tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26030529662341141812024-03-13T18:53:13.685+00:00Volunteers' blogDar Asni Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071208570299595997noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-26287878470759131502015-11-08T20:19:00.002+00:002015-11-08T20:33:28.143+00:00The official opening of Dar Asni 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I was lucky enough to be placed in the new
house in Asni with the older girls who attend the Lycee and I have now been
volunteering there for almost a month. I
was given a wonderful welcome by Khadija, the housemother, and the girls when I
arrived. Since then I have been giving extra English classes when the girls have free
time during the school day as well as helping them with homework in the
evening. In addition I’ve been talking
to them in French (which is as good practice for me as it is for them!) All in all I’ve had the most fantastic time
as they are so keen to learn and we have been able to have fun even when going
over English grammar!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">But the main reason that I am writing is to
report on the official opening of the house on Sunday 1st November. </span>Furniture had been arriving all week – both
chairs and flatpack office stuff – the carpenter has virtually moved in; photos
and information have been posted on the new notice boards; Khamissa, the cook
has been baking solidly for at least four days and huge plates of cakes,
biscuits and snacks (even chocolate ones!) have been arriving from all the
other EFA houses; Sinead, the volunteer from Dar Asni 1 has produced a lovely
painting with the girls of butterflies taking flight; and on a more mundane
level girls have been scrubbing the walls while Khadija has been briefing the older
ones on their individual roles for the ceremony itself.<br />
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The day dawned to the steady drumming of
rain but the house was full of frenetic activity as all the tables which had
been laid out on the terrace were brought downstairs to the dining room. And
then the power went out, followed in quick succession by the water drying up as
electricity is required to pump it up.
This did not help the general stress levels of the staff but nothing
daunted, buckets were filled with what little water was left in the hot tank
and the table was laid up with huge plates of spectacular tarts, cakes,
pastries and cookies as well as two stunning flower arrangements of roses.<br />
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And this was a result of Maryk, one of the
EFA Committee members, suggesting two weeks ago that there should just be a few
simple refreshments! I have come to
realise that in Morocco when guests are involved nothing is simple. The balloons that I had brought were put to
good use, and I helped Zineb, one of the baccalaureate girls practise the short
speech of welcome which she was to give.
A few of the girls appeared in gorgeous brightly coloured and very
elegant traditional dress.<br />
<br />
Although the whole thing was due to start
at 11am most of the guests had arrived by 10.40 and it was so freezing and wet
outside that the cutting of the ribbon and the official entry to the house went
on ahead of time. <br />
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The VIPS then were
greeted with a little cup of milk and a date as they came through the entrance
to meet all the girls who were lined up in the hall. Zineb delivered her speech impeccably and
first all the guests were invited through for juice, coffee and (of course!)
mint tea and politely grazed on the fantastic spread of food. Fifteen minutes later word was given that the
girls could help themselves so in about 10 minutes the table was cleared of the
best of the snacks particularly anything with chocolate as that is a major
treat here!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">And after that the real party began as the
drums were brought out and the dancing got under way. In the echoing hall the noise reverberated
around the whole house and the girls, housemothers and staff had a ball! It certainly was huge fun as everyone dances
together and there is loads of clapping and a certain amount of singing. After a prolonged photo session for the staff
from each of the houses as well as several of the committee members and the
VIPS most of the guests left and the girls kept on drumming! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">But I then had the chance to talk to one of
the EFA girls who is now studying at Marrakech University. She was really impressive and told me in very
fluent English how she was studying biology and hoped to return to the High
Atlas to work on improving farming methods in the future. I asked her how she had found the transition
from an EFA boarding house to the city, and she did say that it had been hard
in her first year to cope with the demands of a pretty full day of classes as
well as all the business of cooking and cleaning in her hostel. But she now seems well on track to complete
her degree and I felt she was a fantastic role model for the other girls and
really embodied the aims of EFA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB">And then the clear-up commenced – by now
with electricity but still without running water. Ever resourceful, bottled water was used and
the quantities of plates and cups were all washed and dried, though I think it
felt terribly wasteful to use up all those precious supplies of bottled water
on washing dishes, but there was just no alternative. And of course just as we finished a tiny
stream of water appeared from the taps …!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">There was no doubt that it had been a
hugely successful day, despite the challenges of no power or water, and I felt
really privileged to be part of it. I
have no doubt that when I return in the future there will be loads more
improvements but for the time being it really is a fantastic house with 30 very
happy and enthusiastic girls and some great staff. I already wish I could stay beyond the end of
November!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
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<br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><i> Jean Howat - Volunteer in Dar Asni 3</i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-91931675130654542262015-03-30T19:45:00.000+01:002015-03-30T19:45:06.977+01:00Arrgh, it’s over already!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Quelle
dommage! I’ve not been here long, certainly not long enough, and it’s already
time to go and get a ‘real job’. We’ve all just got into our groove here, not
that there is one actually, each week is different and one must be as flexible
as an olympic gymnast; inventing activities on demand and being prepared to
ditch whatever you’ve spent the morning concocting. The girls have got another
round of internal assessment this week; so they must primarily focus on
revision rather than activities with me. Still I’ve been more than happy
washing up, and peeling and chopping carrots this morning, as poor Samira’s got
tonsillitis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The really
good news is that I’ve rationed my Marmite stash perfectly. I was sweating at
one point wondering how I would cope without my viscous black pot of goodness
to balance out the intense sweetness of breakfast time. One of my molars has actually
crumbled under the sugary strain. I’ve almost certainly got self-induced
diabetes, and am much tubbier and more tagine-shaped than when I arrived which
is testament to all the delicious and plentiful food I’ve had the pleasure of
eating, and all the tea I’ve washed it down with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">From a
subjective point of view I really feel that this organisation functions as the vision
aspires to. In essence, most of the girls here are getting an education that
they otherwise would not have, and they’re enjoying it too. Objectively, I can
see new challenges becoming apparent, as the whole project matures and expands.
