NON-INVESTMENT DEPRECIATION 8,242 TOTAL 194,415
OTHER ASSETS FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24 35,750 46,725 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 30,865 39,107 TOTAL 4,885 7,618
PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE FORM 990-EZ, PART III STARFYSH HAS DETERMINED TO FOCUS ON ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DESPERATE GEOGRAPHIC LOCALES AND PEOPLE GROUPS: THAT OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI. IT IS BOTH OUR PURPOSE AND OUR EXPECTATION THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REVERSE THE CYCLE OF POVERTY THERE THROUGH THE ADDRESSING OF ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURAL NEEDS (WATER, AGRICULTURE, HEALTH) WHILE DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR SUSTAINING THOSE IMPROVEMENTS (EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT). WHILE WORKING TOWARD THESE GOALS, WE WILL NOT IGNORE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEMONSTRATING CHRISTIAN COMPASSION IN TIMES OF URGENT, IMMEDIATE, AND DESPERATE NEED.
FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 28 MEDICAL HEALTH THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE CURRENTLY HAS ONE SMALL, 35-BED MISSION HOSPITAL. LOCATED IN THE SEASIDE VILLAGE OF ANSE-A-GALETS, LA GONAVE WESLEYAN HOSPITAL HAS PROVIDED THE ISLANDS ONLY INPATIENT-LEVEL AND CONTINUOUS AMBULATORY CLINIC-LEVEL CARE SINCE THE 1950S. BUT THE PAST SIXTY YEARS HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL, WITH THE 2010 EARTHQUAKE RENDERING IT STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE. UNDERWRITTEN BY A SCOTTISH NON-PROFIT, CONSTRUCTION ON A NEW 48-BED HOSPITAL IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY, SLATED FOR COMPLETION IN THE FALL 2013. THE NEW HOSPITAL IS A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURAL COMPONENT IN THE STRATEGY FOR RAISING THE LEVEL OF HEALTH AND WELLNESS ON THE ISLAND. IN ADDITION, STARFYSH IS RAISING FUNDS TO CREATE AND HAVE OPERATIONAL A FULLY OUTFITTED MOBILE MEDIAL UNIT (MMU) CAPABLE OF TAKING MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND OPHTHALMOLOGIC CARE TO THE REMOTE REGIONS OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI. THE MMU WILL CONSIST OF TWO HEAVY-DUTY 4WD TRUCKS THAT CAN HANDLE LA GONAVE'S ROUGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ONE WILL BE OUTFITTED TO TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES; THE OTHER WILL TRANSPORT PERSONNEL. THREE DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT, SELF-CONTAINED, FULLY-INVENTORIED AND READY-TO-LOAD EQUIPMENT MODULES WILL BE CREATED: A GENERAL MEDICAL CARE MODULE, A DENTISTRY MODULE, AND AN OPHTHALMOLOGIC/OPTICAL CARE MODULE. EACH MODULE WILL HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO ERECT A SMALL TEMPORARY FIELD CLINIC. THE MMU WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO QUALIFIED TEAMS OF VISITING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. COORDINATION OF REMOTE LOCATION EFFORTS WILL INCLUDE INPUT AND COLLABORATION FROM OTHER FIXED-BASED MEDICAL MISSION ORGANIZATIONS ON THE ISLAND. THE FINAL PIECE TO RAISING THE HEALTH OF THE HAITIAN POPULATION IS TO GET THEM INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND RESOURCES FOR CONDUCTING HEALTH EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT ALL THE VILLAGES OF LA GONAVE: PRINT MATERIALS (E.G. BOOKS, COURSE MATERIALS, ETC.), COMPUTER, HIGH-VOLUME PRINTER/COPIER. ALSO, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN PLACEA FULL-TIME, HAITIAN, COMMUNITY-HEALTH EDUCATOR/FACILITATOR IN THE FIELD.
SECOND ACCOMPLISHMENT FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 29 CLEAN WATER/SANITATION - FEWER THAN ONE-HALF OF ALL PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, AND ONLY ONE IN TEN HOMES HAS A LATRINE. ESSENTIAL TO ANY SERIOUS PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT MUST BE A PLAN FOR MAKING SURE THE WATER THAT PEOPLE DRINK AND COOK WITH IS FREE OF DISEASE- CAUSING MICROORGANISMS AND THAT EACH HOME HAS A FUNCTIONING LATRINE. DURING THE PAST YEAR, STARFYSH HAS PLACED OVER 200 POINT-OF-USE BIO-SAND FILTERS IN INDIVIDUAL HOMES ON THE ISLAND AND HAS READIED ANOTHER 100 FOR PLACEMENT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. AND WE HAVE PROVIDED THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE MATERIALS FOR APPROXIMATELY 700 FAMILY LATRINES. WE ARE PLEASED THAT, AS A RESULT, A FEW SMALL VILLAGES NOW BOAST 100% LATRINE USE, A STATISTIC NEARLY UNHEARD OF IN HAITI.
