Crossing Thresholds has come a long way. The story began in 2007 with a visit to the Kibera Slum (Nairobi, Kenya), the largest urban slum in Africa, and home to more than one million men, women, and children.
The initial visit was spearheaded by an extraordinary visionary – Dr. Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a scholar, environmentalist, and human rights activist. She wanted visitors to Kenya to see firsthand the ugly side of urbanization and meet some of the grassroots leaders who were changing lives.
What did we see? We witnessed firsthand the acute and shocking poverty. Hunger was lurking around every corner. Most families shared one or two room shacks, built of nothing more than corrugated metal, scrap wood and mud. These same families were without plumbing, reliable electricity, or medical care. Public schools were nowhere to be found.
These realities were jarring and heart-breaking. Human beings deserve better. But that is only half of the story. Kibera is also vibrant and dynamic. Her people are hardworking and resilient. Her children are eager to learn and grow. Crossing Thresholds began its work to stand by these children, to partner with community leaders who believe in the power of education, and to build schools as the gateway to a better future.
The initial visit was spearheaded by an extraordinary visionary – Dr. Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, a scholar, environmentalist, and human rights activist. She wanted visitors to Kenya to see firsthand the ugly side of urbanization and meet some of the grassroots leaders who were changing lives.
What did we see? We witnessed firsthand the acute and shocking poverty. Hunger was lurking around every corner. Most families shared one or two room shacks, built of nothing more than corrugated metal, scrap wood and mud. These same families were without plumbing, reliable electricity, or medical care. Public schools were nowhere to be found.
These realities were jarring and heart-breaking. Human beings deserve better. But that is only half of the story. Kibera is also vibrant and dynamic. Her people are hardworking and resilient. Her children are eager to learn and grow. Crossing Thresholds began its work to stand by these children, to partner with community leaders who believe in the power of education, and to build schools as the gateway to a better future.