Tthe constant burden of trying to match the money that was raised last year in
order to keep the 5 houses running, keep the worker’s wages paid, and subsidise
those girls who have made it to university, is an on-going pressure. In this
corner of the country, EFA is now a very reputable and well-trusted
organisation, so there will ensue rigorous competition for a place at one of the
boarding house in future. Once one sibling has been through the system and
tested the water, all the other girls in that family want to follow suit. The
facilities and quality of life in these boarding houses is fantastic so who
wouldn’t want to come here! The selection process for the girls will have to
become stricter and the criteria tougher as popularity grows. There are still
many, <i>many,</i> more potential students
than there are places for in boarding houses nationally; and it’s essential
that EFA’s boarding houses are for the girls who really would not be in
education if it wasn’t for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve just spent the weekend with a group of girls from
Imlil. They don’t have loads of spare money but they do own lots of land and
apple trees. Imlil is most definitely in the catchment area for Asni, so technically
the girls should all be going to College there, thus freeing up space in
Ouirgane for girls from those <i>really </i>hard
to get to places deep in the mountains. However I’m told that the College in
Asni is full and oversubscribed, so….what does this mean for those girls from
Imlil; they deserve an education too. Equally there are girls staying here that
live in Ouirgane and Maregha, both towns are only 3kms away from school- a 45minute
hike uphill. They’re absolutely in the catchment for the college here but
should they be staying in the boarding house if they live walking distance
away. These are the kind of issues that are coming to light now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Anyway, there
are some brilliant helmsmen and women steering Education For All in the right
direction. I’m talking about committee members, the volunteer coordinators, the
fundraisers and of course all the folk doing the ground work in the houses here.
Then there are the rudderless hippies like myself that come along, and HOPEFULLY
have given <i>at least</i> as much as
they’ve gain from this incredible experience. I recognise that a volunteer with
a sound knowledge of French language is of great value to the girls here. This
has always been my shortfall. Although English will be as useful to them in
future, and there is talk of it replacing French as the second language, at
this stage of their education, French is their priority. Still they’ve been
super keen to learn some English with me and I’m astounded by their capacity and
eagerness for language learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">‘Working’
with the girls during the day, through games and activities: craft,
environmental, theatrical and some more academically challenging ones, has been
so enjoyable. Everything is new so everything presents a learning opportunity-
for me as well as the girls. I recognise that the girls are having a good time
when they’re laughing and smiling, and I would say that laughing and learning can
most definitely be synchronous activities. Often I have felt this is not the belief
shared by the responsibles here who have gone through the antiquated education
system in Morocco themselves, and perhaps perceive learning to be an arduous
task indeed. Still, the girls are well disciplined to crack on with their
homework in the evenings, so during the day whilst they’re not in lessons, a
bit of fun is good to re-energise the mind, body and soul I think. No harm
done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Honestly my best bit has been getting an exclusive
glimpse in to the lives of these young Moroccan women. Having been welcomed so
warmly it burns, in to their homes, in to their Berber communities, (without
even being able to speak the same language), has been an absolute privilege of
a lifetime. I’m desperate to stay in contact with my 38 new best friends and
see how their lives pan-out. I’m bursting with gratitude for the hospitality
I’ve received here, and I wish all the girls supported by EFA all the luck in
the world. Thanks very much everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>Lucy Goodman</i></span></div>
Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-55486106158606262292015-02-21T21:43:00.002+00:002015-02-21T21:43:07.705+00:00A crazy commute to college!<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">School children risk their lives for an
education! This may sound exaggerated, but it certainly isn’t a million miles
from the truth as I discovered last weekend. In the trusted hands of Fatima, I
experienced the trials and tribulations that traveling to and from school can
incur, as we made what seemed like a million-mile journey back to her remote
mountain village.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know that
you’re not supposed to have favourites….but let’s be honest….sometimes the odd character
shines through and you feel a special connection. To me it feels as if I’ve
known Fatima all my life; and although she comes from Iznagne, which feels like
the most out-of the way place in the world, she could have come from down-town Agadir
and you wouldn’t know the difference. I was thrilled to be invited back to her
house for the weekend, and made sure she’d checked with her parents first, fearful
of an awkward moment upon arrival. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The school
timetable here starts bright and early at 8am and finishes at 5pm daily.
