Who We Are

Who are the people that make up Bridges of Promise?
We are two women
   who reach out to communities and strangers.
We form friendships and partnerships.
As we come together
   we act on our faith.
Grace begins
   and lives are transformed.
Not just the lives of those we serve,
   but our lives are changed.
Abundance spreads its wings,
   and we are reminded
We are each children of a loving God 
   who wants goodness for us all.


Our names are Karen Schuster and Sandra Fazzino. We live and work in the San Francisco bay area with our loving and supportive husbands and entertaining pets.


The Inspiration Behind Bridges of Promise
In the summer of 2008 Karen was calmly sitting at the 8am mass at St Patrick parish in Larkspur, when a visiting priest, Father Simon Taabu, got up to speak about his community in Rulenge Tanzania. He talked about a community without potable water, where his 75 year old mother walks five miles to fill her jars with water that is still not safe to drink. He described diocese orphanages filled with children whose parents were victims of AIDS and malaria. He said they need things so basic as paper for school, a tin of band aids, a box of infant formula. Karen can’t exactly explain it, but at that moment Fr Simon was speaking directly to her – he touched her heart. After mass she sought him out and asked what she might do to help. He responded by telling her whatever you do will help.  Karen was inspired and began raising money and spreading awareness immediately. One day, when announcing her first event to the parish, Sandra felt that same calling that Karen was struck by when she first heard Father Simon. Together, their enthusiasm grew and Bridges of Promise was born.