THIRD ACCOMPLISHMENT FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 30 SERVICE TEAMS ONE IMPORTANT WAY THAT STARFYSH CAN SHARE THE STORY OF ITS WORK ON LA GONAVE IS TO RECEIVE AND HOST GUESTS WHO COME TO EXPERIENCE LIFE ON THE ISLAND FOR THEMSELVES AND TO SEE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE WORK WE ARE DOING, IN FISCAL YEAR 2011-12 WE HOSTED DOZENS OF SUCH GUESTS, MOST OF THEM IN TEAMS OF 3 TO 10, WHO CAME AND STAYED WITH US AT OUR OPERATIONS BASE AND HELPED US WITH ONE OR MORE OF OUR PROJECTS. ALTHOUGH WE DO NOT SEE THE WORK OF VISITING TEAMS AS ESSENTIAL TO INDIVIDUAL PROJECT SUCCESS, WE DO PLACE GREAT IMPORTANCE ON THEM AS A KEY WAY TO MOBILIZE FUTURE FINANCIAL AND VOLUNTEER PARTNERS. OUR MODEL FOR FINANCING GUEST AND TEAM VISITS IS THAT EACH GUEST/TEAM FULLY PAYS FOR ALL COSTS OF HOSTING THEM, INCLUDING FOOD, FUEL, TRANSPORTATION, AS WELL AS THE COSTS OF HAVING A PERSONAL HOST WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THEIR ON-FIELD LOGISTICS. THIS MODEL HAS WORKED WELL AND WE HAVE RECEIVED HIGH MARKS FROM EVERY GUEST WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO HAVE VISIT US.
ALL OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 31 GUESTHOUSE EXPENSES/BASE OF OPERATIONS - KEY TO STARFYSH'S EFFECTIVENESS ON THE GROUND IS OUR BASE OF OPERATIONS IN HAITI FROM WHICH ALL PROJECTS ARE PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT. ESTABLISHING THIS BASE WAS AN IMPORTANT, STRATEGIC FIRST STEP AS WE BUILD IN-FIELD CAPACITY FOR CARRYING OUT OUR MISSION IN THE YEARS TO COME. THE STARFYSH BASE IS LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF ANSE-A-GALETS, ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, SOME 12 MILES OFFSHORE OF MAINLAND HAITI. WE CHOSE ANSE-A- GALETS AS A GOOD TEMPORARY BASE, AS IT IS THE ONLY VILLAGE ON THE ISLAND THAT HAS BOTH AN AIRSTRIP AND A BOAT PORT. OUR BASE CONSISTS OF A SMALL HOUSE THAT WE CURRENTLY LEASE ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS. WE CONSIDER IT AS A TEMPORARY BASE THAT WE WILL MAINTAIN UNTIL WE CAN BUILD OUR OWN BASE OF OPERATIONS UP IN THE GEOGRAPHIC CENTER OF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE. THE HOUSE IS SIMPLE, FURNISHED IN A VERY UTILITARIAN WAY. IT HAS A SMALL KITCHEN AND CAN SLEEP UP TO TWELVE WORKERS AT A TIME. ELECTRICITY IS PROVIDED BY GENERATORS. WATER FOR SHOWERS , SINKS, AND TOILETS IS GRAVITY FED BY AN ONROOF WATER CISTERN. THE HOUSE IS GATED AND GUARDED, ALLOWING FOR US TO USE THE YARD AS A STAGING AREA FOR PROJECT EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES. WE HAVE TWO HEAVY DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCKS AND TWO 4-WHEEL ATV'S WITHOUT WHICH NAVIGATION IN THE LA GONAVE MOUNTAINS WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. EDUCATION EDUCATION WILL BE A STRONG EMPHASIS AND APPROACH IN STARFYSH'S EFFORTS TO BRING TRANSFORMATION TO LA GONAVE. EARLY ON, WE HAVE RECOGNIZED A SEVERE LACK IN RESOURCES THAT ARE WRITTEN IN HAITIAN CREOLE, AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT WE WILL WORK TO MAKE MORE SUCH RESOURCES AVAILABLE. IN OUR FIRST SUCH EFFORT, WE HAVE WRITTEN, ILLUSTRATED, AND PUBLISHED A PRESCHOOL -LEVEL READER. WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED THEM TO SEVERAL SCHOOLS AND HAVE CONDUCTED TEACHER TRAINING IN THOSE SCHOOLS, FOCUSING ON THE TEACHING OF READING AND WRITING. ANOTHER BOOK, A 3RD-GRADE-LEVEL