Students have lessons sporadically in-between times, except on Fridays when the
afternoon is free to digest your cous-cous. This comes in return for a Saturday
morning stint which makes for a short weekend, especially when you have a long
way to get home, and you’re not quite sure how long you’ll have to wait for
some transport to get there. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’re starting
from Ouirgane, which is on the ‘main’ road between Asni and Tarroudant, but is
not a well-trodden tourist route because of the tricky ‘Tizi n’test pass’
(2100m asl) which demands careful negotiation; particularly this time of year
in the snow. There is no bus service; just your standard grand taxis, passing lorries,
cattle trucks and stripped out minibuses-so that double or triple the amount of
people can squeeze in. Seemingly the safest and most reliable way to travel is
definitely by donkey or mule, which we can refer to as the ‘Berber 4x4’. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yellah Lucy!”,
Fatima was encouraging me to eat faster as we scoffed our lunch (a delicious
carrot and potato ensemble, thanks to Samira) at midday on Saturday. As I
understood it, we were rushing to make our way out on to the road to catch some
‘transport’ that was pre-arranged. Turns out we were hurrying to stand by the
road to flag down what-ever vehicle is passing and willing. The problem is that
most of the vehicles are full before they leave Asni, predominantly to make the
journey as economical as possible, and also because there is a general lack of
transport around these satellite towns. When I say full, I don’t just mean that
all the seats are taken, I mean people are already riding on the roof and
hanging out the window! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Within an hour we managed to bundle in to a
van, and the existing passengers were none too pleased to have to find room for
two more bodies, especially one foreigner with a big back-pack. As usual, one poor
older lady was chundering away in to a plastic bag as we wound our way further
in to the mountains. Top tip: carry oranges to share at these moments….not to
eat but to peel and hold to your nose. I’ve observed this clever trick before,
and it is pretty successful in stopping the smell of vomit setting off everyone
else in the vehicle. Praise Allah for plastic bags! There are too many plastic
bags in Morocco, and indeed the whole world, but at this moment I was glad of
their existence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, we were underway and making way,
but this luck was soon to run out, as we were discharged at a very small
service town after 45mins of travelling. That van was bound for Talaat n'
Yakoub, which you’ll get to fairly easily if you carry on the paved road. What
I didn’t know was that our destination was way off the beaten track. So we
waited, and we waited, along with a handful of girls and boys who also live in
Iznagen, for a lorry that someone said would come eventually. A lose
arrangement if you ask me, but one has to have faith in these events. At least
it was a beautiful day and the views were gorgeous and I was with lovely people
and there was a small shop to buy snacks. And then we waited some more. And
then we waited a bit longer. As it got cold and dark I was impressed at how the
girls manage to keep their spirits high and how they find enough to talk about
to keep chatting to each other. As the night fell and we began our 5<sup>th</sup>
hour of waiting, Fatima apologised and said that this was an exceptionally long
wait, although obviously it’s not that uncommon. We were all cold and shared
out what ever I’d thrown in to my back pack. The lack of clothing and footwear
worn by the young people in this currently cold environment astounds me. The
temperature is below 5˚c and they’ll still be wearing flip flops by choice. I
used to be like this; insistent on wearing shorts all year round, but that was
because inside our house was very warm. Here inside the houses are colder than
outside. The thick brick insulation keeps the houses a fairly constant
year-round temperature, which is important when temperatures outside are soaring
in to the 40s! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Eventually
around 7pm our long awaited chariot appeared in the form of an open-top
lorry…like one that you’d transport your garden waste in. Of course it was
already full of people, doors and donkey-fodder bought at the souk in Asni, but
everyone knew that this was the only chance to get home tonight, so a place was
found for everyone. Now I’m not a complete pessimist, but I had my doubts about
the competency of this here vehicle before we’d even left the paved road. Nor
am I one to be greatly concerned for my own health and safety, BUT, as I sat up
top in the open air clinging to the wobbly metal frame, I was a little
concerned about how top heavy we were. More so was I concerned for the 4 girls
that were sitting right on the cabin roof…holding on to what I don’t know.
Again, this is standard procedure I presumed, and you have no choice but to
accept the situation. Nags (aka my mum) would not like to see this I thought.
It get’s more hairy though….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After 5 minutes
we forked off the ‘main’ road and on to a bumpy gravel track- I tightened my
grip and loosened my suspension. Looking ahead in to the darkness I could only
see moon light reflecting off water; the track didn’t continue. We were heading
straight for a river, and indeed we proceeded to drive downhill straight in to
the water! Luckily the river wasn’t in spate, but it is common that these
villages get cut off for two weeks or more at a time, like last November.
Instead of just crossing is at a perpendicular angle, we turned and drove up
the middle of the braided channel, in to the flow for 100m or so, before
turning again and meeting the rough track on the other bank. Pheww….we made it
across. I don’t know how the weight of the vehicle didn’t just sink in to the
boulder strewn bed. The lorry was really labouring uphill, and who knows how
long we had still to go uphill in to the High Atlas. I felt sorry for it, like
I do the heavily burdened donkeys being prodded to trot faster. The treatment
of vehicles and mules is roughly the same it seems. Sure enough just two
minutes after the river crossing, with the lorry in first gear and the smell of
the clutch burning, it just packed up. The engine gave up and so did the
driver. Some arguments ensued. Half the crew just took their things, clambered
down and started walking at this point. I was keen to do the same to get moving
and warm up but Fatima insisted that it was better to wait. I was not aware of
the mileage that we still had to cover!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s now very cold, a bit windy and we were
exposed on a mountain. The stars were absolutely phenomenal. I’ve really never
seen such a density, however I was honestly too cold to appreciate them fully.
