Harris's AT Thru Hike for LWCCF
Tax deductible
Hello, my name is Harris Goldstein and I am a 20 year-old sophomore at Tulane University. As an International Development major I have a large interest in helping those in need throughout the globe. I have been fortunate enough to visit various parts of the world at such a young age, exposing me to the real-world struggles that are non-existent in the New Jersey suburb where I was raised.
During the summer of 2014 I spent a month in Tanzania where I volunteered at an orphanage called the Living Water Children Centre. Located in Arusha, a city in the northern portion of the country, this orphanage was started by the Kimaro family in 2003. The orphanage now houses over 50 children, whose parents have either past away, are currently sick, or are unfit to raise children all together.
My experiences with these children affected me deeply and once I returned home I began to think of ways in which I could help the children. Two summers later I decided to complete an Ironman distance triathlon while raising money for the Living Water Children Centre Fund, a 501c3 organization created in 2008 with intentions to benefit the orphanage. Nearly 10 years later this incredible organization funds projects in Tanzania, Kenya and Haiti, impacting hundreds of children across multiple continents.
I am thrilled to announce that my fundraising campaign was a success as I raised just under $7,000, an achievement that I am very proud of. My interest in development coupled with my interest in philanthropy has recently lead to me being voted onto the Board of Directors for the Living Water Children Centre’s Fund, becoming the youngest board member in the history of the organization. One of the many lessons I have learned through working with this organization is that there will always be people in need. This has inspired me to begin another fundraising campaign this upcoming summer.
I have decided to try and cross another item off of my bucket list by attempting a solo thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Beginning in Springer Mountain, Georgia and ending in Mt. Katahdin, Maine, hiking this nearly 2,200 mile trail will surely be my most ambitious journey to date. While I only have 3 months (a thru hike typically takes between 5 and 7 months) I will be attempting to hike the entire trail beginning May 21st and ending in the second week of August. This is clearly an enormous task, but I am confident that I can finish the thru hike if I remain injury free. If not, I will get as far as I am able and finish the thru hike at a later date.
I hope to raise at least $10,000 with the funds benefiting the Joy House Education Center. Located in Mukuru slum in Nairobi, Kenya, the Joy House Education Center oversees three Mukuru-based schools, with over 600 kids attending these schools. The Mukuru slum is among the poorest slums in all of Kenya, with crime, drugs, and prostitution seen daily throughout the region. Like the children at the LWCC, many of Joy House’s students are orphans as well. Despite limited access to water, sanitation, and healthcare these children remain resilient and excited to learn.
Over the past several years Joy House has been successful in educating its students, with several students attending some of the top high schools in the region. Recently, though, the school has struggled to yield positive results, due largely to underfunding. Many qualified teachers have left Joy House to teach elsewhere due to their low wages. A lack of school supplies (desks, books….) are also to blame for the center’s current struggles. With this in mind I have decided to donate one half of the funds raised to pay for teacher stipends at Joy House, with the other half going towards school supplies. While my $10,000 fundraising goal is certainly ambitious, I am confident that I can meet, and even exceed, this goal. These children have gone through so much adversity in their short lives and I am excited by the opportunity to help these children.
Every donation is tax deductable, as LWCCF has 501c3 (tax exempt) status. If you are unable to donate I urge you to spread the word about this fantastic organization. If you are interested in learning more about the LWCCF, the link to the website is attached below. If interested, the child sponsorship program is a fantastic way to support a child in need while creating a special relationship with the child.
Attached is a link to the Living Water Children’s Centre Fund. As I previously mentioned, there is endless need throughout the world. I implore each and every one of you to become active in your local communities, helping those less fortunate. Please remember that anybody can change the world. Thank you in advance.
Living Water Children's Centre Fund
During the summer of 2014 I spent a month in Tanzania where I volunteered at an orphanage called the Living Water Children Centre. Located in Arusha, a city in the northern portion of the country, this orphanage was started by the Kimaro family in 2003. The orphanage now houses over 50 children, whose parents have either past away, are currently sick, or are unfit to raise children all together.
My experiences with these children affected me deeply and once I returned home I began to think of ways in which I could help the children. Two summers later I decided to complete an Ironman distance triathlon while raising money for the Living Water Children Centre Fund, a 501c3 organization created in 2008 with intentions to benefit the orphanage. Nearly 10 years later this incredible organization funds projects in Tanzania, Kenya and Haiti, impacting hundreds of children across multiple continents.
I am thrilled to announce that my fundraising campaign was a success as I raised just under $7,000, an achievement that I am very proud of. My interest in development coupled with my interest in philanthropy has recently lead to me being voted onto the Board of Directors for the Living Water Children Centre’s Fund, becoming the youngest board member in the history of the organization. One of the many lessons I have learned through working with this organization is that there will always be people in need. This has inspired me to begin another fundraising campaign this upcoming summer.
I have decided to try and cross another item off of my bucket list by attempting a solo thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Beginning in Springer Mountain, Georgia and ending in Mt. Katahdin, Maine, hiking this nearly 2,200 mile trail will surely be my most ambitious journey to date. While I only have 3 months (a thru hike typically takes between 5 and 7 months) I will be attempting to hike the entire trail beginning May 21st and ending in the second week of August. This is clearly an enormous task, but I am confident that I can finish the thru hike if I remain injury free. If not, I will get as far as I am able and finish the thru hike at a later date.
I hope to raise at least $10,000 with the funds benefiting the Joy House Education Center. Located in Mukuru slum in Nairobi, Kenya, the Joy House Education Center oversees three Mukuru-based schools, with over 600 kids attending these schools. The Mukuru slum is among the poorest slums in all of Kenya, with crime, drugs, and prostitution seen daily throughout the region. Like the children at the LWCC, many of Joy House’s students are orphans as well. Despite limited access to water, sanitation, and healthcare these children remain resilient and excited to learn.
Over the past several years Joy House has been successful in educating its students, with several students attending some of the top high schools in the region. Recently, though, the school has struggled to yield positive results, due largely to underfunding. Many qualified teachers have left Joy House to teach elsewhere due to their low wages. A lack of school supplies (desks, books….) are also to blame for the center’s current struggles. With this in mind I have decided to donate one half of the funds raised to pay for teacher stipends at Joy House, with the other half going towards school supplies. While my $10,000 fundraising goal is certainly ambitious, I am confident that I can meet, and even exceed, this goal. These children have gone through so much adversity in their short lives and I am excited by the opportunity to help these children.
Every donation is tax deductable, as LWCCF has 501c3 (tax exempt) status. If you are unable to donate I urge you to spread the word about this fantastic organization. If you are interested in learning more about the LWCCF, the link to the website is attached below. If interested, the child sponsorship program is a fantastic way to support a child in need while creating a special relationship with the child.
Attached is a link to the Living Water Children’s Centre Fund. As I previously mentioned, there is endless need throughout the world. I implore each and every one of you to become active in your local communities, helping those less fortunate. Please remember that anybody can change the world. Thank you in advance.
Living Water Children's Centre Fund
Organizer
Harris C. Goldstein
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
Living Water Childrens Centre
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
