CROSSING THRESHOLDS

To Our Families and Friends -

We know this is an unprecedented time; and we recognize the uncertainty we are all experiencing and feeling.  We also recognize and try to focus on just how fortunate we still are; to live in the country we live in,  to have a roof over our heads and food on our tables. There are others who are not so fortunate.

We are reaching out to you asking for your help to feed children who are facing hunger today.   These are children that we have met and played with who live in Kibera,  Africa's largest slum.  These children have had a big impact on our lives and without our help, they may not eat.

Many of the children that live in Kibera only eat when they attend school and receive 2 daily meals.  Due to Covid-19, all schools are closed which means these children and their families have no access to a reliable food source not to  mention little to no access to medical treatment or clean water. This is real and very serious. 

We are raising money to feed these children and their families. Your donation goes directly to CROSSING THRESHOLDS, the non-profit our families currently support and the organization we traveled with to Kibera last summer.  

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
DONATE TODAY! Crossing Thresholds is working to keep the kitchens open at its schools in order to provide food to these needy children and their families.  Would you please consider making a donation today? Any amount is helpful. Truly.

You are feeding the most vulnerable among us and sending a message of hope and solidarity.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you!

TJ, Chris, Amos and Emmett



More information about CROSSING THRESHOLDS visit their website at www.crossingthresholds.org

My name is Remi Taubin, I am a junior at Wilton High School and planning to travel to Kenya, Africa in June of 2019. My trip is sponsored and organized by a non-profit organization -- Crossing Thresholds, Inc. While in Kenya, we will be working in the Kibera Slum and helping Crossing Thresholds to build a primary school for children who do not have the privilege of learning due to a lack of actual schools and finances.  In addition to construction, I will be engaging with the kids in sports, arts and crafts, and reading.  



As part of my own learning experience, I am committed to raising funds for the new primary school.  To say that I am fortunate is truly an understatement.  So now, I have the opportunity to raise money for kids who oftentimes eat only once a day AND have never dreamed of a brighter future.  Please help me to help them by making a donation to my cause.  Any donation will help make an impact!! 


For those interested, the mission of Crossing Thresholds is two-fold:  1) to work with local community leaders to build schools where they are desperately needed, and 2) to facilitate travel opportunities for paying volunteers to witness the challenges of global poverty and make a positive difference.  To learn more, please visit -- crossingthresholds.org


Thanks in advance for your contribution.

Dear Family and Friends,
            This summer, I will be joining a mission trip with Crossing Thresholds to Africa’s largest slum – the Kibera Slum.  It is home to nearly a million Kenyans, and hundreds of thousands of under-educated children.  Our goal is to bring the power of education back to roughly 300 children whose school burned down last year.  We will be partaking in “The Big Build.”  This 10-day project will hopefully complete the construction of a new school for those children, who see school as a safety sanction where they can play, learn, and surround themselves in a positive environment.  Unfortunately, that security was taken away from them with the loss of their school.
            The Kenyan government does not recognize this part of the country or the people inside.  The living conditions are terrible; there is no sewage, little to no power, and running water is scarce.  It is very important to me, through Crossing Thresholds, to build this new school and help these children enjoy a better life and greater opportunities.
            Reverend Gary Morello of Darien’s First Congregational Church first introduced me to the idea of this trip.  He is one of my football coaches, a mentor and friend.  He has been going on mission trips for years now, but said this was the most challenging one yet.  As he talked about it with us at FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meetings, he inspired me to want to go, too! I am very excited to go on this trip with Gary, and a great group of people, whose mission is to make a difference in the lives of those in desperate need.      
           I would love and appreciate any support from you, my family and friends, who may be willing to help me reach my fundraising goal. The money I raise will go directly to the new school and the supplies needed to help it function.  Please consider helping me make a difference in the lives of these children, who live in the slums of Kenya.

Sincerely,
Brian

My name is Patrick Burke, a senior at Darien High School in Darien, CT.  This summer, I will be traveling with the organization Crossing Thresholds to the Kibera Slum, an unauthorized slum outside of Nairobi, Kenya. While being the second largest slum in the world, with nearly one million people living in extreme poverty, the Kenyan Government does not recognize the residents' rights to live there. There is no sewage, few schools and fewer medical facilities.

With a team of about 80 people, I will rebuild a school that has recently burned to the ground. Called "The Big Build", Crossing Thresholds volunteers will resurrect an entire school for 300+ children in just 10 days. I know this will be one of the most challenging but rewarding and eye-opening experiences of my life. I am excited for my trip which begins on June 22. 

As background, I was introduced to the idea of traveling to Kibera from Gary Morello, an assistant football coach at Darien High School. Gary is one of the most inspirational people I have ever met and has become a mentor to me. While facing challenges in his life, Gary traveled to help in Kibera ten years ago. He has now made it part of his life's work, while servicing our community as a Minister of the Congregational Church in Darien. I am so lucky to have met Gary and to be traveling with him and the team.

I would love and appreciate the support of friends and family willing to help me reach my fundraising goal.
The money will go directly towards the new school and supplies, in addition to other donations we will be carrying with us for the kids.

Thank you to those that feel the same way I do for these  kids who are in need of the most basic necessities. I've been told that seeing their courage, resilience and hope will touch me and remain with me forever.