My admiration for the inadequately dressed girls and boys trying to get home
grew as they continued not to curse or complain. Someone said that another
vehicle was on it’s way…. thank goodness for mobile phones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After an hour this minibus appeared,
battered and bruised but hopefully fit for the job. What a relief it was to sit
inside. My concerns were that this van was now heavily weighed down and facing
a challenging hill start; but oh ye of little faith, we made it and even though
on some slopes we had to get out and push, it got us all the way to Iznagen in
one piece. I had hoped to be able to enjoy the delicious mountain views on
route to Fatima’s village, but I was just pleased that we all arrived safely
after a long day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Retrospectively the breakdown of the lorry
was a blessing in disguise, as I really wouldn’t have liked to find out how it
handled the hair pins and navigated around the rock fall, when it filled the
whole ~3.5m width of the track itself, not with those girls on the roof at
least. Wow, what an adventure, but crumbs, what an extreme commute. I only had a
5 minute walk round the corner to get to my secondary school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I woke up to a
spectacular view on Sunday morning. The almond trees are all in flower at the
moment, and this is the cash crop of the area- the life line that allows people
to live and make money in this rural (understatement!) region. I still couldn’t
help but wonder WHY people settled here initially. Life is hard work! The camaraderie
in the village and the quality of live, the stunning views, the clean water,
the terraced landscape and fertile soil are pretty valid reasons to continue
living there though.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday in
Iznagen mainly consisted of eating bread and drinking tea with various members
of Fatima’s family. Such generosity and hospitality. The tiny 3x5m hamam was
rammed on Sunday afternoon; we went at prime time. I counted 30 people in it at
one point. Babies crying, and women scrubbing so hard you’d think they’d rub
their skin right off. I’ve never felt so squeaky clean after that and my
forehead was genuinely shining. After the hamam I visited the local primary
school with one of the teachers that I met in the hamam. She spoke English
brilliantly, so it was a great chance for me to ask lots of burning questions
about religion, culture and education in Morocco, and be understood. The
primary school has only existed for 20-odd years, and indeed there are many
villages still without a facility for primary education even. As we toured the area
at sunset, the Imam (man with a good voice and sound knowledge of the Koran)
passed by on his way to the Mosque to make the call to prayer, and invited us
in to eat. What a feast that was! Figs and dates and raisins in the tagine. All
prepared by his wife who’d only just given birth to their fourth child 15 days
ago. So many infants in the village were clearly suffering with chest
infections and fevers, but they continued without complaint. In fact, when you
ask a Muslim how they are…..they’ll simply reply ‘alhamdulillah’ which is
roughly translated as ‘praise god’, whether they’re feeling good or rotten,
they just accept the fait they’ve been given. This humble acceptance lends
itself to a peaceful life, and we can all take heed of that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It seemed like
we were only in Iznagen for 5mins before it was time to go to sleep and get up
early on Monday morning to catch a ride back to school. The transports
generally leave at 5am, but as it was cold we left at 7am. I don’t know how
people know when to set there alarms for….it all just seems to be intuitive.
The same bus that rescued us on Saturday night was trundling back up the
mountain track beeping its horn to summon its passengers. It leaves early as it
has lots of stops to make at various villages on route to Asni. Of course it
was full upon leaving Iznagen, and we were only the first village to board. So
forget getting nice views of the mountain scenery on the way down, it was backs
of heads and at times people sitting on your lap. It’s all good fun though;
until the obligatory puking- this time a young girl, so she can definitely be
forgiven. Travel sickness is the worst. Again…no crying or whinging…she just
got on with it…without warning actually.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was all going fairly smoothly as gravity
was relieving the poor engine on the way down. I thought ‘ahh we’ll be back in
Ouirgane with hours to spare before school starts’; but then came the river
crossing fiasco. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead of perhaps shuttling people and
cargo across the river to make the van lighter, we just plunged in and promptly
got stuck in the pebbly bed. After several attempts to get going again,
avoiding having to get out and get feet wet, we were wheel-spinning deeper in
to the loosely deposited load. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Us commuters in the back just sat tight and
once more, made light of the situation, rather than passing blame to the driver
and being disgruntled, which would so often be the case in England (not that I
know of any bus routes that cross rivers of this proportion). I enjoy absorbing
the atmosphere people create in Morocco. Nothing is done in a rush and nothing
is of that great importance. Fortunately the majority of us didn’t have to get
wet but inevitably many did kindly sacrifice their comfort and dryness. The
problem was solved for the mean time, and we were off down-stream within 20
minutes of getting stuck…. now that’s Moroccan efficiency. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were successfully
back on to paved road before long; what a luxury that is. The mountain paths
are incredibly engineered, or not, cutting straight in to sheer cliff face and
hard rock. A colossal amount of effort must have been put in to create these
tracks. Anyway, retracing our steps we stopped back at the little village we
knew oh so well from the long wait on Saturday. Here we unloaded the van and I
thought we were in for the same treat as before, but after just a 10minute
lay-over, we packed up the same van and it took us all the way to Ouirgane!
