A Thank You Note

Sometimes international mail is not the most reliable. Almost a month and a half ago, I mailed out a beautiful stack of bright pink thank you cards to everyone who donated to fund my year in Jordan on the SALT program. So far, I have only heard of one of those cards reaching it's destination. I apologize for the delay, and if anyone else receives their thank you card, please let me know. I am hoping that they did not all get lost in mail.

Since, there is no guarantee that the cards will reach their recipients in a timely manner, I post this blog instead. Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this process in anyway. Without all of you this year would not be possible. I cherish your thoughts and prayers when things are difficult or when I miss home, and I am in wonder of your support and care during the fun times and the once in a lifetime adventures. Thank you all for everything you have done to help me get here, and I am thinking about you all and praying that God blesses you always.

Fundraising complete: CHECK!

I am ecstatic to announce that as of today I have officially completed my SALT fundraising! I have raised over $5,000.

Thank you to all the people who have donated to support my year in Jordan- family, friends, distant cousins I haven't met, and everyone else! Special thank yous to Holly Grove Mennonite Church, Wallingford Presbyterian Church, and the Rehobeth Ruritan Club for their support.

Tiffany and I, before she left for Taiwan.

If you're now thinking "Oh, shucks! I was going to donate to her!" Never fear! There are other SALTers still fundraising. Go here to find a SALTer still in need of support. Or, my friend Tiffany Barron is still fundraising to support her year in Taiwan with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Click here for more information on what she's doing, or click here to donate!

Again: Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me through donation, prayers, and well wishes! Please continue to support me throughout the year, and to keep in contact with me! (I love comments on my blog!)


In other SALTing news: I have started going to my pre-MCC doctors appointments (I know I'm late in the game). I have registered for my Arabic lessons in Amman, still waiting to hear where I'm living for that month. And, I know where I'm living from October until July- I will be at the YWCA in Al Husn (alternative spelling because of transliteration include Al Hassan and Al Hosn). As soon as I have official word on my mailing address I will let you all know.

Almost Graduated.... Almost.

Longwood Garden

These past couple weeks have been really strange. About three weeks ago I finished my undergraduate classes, and two weeks ago I finished all my work. I've spent the last two weeks hanging out around Swarthmore doing very little. It's been a strange feeling not having anything to do. One of my friends actually went through some really intense feelings of guilt over it... Swarthmore may have made us all workaholics who can't handle ourselves without work. I do not think I have quite grasped the idea that I will not have piles upon piles of homework to do everyday anymore, well at least until I go to grad school and that's at the very least a year away!

Fancy Dinner

This past week has been crazy. It's Senior Week here at Swarthmore. Basically, the college is trying to make up for running us ragged the past four years by giving us fun things to do and lots of food. Some of my favorite events this week included going to Longwood Gardens, the Phillies vs. Red Sox game (Phillies won!), fancy dinner, and Last Collection. Collections are a Swarthmore tradition, well really a Quaker College tradition, where the community comes together and listens to each other. During Orientation, all the freshmen attend First Collection which ends with a candle lighting ceremony and inducts you into the Swarthmore community. Last Collection also ends with a candle lighting ceremony, but it sends you out into the world. Our homework assignment was simple: go change the world, make it a better place-- well, maybe not so simple, but I think SALT is a good step in the right direction.

Phillies vs. Red Sox

My family is coming up to Swarthmore today! Today is Baccalaureate and department receptions. Tomorrow is the big day: Commencement. After tomorrow I will no longer be a college student, and I will officially be a college graduate! EEK!

Last Collection

In Fundraising news- since I know you are all dying to hear about it- the total donates on my MCC page has passed $2,000! According to Dad's calculations that combined with the donates from my home church, we've reached over $3,000, that's about 60% of my total goal. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. If you haven't PLEASE donate

Online Service Support

My online service support registry is live. Please donate to support my work in Jordan!

Hannah Kurtz in Jordan

Fund Raising

For the next year, from August 14, 2013 to July 25, 2014, I will be volunteering with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), through their Serving and Learning Together (SALT) program. I chose MCC because I have seen first-hand how committed they are to engaging directly in their communities and doing everything they can to make a difference. I am excited to put myself out there and contribute to MCC's work and the lives of people they serve, and I am humbled to imagine how these interactions will change me.

I will serve in Irbid, Jordan, as a Teacher Assistant at The Arab Episcopal School. The Arab Episcopal School aims to integrate sighted, low vision, and blind children, and welcomes both Muslims and Christians, serving students from kindergarten through ninth grade. While I am at the school, I will help low vision students with English and assist teachers when needed, help the administration handle correspondence in English, maintain the school newsletter and website, and I will also create and teach a conversational English class once a week.

All SALT participants are expected to fund-raise a minimum contribution of $5,000 before the start of their SALT term. During the SALT term, MCC will cover all assignment related costs including, but not limited to, travel, food, and household expenses, and will provide a small monthly stipend. In order to cover this minimum contribution I am asking for your financial support. All contributions are tax deductible, and must be made by July 13, 2013.

There are two easy ways to financially support me:

• Donate Online using my SALT support Giving Registry at https://donate.mcc.org/salt
• Donate by Check using a SALT Donation Form. 
  • Checks should be made out to Mennonite Central Committee.
  • Include “SALT – Hannah Kurtz” on the memo line, otherwise the money will not be counted towards my goal!
  • Mail to:
    Mennonite Central Committee
    PO Box 500
    Akron, PA 17501

If you are unable to help support me financially at this time, there are other ways to support me throughout my year of service. Prayers and well wishes are always appreciated. I will also be keeping a blog during my time as a SALTer which you are welcome to follow, http://hkurtzsalt.blogspot.com/.

Thank you for your support as I begin this next chapter in my life.

God Bless!