Working with Syrian & Lebanese Children

Dear Friends & Family,
Over the last four years, I've felt increasingly called to work with children in the Mid East, so I left DC and arrived in Beirut, Lebanon in June. I volunteered as an English teacher in Joun, a village in the Chouf Mountains and worked with Syrian & Lebanese students from July - Sept. I realized that to best work with children from/in Syria as soon as possible, I need to learn Arabic.
I had not budgeted to learn Arabic, but now know it's necessary. I'll use this money for room & tuition for intensive study from Jan. to June, 2017. To reserve a spot, I put a deposit down at Thanksgiving.
Though I'm not comfortable asking for help, working with women & children is where my heart has been for a while, & now that I have, it's where I want to spend the rest of my career. Learning basic Arabic will enable me to do the best work I can on behalf of vulnerable children & is essential for this next chapter of my life & career.
Receiving help from family and friends would mean the world to me. Should I receive money above this amount, it will go to Ali, who is blind with physical disabilities; for any wish that makes him happy (below).

Thank you and Happy New Year!
Kelly

Dear Friends & Family,
Over the last four years, I've felt increasingly called to work with children in the Mid East, so I left DC and arrived in Beirut, Lebanon in June. I volunteered as an English teacher in Joun, a village in the Chouf Mountains and worked with Syrian & Lebanese students from July - Sept. I realized that to best work with children from/in Syria as soon as possible, I need to learn Arabic.
I had not budgeted to learn Arabic, but now know it's necessary. I'll use this money for room & tuition for intensive study from Jan. to June, 2017. To reserve a spot, I put a deposit down at Thanksgiving.
Though I'm not comfortable asking for help, working with women & children is where my heart has been for a while, & now that I have, it's where I want to spend the rest of my career. Learning basic Arabic will enable me to do the best work I can on behalf of vulnerable children & is essential for this next chapter of my life & career.
Receiving help from family and friends would mean the world to me. Should I receive money above this amount, it will go to Ali, who is blind with physical disabilities; for any wish that makes him happy (below).

Thank you and Happy New Year!
Kelly
Organizer
Kelly Hicks
Organizer
Hyattsville, MD