Door to door in under 3 hours that time. Not bad going.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This has been a long account of a journey
that for me was crazy, but for Fatima was completely normal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fatima was the
first girl from her village to go to secondary school. The school teacher that
I met said she badgered her father for three months to let her go. Fathers are
somewhat reluctant to let their daughters go to college, evidenced by Fatima’s
cousin of the same age. In part this is due to the route being hazardous, and
as I said at the beginning, potentially life threatening- worst case scenario.
It’s also a long journey and costs money. However there is another
socio-economic factor that encourages women to stay at home, settle down early
and breed: education can actually be considered an element of devaluation in
the marriage market, and seen as a disturbance to social cohesion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I now truly understand how difficult it is
to merely live let alone complete your education if you live in rural Morocco.
It is essential that the few boarding houses provided by the government, and non-governmental
organisations like ‘Education For All’ exist. The concept of giving girls a say
in their future is undoubtedly growing; but it’s a shame that their aspirations
are still inhibited by logistics, primarily transport and accommodation. Still,
the future is certainly holds a lot of hope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Lucy Goodman - Volunteer at Dar Ouirgane</i></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-2920544950729602212015-01-20T07:39:00.003+00:002015-01-20T07:39:24.242+00:00This is just the beginning...<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b>Name:</b> Lucy Goodman</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b>Occupation: </b>Go-getter, morale booster,
general facilitator.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b>Location: </b>Dar Ourigane, High Atlas
Morocco, 1hr from Marrakech, 20 minutes from Asni.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b>Languages spoken:</b> Only English, and
some extremely shoddy French…how rubbish is that! These girls speak
Arabic (Darija), Berber (Tashelhit), French and some English!
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b>Why did I decide to come here:</b> The
culture and people are beautiful, I found this out from a previous
trip to Morocco. I find the country has a Star Warsy feel when you
see everyone in djellabas at the souk, and this can only be
interpreted as a good thing. Anyway, I wanted to perceive life from a
woman’s perspective and as a tourist it is pretty impossible to do
this. Mainly though, I wanted show my support for EFA and offer the
girls some international solidarity. If you haven’t got loads of
money you can always give your time and energy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
To be honest when I first arrived in
Ouirgane I felt completely overwhelmed! But I was expecting that. 30
hours without sleep makes life hard in any circumstance. Ahmed, the
driver, had kindly been waiting for me to get through passport
control in Marrakech for over an hour, and I was truly grateful to
have him pick me up. I’ve never had anyone greet me at an airport
holding a sign with my name on it; I felt quite important, and also
terribly inadequate. During the hour’s journey to Asni I requested
an emergency Arabic lesson; Ahmed was keen to exchange in English. We
picked up Latifa (the head housemother) and then carried on to
Ouirgane. Wow, what stunning scenery! Jbel Toubkal and his mates were
are covered with snow, the sky is so blue, and in the foreground the
red, yellow and brown sedimentary terrain provide great contrast.
Evidence of the torrential rain in November was striking. Landslides
lined the road, debris still covered parts of it, and the deep
ditches that catch the rock fall at the sides of the road were full
and overflowing. Big boulders hang precariously in the cliffs above
whilst work was still ongoing to clear the talus and repair the
bends.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.27cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.27cm;">
I didn’t even
know how to pronounce Ouirgane before I got here, nor did I have any
idea how the next few hours, days and months would pan-out. What an
adventure; I just hoped I could be really useful to the girls and to
Badiaa, Mina and Samira who do their upmost to look after them. I
knew that communication would be a problem for us, but trading emails
in broken French before my arrival had made me feel a lot more
comfortable about coming out here. I was assured that we would all
live and work well together because the love and respect between us
was already there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.27cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.27cm;">
It’s now day
three…or four…I’ve forgotten, but that can only be a good sign,
as so much has happened already. I want to thank all the girls here
in Dar Ouirgane, and especially Badiaa the housemother for such a
delicious warm welcome. I’m amazed at how quickly we’ve built a
rapport and I’m thankful for their patience whilst I continually
pronounced their names wrong over and over again. The good news is
that I’ve pretty much got there now, although the sad news is that
today the girls in the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> year of
college have just gone home for their holidays. Last night though, I
was treated to a proper Berber sing-song complete with drum and
tambourine accompaniment. I’ve never been so impressed with how a
group of people can produce such catchy rhythms and intense sound
with their hands and voices. It was a right knees-up.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrm-LjeYeypjhwWnYZCS06JTL6oKVqJZrBKNkxutF6CBjskiT8OShVcKEsAQup8acxEGYhfRkbZ2sxt9_gWMB9nulVnWJTrG70CH5pxAdV0o0yLKVht-WGBYGZf_2lZxLK9gfLRnBc1Gd/s1600/Photo0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrm-LjeYeypjhwWnYZCS06JTL6oKVqJZrBKNkxutF6CBjskiT8OShVcKEsAQup8acxEGYhfRkbZ2sxt9_gWMB9nulVnWJTrG70CH5pxAdV0o0yLKVht-WGBYGZf_2lZxLK9gfLRnBc1Gd/s1600/Photo0845.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I’m here with the 3<sup>rd</sup>
years this week, and can help them prepare for their English exam.