READER IS NEARLY COMPLETE AND WILL SOON BE SENT TO THE PUBLISHERS. ANOTHER STRATEGY FOR RAISING THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF THE ISLAND IS TO BRING SCHOOLS TO VILLAGES WHERE THERE ARE NONE. IN OCTOBER, AFTER NEARLY A YEAR OF PLANNING, THE FIRST OF SUCH SCHOOLS WAS OPENED, A PRIMARY GRADE LEVEL (K-3RD GRADE) SCHOOL IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN THE MOUNTAINS. TODAY, EIGHTY FIVE CHILDREN ATTEND SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY DIRECTLY EMPLOYS SIX PEOPLE. A DAILY MEAL IS PROVIDED TO THE STUDENTS. ANOTHER VILLAGE HAS HEARD OF THIS EFFORT AND HAS ALREADY ASKED US TO COME AND MEET WITH THEM ABOUT BRINGING A SCHOOL TO THEIR VILLAGE AS WELL. WE ARE VERY MINDFUL THAT OUR EFFORTS TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION ON THE ISLAND MUST IMPACT EVERY OTHER CATEGORY OF OUR WORK HERE: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, NUTRITION AND HEALTH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. TEACHING MUCH BE INGRAINED AT EVERY LEVEL OF OUR WORK IF WE ARE TO SEE OUR EFFORTS LAST AND OUTLIVE US. GENERAL FUND/WHERE NEEDED MOST TO PROVIDE FOR OVERHEAD COSTS TO RUN ORGANIZATION, ALLOW STARFYSH TO DESIGNATE FUNDS TO PROJECTS THAT NEED A BIT OF EXTRA FUNDS. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IF THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE IS EVER TO TRULY RISE OUT OF DESPERATE POVERTY, IT WILL BE HER PEOPLE THAT DO THE RAISING. ONE DAY, HER PEOPLE MUST CARRY ON THE WORK WHICH WE HAVE STARTED. IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, AN ECONOMY MUST RISE UP THAT CAN SUPPORT AND SUSTAIN AND GROW THE PROJECT EFFORTS STARFYSH HELPS TO INITIATE. IMBEDDED IN ALL OUR PROJECT EFFORTS ARE IDEAS AND PLANS FOR ECONOMIC SELF-SUSTAINABILITY. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE VILLAGE WHERE WE HAVE STARTED THE SCHOOL, A MICRO-ENTERPRISE PROGRAM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED, BRINGING SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES (WITH ONGOING TRAINING) TO THE VILLAGE. IN ADDITION TO THE MICRO-ENTERPRISE MODEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, STARFYSH ALSO VALUES THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING QUALIFIED AND PROMISING INDIVIDUALS TO ESTABLISH LARGER BUSINESSES. ONE SUCH BUSINESS WE STARTED IN THE PAST YEAR WAS A WHOLESALE BAKERY THAT NOW DIRECTLY EMPLOYS FIVE PEOPLE. IN ADDITION, SOME TWENTY-FOUR VENDORS PURCHASE QUANTITIES OF BREAD AT WHOLESALE AND THEN SELL IT AT MARKET. WE ARE PLEASED THAT TWENTY-NINE FAMILIES HAVE AN INCOME AS A RESULT OF THIS BAKERY. ANOTHER BUSINESS, CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT, IS A SOLAR-POWERED CHICKEN HATCHERY. THE HATCHERY IS UP AND RUNNING AND WILL BRING MANY BENEFITS TO THE ISLAND, PROVIDING INCOME AND FOOD TO THOUSANDS. AGRICULTURE IN THE PAST YEAR STARFYSH HAS PURCHASED 2,400 BANANA TREES AND SO FAR DISTRIBUTED SOME 1,000 OF THEM TO PEASANT FARMERS. