Welcome Packet - First Congregational Church

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________CrossingThresholdsw168AIrvingAvenueSuite300KwPortChester,NY10573

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Welcome Packet


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DearFriends,WearehonoredthatyouareconsideringCrossingThresholds(CT)foryourtraveladventuretoKenya.Wearelessofabusinessandmoreofapassionatecommitment.Ourgoalsforeveryvolunteerarestraightforward–exposuretoanotherpartoftheworld,dynamicculturalexchangeandlearning,andtheopportunitytogiveyourtimeandtalentswheretheyareneeded.

AtCT,ourmissionistoreclaimtheoriginalmeaningofphilanthropy–aloveforhumanitythatbreedsfamiliarity,loyaltyandgenerosity.Whereverwelive,whateverourethnicorreligiousidentity,andirrespectiveofourmaterialresources,weareallphilanthropists.Wewereborntolocateourselvesinthegive-and-takeoflife’sunfolding;andwewereborntotryandcreateasaferandbetterworldforfuturegenerations.OurtripstoKenyaareonly8-9days,yetyouwillbeamazedathowmuchyoucansee,howmuchyouwilllearn,andhowmuchyoucanaccomplishinashortperiodoftime.Thescheduleincludes3-4daysworkingintheKiberaSlum,and2-3daysonasafariatoneofKenya’snationalparks.TheexperienceinKiberacanbequiteemotional,chaotic,andintense.Itisnoteasytomakesenseofthepoverty,thesqualor,andthefrenzyofslumlife.Atthesametime,youwillbetouchedbythecourage,resilience,andhopeofchildrenandadultsalikewhoareworkinghardtoimprovetheirlifecircumstances.Attheendofeachday,wewillreturntoacleanandcomfortablehotelwhereyouwillfindelectricity,runningwater,andmosquitonetting.Youcanexpecthealthyandgoodmeals.However,eachvolunteershouldberemindedthatwearetravelinginAfrica;theremaybepoweroutages,andhotwaterisneverguaranteed.Ifthesetypesofinconveniencesareproblematic,thistripmaynotbeidealforyou.Ourpledgeistofacilitateanunforgettableexperiencethatwillopenyourheart,challengeyourthinking,andperhapsunleashyourpassionforphilanthropy.TohelpguideyouinmakinganinformeddecisionaboutjoiningaCTtrip,pleaseseetheencloseddocumentsregardingcostsandsampleitinerary.Withanticipation,CarterViaExecutiveDirector


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TripCost&BreakdownOurtripfeescovermostofyourexpensesonthegroundinKenyaincludingroom,board,groundtransportation,andallsafaricosts.Wedonotcoverthecostofflights.Ifyouneedassistancechoosingyourflights,donothesitatetogetintouchwithus!

Ø Adultrate$2,500.00Ø Student/Family/Group*rate:$2,200.00

*Groupsarefifteenormorepersons.If the above ratesmight prohibit you from travelingwithCrossing Thresholds, PLEASE get intouchwithusbyemailorphonetodiscusspossiblescholarshipfundsand/orfundraisingideas([email protected] or 914-815-8620). It is our commitment as an organization tomakethisexperienceaccessibletoasmanypeopleaspossible.

*coversproject,program,andmaterialcosts.

Item: Cost:Nairobihotel,meals,andtransportation $1,000.00Safarihotel,meals,andtransportation $500.00Safarientrancefees $200.00Administrationfees $300.00ProjectContribution* $500.00

Total $2,500.00


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TripPreparationForm PurchaseFlights [email protected]

Makesureyourpassportisvalidforthenextsixmonths(Visarequirement) Writedepositcheckfor$500(non-refundable)toCrossingThresholds

FilloutandmailinDisclosureForm,ReleaseForm,anddepositcheckinattachedenvelopeCheckenclosedpackinglistConsultaphysician,and/orgetCDCrecommendedmedsandimmunizations:http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya

Malaria(recommendeddailydose) Yellowfever Typhoid HepatitisA HepatitisB Routinevaccinations:Meningitis,measles,mumps,rabies,polio

GettinganonlineVISA:Pleasegoonlinetoacquireyourvisawellinadvanceofthetrip.Youcanapplyfora$50visaathttps://kenyaembassy.com/nyservices/appforvisaonline.aspx--or--http://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html30daysbeforedeparture:Mailinremainderofpayment(non-refundable)($2,000foradult,$1,700forstudent/family/group)Dependingonshoppinginterestsbring$200–300inspendingmoney.IfyouneedtotakeoutmoremoneywhileinKenya,wewillhaveaccesstoATMs

