Three 91短视频 graduates and a rising sophomore have begun terms with the (SALT) program.
As participants in the year-long Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) cross-cultural voluntary service program, 鈥淪ALTers鈥� serve with a local agency while living with host families or in communal settings such as dormitories or teacher housing. Their assignments correlate to their skills and professional interests.
This year鈥檚 39 SALTers have been placed in 25 countries, said program coordinator Wade Snowdon. The program has historically attracted a number of 91短视频 graduates. In 2015, a record-high number of nine 91短视频 alumni served (out of 51 total participants).
At that time, Snowdon noted that 91短视频 alumni are characterized by their proven 鈥渄esire for and understanding of peace and social justice.鈥�
鈥淭hey come to us with a firm foundation in what it means to humbly work alongside communities in need in ways that are empowering and help to maintain the dignity of those we serve,鈥� he said.
The year of service often contributes to a strong resume and the development of attributes that employers find attractive, including strong communication skills, creativity and adaptability, and a well-rounded and versatile skill set, he said.
The three 2019 graduates and their assignments, which include some in areas of sensitivity, are:
- Noah Haglund of Springs, Pennsylvania, a peacebuilding and development major with minors in political science and pre-law, will be a grant writer with a nongovernmental organization in the Middle East that helps refugees and those impacted by war.
- Christy Kauffman of West Liberty, Ohio, a digital communications major, will be a communications capacity building assistant with MCC Haiti in Port-au-Prince.
- Lydia Musselman of Denver, Pennsylvania, a psychology major with minors in Bible and religion and nonprofit management, will be a research and administration volunteer at an ecumenical center in the Middle East.
Hannah Kurtz of Goshen, Indiana, who has finished her first year as a biology major and psychology minor, has also taken an assignment. She will be a classroom and health assistant at Guarderia Samuelito (Samuel Daycare) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. A project of the Evangelical Mennonite Church of Bolivia, the facility provides holistic Christian service to the community through a daycare center for families with limited economic resources. This also includes supporting the parents through home visits, workshops and education with the goal of improving the home environments of the children in the area of intellectual stimulation, health and hygiene.