It’s important that they take breaks and relax…and I can
certainly help with that. For instance today and yesterday we played
football, and I think it’s great that Badiaa instigates this; the
girls love it. They’re REALLY good at keepie-uppies and matches get
quite competitive and sacrificial. I have to say the girl’s
commitment to their studies is astonishing. None of them need
encouraging to get books out and crack on with revision or homework.
They all seem appreciative of their chance to learn and they’re
dead keen to do so. It really makes the work of ‘Education For All’
completely worthwhile and I can advocate with confidence that the
money given by past, present and hopefully future donors, couldn’t
be put to better use.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-indent: 1.27cm;">After the 3</span><sup style="text-indent: 1.27cm;">rd</sup><span style="text-indent: 1.27cm;">
years sit their exams, everyone goes back to their various villages.
Badiaa, Mina and </span><span style="text-indent: 1.27cm;">Samira need a well-earned rest too. When we
reconvene, my ‘work’ can start in earnest and we will hatch a
plan as to how I can best support each individual; so I look forward
to that. Even though I have no prior knowledge of teaching English, I
do have a sound knowledge of English, lots of books and buckets of
enthusiasm….and with that I hope to do the girls justice. We’ve
had quite a few informal impromptu lessons already. It’s amazing
the ideas that come to you and the fool you’re prepared to be
infront of keen learners. Spontaneous songs and games come to mind
when you’re in the moment. Everyday I spend lots of time with
Badiaa, as she is super keen to improve her English. It’s really
pronunciation and grammar that I can help most with; and of course
we’ve done the obligatory labelling of all items in the house in
French and English to enhance vocab.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.27cm;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
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I’m grateful for
this opportunity; thanks to everyone involved. I promise to work hard
and will keep you updated as things progress here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-63150333961448722342014-03-19T21:52:00.001+00:002014-03-19T21:54:43.890+00:00Three(ish) months in<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m well and truly feeling at home in Dar Asni 2
now, and have actually decided and been given permission to stay until the end
of the school year in June. I just
couldn’t leave the girls halfway! I’m
also all settled into the routine and more clear on what my role is. The main thing I’ve realised is that with
this older lot of girls it’s a bit different to what I had in my mind the first
few weeks. As in I don’t really teach any ‘classes’ as such, because the girls
are so busy and have to many tests and exams and projects for school. But there are definitely still ‘lessons’. So
what do I mean by that? Answer: It depends a lot on the day and the particular
group of girls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first couple of weeks were more ‘class’-like.
I wanted to just do general getting to know you stuff and see what levels
they’re at and who’s really into their English. My book of New Zealand pictures
came in very handy as a discussion starter – of course they all want to go
there now! It was interesting to see what different girls picked up on and took
away from the discussion. It depended somewhat on their level of English but
also on their personalities. Some thought bungy jumping looked like great fun
while others were horrified at the idea. Some of the older girls made an
analogy between there being about 30 million sheep in New Zealand and about 30
million people in Morocco and thought it was hilarious.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the oldest girls it’s pretty much just
conversation and usually involves going for a long walk or me just grabbing one
of them to tell me about their day. They’re also the ones who ask for help with
their homework in the evenings most often – usually just with all the big words
that get thrown at them! For example they had a unit on ‘women and power’ and
before that it was ‘environment and recycling’. Not easy stuff in your fourth
or fifth language. I keep telling them to talk to me in normal, small words
instead of trying to remember the complicated school words. Once they get the
hang of it the conversation tends to be much easier, but they do have to keep
being reminded to build their confidence up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the rest of the girls it tends to be more
revising and extending what they’ve been doing in class and helping them write
short presentations or skits they get assigned for homework. The middle group
is also learning about society and culture – for example young people and
smoking – and seem to do the most straight grammar. A bit embarassing when they
told me they’re doing present perfect and I’m like “ummm….?”. But we got there
in the end, after they gave me a couple of examples. The youngest lot are
learning food and family and things like any vs some, much vs many. I’m
starting them all early on the ‘use small words you already know’ path as well,
and my darija comes in most handy here since it’s about the same level as their
English. We’re constantly surprising each other. Like one girl who had hardly
talked so far suddenly leapt into action, rattling off a whole cake recipe in a
combination of English and mime when I asked her if she likes to cook. Clearly
yes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m learning too of course. Girls’
personalities, families, lives, what they think of Asni, of Morocco, of the
world. Who’s most likely to pop a balloon loudly on purpose to terrify everyone
and then flee the scene. How the weekly shopping goes at the souk, how much
things cost. More and more Arabic words and a few in Berber. How to make
friendship bracelets, which I then taught the girls. An English school group
had brought over a kit and a bunch of materials so I decided to put it to use.