ContactIfyouhaveanyquestionsorcomments,pleasedonothesitatetocalloremailus:CarterVia:[email protected],914-610-8492AlyLuiso:[email protected],914-815-8620


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PackingListOurfirstsuggestionistotravellightly—youwillberesponsibleforyourownluggagethroughoutthetripandwillprobablywantspacetobringhomegiftsandotheritemsfromKenya.Canvasornylonduffelbagsarerecommendedratherthanhardluggage.And,youareadvisedtopack1-2daysworthofessentialsinyourcarry-onluggageincaseyourbagsaredelayed.Asmostairlinesallowfortwosuitcases,itisourhopethatyoumaybesowillingtocarryasecondbagonbehalfofCrossingThresholdsthatisfilledwithdonations.Ofcriticalimportanceareyourpassport,visa,planeticket,medications,andspendingmoney.Dependingonyourshoppinghabits–youshouldbring$200–300(orplantotakeoutcashatATMs).1USDollaris100KenyanShillings.Meals,transportation,andhotelcostsarecoveredbythetripfee.Alcoholicbeverages,drinksoutsideofmealtimes,laundry,andextrahotelnightswillincuradditionalcharges.Foryourgeneralinformation,theweatherisacomfortable60-70°F.ThoughKenyaliesastridetheequator,thehigheraltitudescreatecoolertemperatures–especiallyatnightwhenasweaterorlightjacketmightbenecessary.

PERSONALEFFECTS• Smalldaypackw/zipper• Flashlight• Camera• Outletadapter• Towelandwashcloth• Toiletries• Sunscreen• Sunglasses• Hatand/orbandana• Insectrepellant(20-35%DEET)• Antibacterialwipesand/orPurell• Journalandpen• Waterbottle• Workgloves(ifdoingconstruction)• Tissues/toiletpaper(notalwaysavailablein

publicrestrooms)• Prescriptionmedications• Lockforsuitcase• Beddingandmosquitonetsareprovided*• Laundryisavailableatthehotel*

CLOTHING• Sturdywalkingshoesandsocks• Sandalsorflip-flopsforeveningwear• Sweaterorsweatshirt• Sweatshirtorrainjacketforsafari

(sunrisegamedrivewillbecold!)• 1-2pairofworkpants/jeans• 2-3pairoflightweightpants• 1-2pairofshorts(kneelength)• 5-6T-shirts(notsleeveless)• 1-2skirtsforwomen(covertheknees)OPTIONAL• Energyconverter• Overnightbagtopackclothesfor

weekendsafaritrip• Paper,crayons,etc.forgroupactivities

withthestudents• Granola/energybarsforsnacks• Cashforexchange,creditcards,and/or

debitcard(1USD=100KSH)• T-shirts,watches,hats,andbandanas

aremuchdesiredandcanbeusedforbargaininginmarkets


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TripInformation

MoreaboutKibera

TheKiberaslumishometoroughlyonemillionpeople.ThisunauthorizedsettlementontheoutskirtsofNairobi,KenyaisthedensestsluminAfrica,andthesecondlargestslumintheworld.SincetheKenyanGovernmentdoesnotrecognizetheresidents’righttolivethere,theydonotprovidelocalinfrastructure.Thereisnosewagesystem,fewschools,andevenfewermedicalfacilities.CThasbeenbringingvolunteerstoworkinKiberasince2008,andleadingworktripstoassistourschool-buildingprojectsontheground.FacingtheFutureSchool(FAFU)

InJanuary2011,CTestablishedapartnershipwithSimeonAjigo.Simeon’svisionwastocreateasafeenvironmentinKiberaforthechildrenofsinglemothers.Simeon’svisionquicklygrewtoincludeapreschool,primaryschool,healthclinic,andcommunityoutreachprogramforat-riskteenagersintheslum.FAFUserves300childrenandprovideseachstudentwithtwomealsperday.Tofurtherenrichthelearningenvironment,CThelpedlaunchadynamicmusicprogram,avarietyofsportsprograms,andmuchneededmedicalandtherapeuticservices.

MobjapPrimarySchoolOurmostrecentschool-buildingprojectbeganinJanuary2016withcommunityleader,AsanyaBernard.Priortothisdate,Asanyawasfeedingandeducatingmorethan250kidsinunimaginableconditions.Buthiswillanddeterminationwereunflappable.Followingthepurchaseofapieceoflandin2015,CTinitiatedconstructiononthefirstbuildingoftheMobjap(GardenofHope)PrimarySchool.Onourtrip,wewillbeonsiteatMobjapdoingconstructionandinteractingwiththekids.ThresholdsHighSchool,NyeriDistrict,Kenya

