Starfish Christian Trust Report and Financial Statements Year Ended 5th April 2021 Charity Number:1148164 ## **Starfish Christian Trust** 1 ## **Formerly Woodland Christian Trust Reference and Administration Information** ## **Trustees** Arnold Abraham MB BS Jan Wiszniewski Carol Bearfoot ## **Charity registration Number** 1148164 ## **Bankers** Barclays Bank plc Leicester LE87 2BB ## **Starfish Christian Trust** 2 ## **Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 5th April 2021** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** ## **Governing Document** The charity is principally based in London. The charity has many partners through whom it delivers its aid, training and relief programmes in many areas around the world. These areas are set out in other parts of this report. Throughout the year there were no full-time or part-time employees of the charity. Mr Stanley Gain continues to act as honorary administrator on behalf of the trustees. The board of trustees normally meet regularly to discuss strategic direction and policy of the organisation. Since Covid-19 major decisions have been made through agreement over social media. ## **Objectives and activities** The principal activities of the charity, as laid out in its’ Trust Deed are - To relieve those who are in conditions of need or hardship - To relieve those who are sick or aged - The preservation and protection of health - The provision of education - To promote charitable purposes beneficial to the community - To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Beliefs Starfish Christian Trust was established as a charitable trust under the name of Woodland Christian Trust by a deed dated 14th May 2012 and registered with the Charity Commission on 17th July 2012. Because people were confusing us with the conservation charity the Woodland Trust the trustees decided to change the name to Starfish Christian Trust, a name accepted by The Charity Commission on 22nd September 2014. No other detail concerning the trust has been changed. There are currently three trustees and we are seeking to increase this to 4 in accordance with clause D (1) of the Trust Deed. The trustees are responsible under the charity’s governing document for controlling the management and administration of the charity. No new trustees were added in the financial year. The trustees who served in the financial year are Mr Arnold Abraham, Mr Jan Wiszniewski and Mrs Carol Bearfoot **Organisational Structure** 3 ## **Achievements and Performance** The trustees are pleased to report that they have been able to continue their support in many geographical areas and were also able to meet the needs of many people in need of relief from distress. In addition much has been done to support the education of children, many of whom would be unable to receive an education without the help of the Trust in accordance with its objectives. The following activities and donations have been made: ## **India** We continue to help Hope Ministries in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. We have had a long association with Hope Ministries through Pastor Joshua Geddam. The sponsorship of the orphan children, many sold into slavery by their families, continues. This regular financial support has enabled the children to be properly cared for and educated. The individual sponsors of the children receive a personal report and letter from each child towards the end of each year. There are now two churches that carry the name Starfish Church. This was not at the instigation of the trustees but a choice made by the local pastors. Militant persecution from the Hindu community continues and Christians are denied the use of village wells. Reports of sickness and death from drinking unclean water is not uncommon. We have helped several communities by sinking wells this year. These clean water wells are available to the whole community. It is hoped that this will bring communities together. We have continued to help the Light Children’s home in a small way. Towards the end of the previous year, we were approached about building a boy’s dormitory as they needed to be separated from the girls. With a gift to cover the major costs of this and building new ablution facilities from a local Anglican church, work was completed. The rescue of children sold into slavery has continued. This year, Starfish helped in the release of over thirty children from slavery. The girls were typically used for prostitution but some had other dangerous work to do in the daytime, while being used in prostitution at night. The boys were typically involved in dangerous and physically debilitating labour. Almost all the children needed extensive medical treatment after release – which we also provided. All those rescued were either placed into one of the children’s homes or found hostel accommodation where they were given pastoral support from the local pastor. In most cases the children needed medical attention. A local doctor helps with reduced fees and medical help is given to all who need it. ## **Burundi** Burundi continues to be one of the poorest in the world. We have continued to help in a small way through Pastor Joseph Ruvugana in Gitega. We provided money for medical care and for a new roof for the church. ## **Kenya** We have supported some street volunteers in a suicide prevention scheme plus we continue to support a project helping with the education of school age girls involved in prostitution, working to take vulnerable girls of the street, give them accommodation and counselling. They are also given training to help them to be able to support themselves financially. In Kakamegawe were asked by Bishop Julius Abungana to seed fund a new Community Based Organisation. We have been able to increase our support of the orphanage in Kakamega. Whilst not on a regular basis we have been pleased to respond to particular needs. 4 All these projects, in Kenya and beyond, are undertaken by local Christian churches and ministries, with the aim of bringing those that are reached into a relationship with Jesus Christ. ## **Democratic Republic of Congo** As reported last year, we continue to stay in touch with Pastor Jeremiah Rukukuye in Uvira. We are still unable to give regular support to this dear Pastor and his ministry. As with Burundi the political situation and poverty make life in D R Congo very difficult. Philippines Pastor Eunice Grace, who has also been known to us for many years has continued with the work that her father started. We have been pleased to be able to send a monthly donation in support of the ministry. In addition to the work of the church she holds regular outreaches and runs a feeding programme for local children. She carries a great burden especially since Covid-19 struck but she continues joyfully and frequently send words of encouragement back to the trustees. The church there were hit by typhoons and floods throughout the year and the charity sent relief funds for the area to be distributed by the church. We also supported the hire of a fishing boat and replaced Pastor Eunice’s phone and computer when they were stolen by robbers. ## **Public Benefit Statement** The section above entitled ‘Achievements and Performance’ has set the areas, both geographical and charitable, that are the current achievements of the Trust. The trustees have considered this matter in conjunction with the guidance contained in the Charity Commissions’ general guidance on public benefit, and have concluded that: - The aims of the Trust continue to be charitable - The aims and work accomplished give identifiable benefits to the charitable sector and both directly and indirectly to individuals in need - The benefits are for the public and are not in any way restricted and certainly not by the ability to pay - There is no detriment or harm arising from the aims and activities ## **Financial Review** The overall financial position of the Trust continues to flow consistently. The trustees exercise tight financial control through regular meetings. This has been reduced to email etc since the outbreak of Covid-19. Sound financial management has continued a positive outcome for the period. Our total receipts and giving have remained at a sustained level enabling us to meet our regular commitments. The Trustees endeavour to ensure that there are sufficient funds in hand to meet our regular supported areas of help. The Trustees have implemented a policy that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, to always hold in reserve enough to meet our regular commitments for six months ahead. The majority of the funding received by the Trust comes from individuals, and churches topped up with receipts from the Governments’ Gift Aid Scheme. During the year the trust committed to projects with funds of £47,270 (2020 £36,702), ## **Trustees Responsibilities** Law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its’ financial position at the end of each year. In preparing financial statements giving a true and fair view, the trustees follow best practice and: - Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently - Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - State whether applicable accounting standards and statement of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial 5 ## statements • Prepare the financial statements on the on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the trust and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the Trust and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ## **Tax Status** Starfish Christian Trust is a registered charity and is exempt from corporation and income tax. 6