My first interaction with Crossing Thresholds (CT) was in 2011. From that time forward when I hear of the word Crossing Thresholds, I reminisce on the great work they do to transform my community through education and providing sustainable opportunities to all.
I am inspired and grateful for the generosity of CT that has reached and healed wounds that only the act of compassion and love can heal. Their proactive efforts to respond consistently and find solutions will never be taken for granted. To echo the words of a wise soul, "No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others – those who are wise acknowledge this help with gratitude." I will not give myself the credit for being a wise soul at this juncture in my life. But with utmost confidence, I want to recognize Crossing Thresholds for its enormous support that has immensely contributed to my success in life today. As a grateful beneficiary, I have been fortunate to be part of their scholarship program that helped me obtain my Bachelors Degree in Communications. Similarly, I have worked with them on various community projects that have been deeply satisfying and impactful. One of the projects that positively impacted my professional growth was working on the film crew for Light Within the Cracks -- a documentary that showcased life in the Kibera Slum, directed and produced by Philip Ennis, Senior Producer at Phillip Ennis Production, a brilliant, creative individual. Through Crossing Thresholds, I was also given the opportunity to work with a partner organization, the Wangari Maathai Foundation -- a not-for-profit organization in Kenya dedicated to nurturing young people to be leaders of courage and character. Through their connection with Crossing Thresholds, they are working to bring value-based education to CT schools and to raise environmental awareness for the children. In the face of the global environmental crisis, this is a critically important initiative. Lastly, I am delighted that through the ten years of friendship with Crossing Thresholds, I am now their social media coordinator!! I am beyond excited to share with the world the great work that CT is doing. Mercy Otieno CT Social Media Coordinator
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I am still celebrating the flow of generosity at last week’s annual fundraiser for Crossing Thresholds. I never take for granted the gifts of time, talent and treasure that are freely given to our mission. However big or small the gift happens to be, I choose to be grateful because it might have been given somewhere else or not at all.
So I begin with a loud Thank You to all of the individuals, families and organizations that have made it possible for us to keep serving in Kenya and Puerto Rico. Because of your generosity, children will be eating and learning and imagining a better future. But the holiday season is upon us – a time to consider giving more than at other times of the year, a time for expansive generosity. Why might we make such a decision? I believe the answer is in the word equitability. What if we actually believed that human beings were created equal – with equal rights to health, education and opportunity? What if we believed that this was in the very design of creation, and anything less was unacceptable? What if we believed that our reason for being was to right the ship, level the playing field, and bring human flourishing to those on the margins? If so, it might change how often and how much we give. I am not always generous by nature. I like to think I am. When I am out to eat, I offer to pay. When I am asked to give, I give. However, I do not give at a level that costs me in any meaningful way. Even collectively over the course of a year, the sum of my giving does not stop me from doing what I want. So I am left to ponder, “Why am I as cheap as I am? Why do my wants and needs override the great call to be generous on behalf of others?” The world is still a beautiful place. It is also a place in which 700 million people go to bed hungry. Many of the hungry are children. They are quietly asking us to remember our shared humanity. With the holiday season upon us, I hope the word equitability will stay close to us. I also hope the call to be generous will bring discomfort and healing in whatever measure is most needed. Two years ago, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya on my first service trip with Crossing Thresholds to begin a robotics program at the FAFU Primary School and the WERU High School. As I was preparing to teach a class at WERU, Teacher Dedan handed me a box of chalk. I jokingly asked what this was for, and let him know I had not used chalk in my classes in many years! At Byram Hills HS where I teach, we use PowerPoints, projectors, and web-based instruction. One of the most striking disparities in their schools was the lack of technology in both the educators' presentation vehicles and the students' lack of educational interaction with computers. It was then I felt the need to help the educators and students begin to develop a more technology-based institution.