Withlessthan10%ofKibera’sgraduatingeighthgradersabletopursuehighschooleducation,CTsawtheconstructionofthishighschoolasimperative.TheschoolcampuswasbuiltapproximatelytwohoursnorthofNairobiintheNyeridistrictofKenya,withaboardingfacilitytogivestudentsthechancetolearnandgrowoutsidetheKiberaSlum.Onthistrip,youwillhavetheopportunitytovisittheschoolandhopefullymeetourpartner,LawrenceKabuthi.WorkingwithCT

NoexperienceisnecessarytojoinaCTworktrip.Ourprogramusuallycontainsanelementofconstruction,butwealsoencouragevolunteerstoutilizetheirpersonalskillsandsharethemwiththechildrenandstaffatourpartnerschools.Pastvolunteershaveprovidedmedicalcheck-ups,startedmusicprograms,trainedFAFUstaffmembersintraumacounseling,ledexercise,drama,and/orartclasses,andprovidedcareercounselingfortheFAFUYouthGroupmembers.Ifyouhaveanyideasaboutanactivityyouwouldliketoplan,pleasecontactusandwecanhelpyoupreparebeforethetrip.


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THEBIGBUILDCELEBRATING10YEARSINTHEKIBERASLUM!

AspartofCrossingThresholds’tenyearanniversary(2018),nextsummerwewilltakeonourbiggestchallengetodate--TheBigBuild.Onthistrip,wewillsetouttobuildanentireschoolfor300+kidsinamere10days.Itwillbethemostlaborintensiveanddemandingtripinour10yearhistory.Butatthesametime,itwillbeanincrediblyexciting,satisfying,andrewardingexperienceforthosewhotakeonthechallenge.Herearethepertinentdetails:

•  June22ndthroughJuly4th.Thisincludes6-7workdaysaswellasa2-3daysafari.

•  Maximumnumberofspotsforthistripissetat50.Wewillnotexceedthatnumber,SOPLEASEreserveyourspotassoonaspossible.

•  Tripcosts--$2500foradults,and$2200forstudents.

•  ThecostofanewschoolinKiberaisapproximately$50,000USdollars.Eachtripparticipantwillbeexpectedtoraise$1,000dollarstowardsthenewschool.

Friday,June22nd–Wednesday,July4thKiberaSlum,Nairobi,Kenya

CROSSINGTHRESHOLDS168AIrvingAvenueSuite300K,PortChester,NewYork,10573(914)815-8620|[email protected]|www.crossingthresholds.org

TensofthousandsofKibera'schildrenarestillwaitingforthechancetobeinschool.Sojoinus,andembarkonthegreatest

journeyCrossingThresholdshasyettooffer!


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THEBIGBUILDTripItinerary:June22nd–July4th,2018Friday,Jun.22nd Evening: -DeparturefromUSASaturday,Jun.23rd Evening: -Airportpick-upandtransferto

GraciaGardenshotelinNairobiSunday,Jun.24th Morning: -Breakfastat9AMinthediningroom

-IntroductionsandOrientation -VisittoDavidSheldrickElephantSanctuary

Afternoon: -Lunch-VisittoGiraffeFeedingCenter-DrivebacktoGraciaGardens

Evening: -DinnerMonday,Jun.25th Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AM

-Departat8:30AMtoprojectsiteinKiberaAfternoon: -Lunch

-Workuntil4PM,returntohotelEvening: -Dinnerandreflections

Tuesday,Jun.26thth Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AM

-Departat8:30AMtoprojectsiteinKibera

Afternoon: -Lunch-Workuntil4PM,returntohotel

Evening: -DinnerandreflectionsWednesday, Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AMJun.27thth-Departat8:30AMforprojectsiteinKibera


Evening: -DinnerandreflectionsThursday,Jun.28th Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AM

-Departat8:30AMforprojectsiteinKibera Afternoon: -Lunch



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Friday,Jun.29th Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AM

-Departat8:30AMforprojectsiteinKibera


Evening: -DinnerandreflectionsSaturday,Jun.30th Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AM

-Departat8:30AMforprojectsiteinKibera Afternoon: -Lunch


Sunday,Jul.1st Morning: -Breakfastat7:30AM Afternoon: -SchoolDedicationCeremony Evening: -AirportDropOff–TravelHome!*Monday,July2nd–Wednesday,July4th*

Forthoseinterestedinextendingtheirtripwithathree-daySafariorBeachexcursion,CTwillhappilycoordinatethroughLukundoSafarisandTours.


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CrossingThresholdsInc.–KenyaTrip

AgreementandRelease

TripDates:______________________________________________

Thisdocumentisalegallybindingrelease,which,incertainsituations,willreduceoreliminateyourlegalrights

andlegalrecourse.Pleasereaditcarefullybeforesigning.