This was a big hit and also revealed a lot to me about their personalities. Who
wanted to just do it quickly and hang the mistakes. Who would watch and then go
off and do their own perfect versions first time. Who just wanted one made for
them but then when they had a go themselves realised it’s not actually that
easy and got determined to perfect it. Who wouldn’t listen or follow
instructions or demos and then wanted me to fix their colossal tangles. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Another activity we’ve done has been to
translate a popular song from Arabic to English. The song </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKGW9V1WSl8&feature=youtu.be"><span lang="EN-US">'Zina'</span></a><span lang="EN-US"> by Algerian group Babylone can be heard
constantly in Morocco at the moment, and it’s one of the girls’ few favourites
that’s actually in Arabic. The rest being the usual suspects (Justin Bieber,
Katy Perry, Rihanna & co) in English and various similar stuff in French
and Spanish. Plus songs from Bollywood movies of course. So Zina has become a
bit of a constant companion, even more so after I gave in and bought it on
itunes because I was so sick of waiting for it to load on youtube. <span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">I figured if you can’t beat them, join them. So I printed off the
lyrics in Arabic from the internet and enlisted various of the girls at random
times to help me both tansliterate the Arabic (good practice for me) and
translate it into English (good practice for them). It took about two weeks in
the end, with a lot of discussion but I checked it against another version I
found online and I think they did a pretty good job – and had fun doing it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday 8 March was
International Women's Day we were asked to get five of the girls to write
messages in English about the importance of education to them, for the EFA
facebook page. I was lucky enough to be around to help them, because it was
really inspiring both in what they said and in the process we took to get
there. They were all shy at first and
thought it was too hard, but once they got going they couldn't stop the ideas
flowing. I was so proud of them and they were so proud of what they had come up
with. And to see pictures of themselves and their words online of course! Here are some of their messages (excerpts of
the full paragraphs we wrote together), in case anyone hasn’t seen them on
facebook already…</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Tessa Buchanan</i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-6366206010579981302014-01-01T20:35:00.002+00:002014-01-01T20:38:14.223+00:00We walked the walk….<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
walked the walk….<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The French NGO <b>‘Aide et Action’</b> have made a documentary film, ‘Sur le chemin de l’école’,
following four children in four countries as they make their difficult journeys
to school. One of the children is Zahira,
who lives in Tinghrouin, a village in the Imlil valley. Her school is in Asni, and in order to go to
secondary school, she stays in an Aide et Action hostel in Asni during the
week, as do the girls in the four <b>Education
For All</b> houses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I was in Asni, working with the girls
in Dar Asni 1, <b>Aide et Action</b>
organised a women’s walk to Zahira’s village; the plan was to replicate Zahira’s
Monday morning journey from her home to Asni: a journey of 22 kms taking 4
hours. A party of 30 women and girls,
and one man, we left from Asni on Saturday afternoon. Buses took us just beyond Imlil, and from
there we had to walk down the steep mountain side to the village of Tinghrouin,
in the narrow river valley. The path was
not easy, and towards the end of the trek we were making our way along a goat
track in the dark – with some trepidation!
The lights of the village down below seemed a long way off as dusk fell,
but we arrived safely with help from the villagers sent up to guide us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were given a wonderful welcome as we
arrived in the village: mint tea at first, of course, then meat brochettes and
bread, and later in the evening another meal of couscous. We spent the night in the village; we all
found a place to sleep, warm blankets were passed around, and we had a
comfortable night in various rooms, and early in the morning our hosts were up
preparing a wonderful breakfast for us before our long trek back up the
mountainside back to Asni.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But the event was designed to discuss and
to celebrate the courage of the girls who currently make that trek every week,
and after we had eaten and rested that evening there was a moving women’s meeting,
involving teenage girls currently at school, village women who had not had the
chance of education and us, the visitors with a range of different lives and
opportunities. The meeting was very moving, with testimonies from a wide range
of women and girls explaining their hopes and ambitions and describing the
problems they had encountered and were encountering ‘Sur le chemin de l’école’.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an extract from a description I
wrote when I got back the next day:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At
first the girls were in high spirits and started to sing together and the women
passed around very domestic musical instruments – the woman next to me had two
spoons on a tin tray and was very accomplished and another woman had a plastic
bucket – the rhythm section was well practised. The girls sang, ululated,
danced and clearly everyone was high on the event itself.</span></span></i><i><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism8sTGv6FnRHVA5q2P_FihyphenhyphenaQpqoMGDIvL5pBC6bZ49ku3ou-kA8m-W27-evpvUnOQWZSpsY1KQwRLv3NtxPyRg2iJ0ex-Mb8K-flEHK7H0fE0fPNnHpNVcdg6epiZvvThx2BhvbybM7e/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEism8sTGv6FnRHVA5q2P_FihyphenhyphenaQpqoMGDIvL5pBC6bZ49ku3ou-kA8m-W27-evpvUnOQWZSpsY1KQwRLv3NtxPyRg2iJ0ex-Mb8K-flEHK7H0fE0fPNnHpNVcdg6epiZvvThx2BhvbybM7e/s320/photo3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The meeting room</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWIoVBrc0xapa7Z-Jd9trj47Z9b6DfIMitD7AjM8kK0R20EGpCqVvgHvpAJHyy0BxiukibiPfQOc_uiOWSBQ-zM71TcDL1fEQIp4ylTaxRw01ENKhJ5jzp_9KXC5YQjRD2wfiJIuFpePH/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWIoVBrc0xapa7Z-Jd9trj47Z9b6DfIMitD7AjM8kK0R20EGpCqVvgHvpAJHyy0BxiukibiPfQOc_uiOWSBQ-zM71TcDL1fEQIp4ylTaxRw01ENKhJ5jzp_9KXC5YQjRD2wfiJIuFpePH/s320/photo4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The village</span></td></tr>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But after