Looking back on our multi-faceted initiative to integrate technology into the schools, I cannot believe ‘how far we have come’. We partnered with the Microsoft Corporation to develop the teacher’s ability to utilize technology in the classroom, and now have Office 365 licenses for faculty members and students in all four schools. FAFU has developed an E-Learning Center, has WIFI connectivity and is utilizing projectors and PowerPoint instruction in two classrooms. Also, the students have begun computer literacy training and have learned the basics of computer use. WERU has WIFI as well, and has two multi-media classrooms in use. Two other Crossing Thresholds schools have been given projectors, computers and have begun training on their use in the classrooms. And last but not least, S’Cool Sounds is now beginning to develop a pilot program for remote music instruction and tech-based programming in each of our schools. None of this would have been possible without the added support from generous donors and service organizations at Byram Hills HS. Last month, I traveled back to Kenya and was extremely pleased with the progress of the program in all the schools. The students and faculty are so excited about this initiative! I taught over 290 students during my week-long visit and held numerous teacher training sessions. As the PowerPoints and YouTube videos of the lessons appeared on the screen, the attention and excitement grew with the students. The educators were equally enthusiastic as they discovered the benefits for everyone involved. As I walked out of Kibera to catch my flight to the United States, one of the teachers (Teacher Fred) asked if I was going to cancel my flight and stay a bit longer. I told Fred I couldn’t stay now, but I would be back as soon as I could. It was a poignant moment – my heart was open and grateful. And I thought to myself, what an extraordinary gift to be a part of something that has come so far, and has already touched so many lives, not least of which is mine. Ken Kaplan Educator, CT Volunteer, Technology Liaison, Chess Club Facilitator As a freshman in high school my goal in life had not yet been set. I was like most other people my age, aimlessly wandering through life with not so much as a clue as to what I wanted to do. Upon returning from my trip to Puerto Rico with Crossing Thresholds, however, I discovered that what I wanted to do was help people. I talked to numerous people about their experiences working in underprivileged countries on service trips and truly loved the concept of being able to make an impact. The people I spoke with were seasoned and qualified, and helped to make the trip more enjoyable.
Working with a native muralist, my group painted a large mural at an elementary school, in addition to giving their blacktop more flair by adding things for the kids to do, including a maze, hopscotch, a soccer field, and a basketball court. We also built benches, desks, and a cornhole game for the children. It was wonderful getting to see the teachers and principal’s faces when they saw the work we had done. They were filled with joy for the kids and quite grateful. Getting to see their reaction really had an impact on me. No matter the size of the contribution, you are making a difference in people’s lives. Throughout the trip, Crossing Thresholds introduced us to native Puerto Ricans, who taught us about their beloved homeland. Meeting people from PR gave us a chance to see the issues within the island (e.g. government), the impact of natural disasters like Hurricane Maria, and the history of Puerto Rico. These are important things to discuss especially since people like us, volunteering and making an effort, can make such a difference in building up Puerto Rico again. I truly enjoyed the trip and shall hold it close to my heart forever. Madeline Smith Trip Participant Puerto Rico, June 2021 I opened the door to retrieve the package. There was no surprise there, as this has become a daily occurrence in the age of COVID. What was surprising, however, was that the package was for ME! Rectangular and pink, from “Urban Stems.” Flowers, but why? I read the card first. “Congratulations Madame Chair! Love, Justin, Alison and Josh.” My eyes welled up and the tears began to flow.
If there is meaning behind behavior, then what emotions had been stirred? Was I moved by my children showing they were proud of me? As a parent, I don’t believe I will ever stop being proud of my children’s accomplishments but now that they are adults, did this represent a palpable change? Were they proud that I had made the choice to redefine myself and assume a position of leadership? Were they proud that I am the first woman to be Board Chair of Crossing Thresholds? I am the daughter of a mother and the mother of a daughter. It took going to Kenya to reconsider those relationships and where, as a woman, I want to focus my energy. It felt natural to want to disrupt the effects that a pattern of patriarchy and paternalism can have, as it clearly resonated with my own childhood experiences. I too was taught to be “small,” quiet, obedient. So, little by little, I brought in programs to address the physical and mental health of all the students, but especially the older girls. We started with sexual violence prevention and brought the “No Means No Worldwide” program to both girls and boys. We expanded into a literacy program that targets the most vulnerable girls. We had “Girls Club” meetings and discussed sexual and reproductive health, and listened to a podcast called “Shh! Periods,” and established a policy of distributing menstrual products. We partnered with the dance program, Cheza Cheza, that concurrently addresses social and emotional issues. The goal, I fervently hope, is that by providing the opportunity and skills, children learn to be proud of themselves! Let me sit in this moment to take an inventory of what we can be proud of. Being part of a remarkable organization that provides opportunities in so many ways, for meaningful and positive change. The educational accomplishments of our students. The resilience of our friends in Kenya, despite unimaginably difficult circumstances. The tireless efforts of our teams in the US and on the ground. Thank you to our board, our partners in Kenya, and my family for their support as we continue this journey together, and for giving me this opportunity to be proud of myself. I snapped a photo of my beautiful and evocative flowers and sent it off with a text to my children. “These are so beautiful but not as beautiful as the thought that is behind them. Thank you so so very much…” Faith Pedowitz Board Chair |
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