ThisAGREEMENTandRELEASEisbetween________________________________________(“Participant”)and

CrossingThresholds,Inc.(CT).ThisAgreementandReleaseisenteredintoinconnectionwiththeprogram

sponsoredbyCT,whichprovidestheopportunityforParticipanttotraveltoKenyatoengageinvolunteerservice

andculturalexchange.ParticipantentersintothisAgreementandReleaseinconsiderationoftheopportunityto

participateintheProgramandforothergoodandvaluableconsideration,thesufficiencyofwhichtheparties

acknowledge

ParticipantacknowledgesthatthePrograminvolvestraveltoadevelopingcountrywithapossiblyunstable

politicalsystemanddifferingculturalexpectationsandpractices.Participantacknowledgesthattherearerisks

inherentinsuchtrips,including,butnotlimitedto,forcesofnature,accidentorillnessinremoteplaceswithout

immediateaccesstoadequatemedicalfacilities,alowerstandardofsanitation,jobsiteinjury,andtravelbyair,

automobile,truck,onfootorbyotherconveyance.ParticipantassumesalltherisksoftheProgram,including

healthandpersonalsafetyrisks,andwaivesallclaimsforlossorinjurytopersonorpropertywhileparticipatingin

anyoftheactivitiescontemplatedthereby,whethersuchlossorinjuryresultsfromthenegligenceofCTorits

officers,directors,employees,liabilityinsurancecarriersoragents,orfromsomeothercause.Therefore,in

considerationoftherighttoparticipateintheProgram,andoftheservices,foodandtransportationarrangedby

CTanditsagentsandassociates,theundersignedParticipant,intendingtobelegallybound,consentstothe

assumptionofsuchrisks,andagreestoforeverwaive,dischargeandreleaseforParticipantandParticipant’sheirs,

executors,andadministrators,allrightsandclaimsforinjuries,damages,illness,losses,demandsandother

actionsofeverykindandnaturewhatsoever,whichParticipantmayhaveagainstCToritsofficers,directors,

employees,liabilityinsurancecarriersandagentsandallofthoseentities'representatives,successorsandassigns,

resultingfromorinconnectionwiththeProgramoranyotheractivitiesarrangedforParticipantbyCTand/orits

agentsandassociates.

Signature:__________________________________________________ Date:____________


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CrossingThresholdsInc.–KenyaTrip

PersonalandHealthInformationDisclosurePleaseletusknowofanyphysicallimitationsormedicalconditionswhichmay,foranyreason,

interferewithyourabilitytofullyparticipateintheprogram.

TripDates:_______________________________________

Name(asitappearsonyourpassport):

_____________________________________________________________________________________

MailingAddress:

City/State/Zip:

HomePhone: DayPhone/Cell:

PreferredE-Mail:

Passport#: ExpirationDate:

Issuingcountry:

(Pleasenote-Passportmustbevalidforatleast6monthsfromdateofdeparture!)

•Doyouhaveanymedicalorsurgicalcondition(s)thatrequireyoutoseeaphysicianregularly?

❑Yes Ifyes,pleaseexplain:

❑No

•Haveyouhadanymedicalconditionwhichisnowstable,butwhichmayrecurwhiletraveling?


❑No

•Pleaselistanyphysicallimitationsthatyouhave(i.e.impairedvision,hearing,breathing,mobility,

etc):


❑No


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•Doyouhaveahistoryofmentaloremotionalinstabilityforwhichyouhavesoughtmedical

attention?


❑No

•Areyoucurrentlyunderthecareofaphysicianforanyoftheabove-mentionedconditions?


❑No

•Pleaselistallmedicationsthatyouarecurrentlytaking;bothprescriptionandover-the-counterand

thereasonfortakingthemedication(s):

•Pleaselistallallergiesthatyouhave(includingmedication,food,environmental,etc.),orindicate

none:

•Pleaseindicateifyouhaveanyspecialdietaryrestrictions:

•WhoisyourPersonalPhysician:

Phone#:

•Yourcurrenthealthinsurancepolicy:

Company:

Policy#: Group#:

NameofInsured: SSN#ofpolicyholder:


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•Areyouplanningtopurchaseemergencymedicalevacuationinsurance?

❑Yes

Ifyes,providethenameofthepolicy

____________________________________________________________

❑No

EMERGENCYCONTACT:

Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

EvePhone:

DayPhone/Cell:

Iaffirmthatalltheaboveinformationistrueandaccuratetothebestofmyknowledge.Iunderstand

thehealthrisksinvolvedintravelingtoadevelopingcountry.Iconsidermyselfingoodmentaland

physicalshape.

Signature:________________________________________________ Date:

Documents

Welcome Packet - First Congregational Church