Orphaned Starfish Foundation

In Chile, Stein spoke with a nun, who informed him of the challenges that face orphans after leaving the orphanage, including homelessness, drug addiction and prostitution.

[2] This inspired him to file the necessary paperwork to create a charity, and raise funds for a state-of-the-art computer center for the orphanage in Santiago.

[3] The foundation is named for Loren Eiseley's famous parable about a young man throwing starfish  into the ocean.

Stein identifies the development of life skills as essential to the foundations work, and programs include training on how to manage[5] a budget, obtain independent housing, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

He is known by the orphans as 'Tio Mago', uncle magician, and he considers magic a tool in his outreach: "It's a way to make the children feel like they have the ability to do anything in the world.