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 1,400 BANANA TREES MATURING OUT IN POTS AND THESE WILL BE READY FOR DISTRIBUTION IN MARCH, 2013. WE ALSO DISTRIBUTED SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF VEGETABLE SEEDS TO PEASANT FARMERS. OUR PLANS FOR 2013 ARE TO DEVELOP AN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH GARDEN WHERE VARIOUS SPECIES OF PLANTS AND TREES WILL BE GROWN AND STUDIED. WE HAVE PURCHASED AND DELIVERED MANY SEEDS AND CUTTINGS TO THE ISLAND ALREADY AND ARE DEVELOPING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO ASSIST IN THIS WORK. WE HOPE AND EXPECT THAT MANY OF THE BUSINESSES THAT SPRING UP THROUGH OUR MICRO- AND MEDO-ENTERPRISE PROGRAMS WILL BE CENTERED AROUND THE FAMILY FARM. CHURCH/VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP ONE OF THE STARFYSH MODELS FOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT IS TO BRING IN SPONSORING PARTNERS WHO WILL ADOPT AND UNDERWRITE THE PROJECT. ONE SUCH EXAMPLE, AND OUR FIRST LARGE-SCALE EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE CREATED BETWEEN A STATESIDE CHURCH (BERKLEY HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN) AND THE REMOTE VILLAGE OF MAKOCHON. IN A SEVEN-YEAR SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENT, BERKLEY HAS AGREED TO FINANCIALLY PARTNER WITH STARFYSH IN BRINGING HOLISTIC LIFT TO THE VILLAGE, WITH HEAVY SUPPORT IN THE FIRST YEAR AND GRADUALLY DIMINISHING SUPPORT OVER THE SEVEN YEARS. THE VILLAGE HAS EXCITEDLY AGREED TO THIS PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND HAS ALREADY, IN THIS FIRST YEAR, DEMONSTRATED A STRONG RESPONSE TO THIS INCENTIVE. MAKOCHON'S SCHOOL IS UP AND RUNNING. 8-12 MICRO-BUSINESSES WILL BEGIN IN SPRING, 2013, AND ANOTHER 8-12 WILL FOLLOW NEXT FALL/WINTER. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS PARTNERSHIP MODEL CAN BE USED FOR MANY FUTURE EFFORTS ON THE ISLAND. LATRINES ESSENTIALLY NO HOUSEHOLDS ON LA GONAVE HAVE A FLUSH TOILET AND, ASTONISHINGLY, FEWER THAN 10% OF THE 10,000 FAMILIES ON THE ISLAND OF LA GONAVE, HAITI HAVE EVEN A BASIC OUTHOUSE LATRINE. THIS, IN A LAND WHERE DIARRHEAL ILLNESSES (E.G. TYPHOID, HEPATITIS, CHOLERA, ETC.) ARE ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH. URINATION AND DEFECATION ARE DONE ON THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND WHEREVER AND WHENEVER THE NEED PRESENTS ITSELF, AND WITHOUT REGARD TO, OR EVEN THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO HEALTH AND DISEASE. AS WE MOVE ABOUT THE LA GONAVES VILLAGES, ONE OF OUR STARTING POINTS IS EDUCATING THEIR PEOPLE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A FAMILY LATRINE IN ORDER TO PREVENT DISEASE. ALL TOO AWARE OF THE RAVAGES OF CHOLERA, VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY RECEPTIVE WHEN WE TELL THEM HOW BASIC SANITATION AND HYGIENE MEASURES CAN PREVENT THE DISEASE. RELIEVED TO KNOW THAT THEY CAN BASICALLY CHOOSE NOT TO GET CHOLERA, THEY ARE TAKING US UP ON OUR CHALLENGE TO THEM TO BUILD A LATRINE. WE HAVE PUT OUT A CHALLENGE TO THEM; IF THEY WILL DIG A DEEP LATRINE PIT, WE WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE CONCRETE WITH WHICH THEY CAN BUILD A BASE AND TOILET STOOL. WE ALLOW THEM TO HOUSE THEIR LATRINE, THEN, WITH WHATEVER MATERIALS FITS (CORRUGATED TIN, PALM FRONDS, ETC.). THE RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. SO FAR, OVER 1,000 LATRINES HAVE BEEN BUILT AND ARE NOW IN USE WITH SEVERAL SMALL VILLAGES BOASTING 100% LATRINE USE
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Cat. No. 51056K
Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012

Additional Data


Software ID:  
Software Version:  

TY 2012 CompensationExplanation
Name:
STARFYSH
EIN: 27-1976856
Person Name Explanation
STEVE EDMONDSON  
BRIAN DYKSTRA  
DOUG LOCKHART  
TIMOTHY ULSTAD  
DR ELIMAXIME FRANCOIS  
DAN IRVINE