quite a while, Ghislaine, the leader, took over and the talking began... One of
the girls, Naima, a lead singer encouraged by all, was invited to tell her
story. She is 15 years old and has a
great deal of presence. She is the only
girl from her village to go to secondary school and told her story of how
difficult it had been to persuade her family to let her go. Now she is the only girl of her age in the
village who is not married – and doesn’t want to get married until she has
finished her education. And her ambition
is to be a primary school teacher. As
her story unfolded and the questions came from the outsiders, clearly she
became more and more emotional and eventually tearful as she recounted her
difficulties. She stood amidst the very
supportive girls, tearful but strong, as the questions continued – it was
remarkably moving. And it didn’t end
there. Naima was the first strong girl
to tell her tale. There were many
others, girls who had insisted on continuing their education despite opposition
from parents, brothers, pressure to get married. They stated their ambitions – many wanted to
become teachers to carry on the work, some teachers of Islam, some health
workers and one to be a lawyer. The
issue of marriage was raised and they hesitated, clearly something that was
constantly on their mind, and replied cautiously that they wanted to continue
their education, but it seemed that a lot of social pressure had been applied
already. Other grown women spoke up,
Zahira and her grandmother very movingly – grandmother spoke of her childhood
looking after the cattle and working in the forest, going to mosque illiterate
and without understanding the words spoken, saying how important that her
granddaughter should not go through what she had been through. Many of the women in the room spoke, some of
whom were now employed by Aide et Action in one of their foyers. They spoke of having to complete their
education under conditions of great hardship, having to travel to school and
having to complete education in later life, having to find the money or the
time. One woman whose father had wanted
her to be educated was, at 6 years old, the only girl in the primary
school. The teacher sent her to the back
of the class because she was only a girl, but she remembered turning up the
next day and sitting at the front again.
She was later abused at school by the boys and the teacher, and could
not tell us about it.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Translation
was not easy, emotions were high, the room was very hot, and three languages
were being used: Berber, Arabic and French.
When the French became dominant one of the women from the village got up
to leave but was persuaded to stay as testimonies were drawn in Berber about
local women’s experience. Tears were
shed, applause greeted many many emotional testimonies, there was much evidence
of affection and sympathy – a rolled up tissue sent flying across the room to a
tearful girl, a hug, pats on the shoulder… Difficult to sit through without
empathising with so many of these testimonies given without dramatic or
theatrical rendition, simply an accounting of the facts as experienced,
possibly never before recounted in front of a sympathetic audience, so that
gradually the speaker recalled and realised that the problems had indeed been
great and she had indeed surmounted them and it really hadn’t been easy.</span></span></i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKsRITmYGO-xlxMsv7LFgihdmDCBlNHGw5HeAdqt0HZhE5IyIje1kU3mKTCzJvrzXlaDgl6OBHQTqGZTr-F4ILGmAni9QY5efRGyJFRfk27Uys1CyDX0218nkFAlRVvkaRGa5PfhhRZXQ/s1600/photo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKsRITmYGO-xlxMsv7LFgihdmDCBlNHGw5HeAdqt0HZhE5IyIje1kU3mKTCzJvrzXlaDgl6OBHQTqGZTr-F4ILGmAni9QY5efRGyJFRfk27Uys1CyDX0218nkFAlRVvkaRGa5PfhhRZXQ/s320/photo5.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdo4xdJDI9lxpGyfX22bqJkgk_dBv3IrEyxUPZaw3_cb0dlm0DICForDXZ2MCSjbqF-hMwcbESnpnesoV4e2kVcRYNUfdreDU-y7nW6poWeEW5TL7uLvBrJq2g9WB65sk78M28ZLEQvEI/s1600/photo6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdo4xdJDI9lxpGyfX22bqJkgk_dBv3IrEyxUPZaw3_cb0dlm0DICForDXZ2MCSjbqF-hMwcbESnpnesoV4e2kVcRYNUfdreDU-y7nW6poWeEW5TL7uLvBrJq2g9WB65sk78M28ZLEQvEI/s200/photo6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">These girls are the exception: for most village
girls, education ends with primary school.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">It has been a privilege to be a small brief part of the lives of these
brave strong girls and their mothers.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">So
many aspects of village life will be improved when these girls are educated and
empowered to take a leading role in the development of Morocco.</span></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dar Asni: the pioneers…</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah Campbell, volunteer at Dar Asni 11
November – 15 December 201</span>3</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-15094488559648729352013-12-28T19:17:00.003+00:002013-12-28T19:18:58.445+00:00Tessa volunteer at Dar Asni II<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Morocco's about as far from New Zealand as you can get. But here I am! My name's Tessa Buchanan and I'm the latest volunteer to start with Education For All. I'm the just the second volunteer here at Dar Asni 2. Since I've been here a couple of weeks now I figured it was time to introduce myself and offer some first impressions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm in my mid-30s and was born and raised in New Zealand. I studied economics and sociology for my Bachelors and international development for my Masters. In my 20s I spent six months as an intern in New Delhi, India, almost three years living in Boston, USA and two months in Tokelau in the middle of the Pacific Ocean doing my thesis fieldwork. Otherwise I've been living in New Zealand's capital, Wellington, and working in various roles in the public sector. I came to Morocco in 2012 for a holiday and loved it so much I decided to come back long term. I've been in Morocco for three months now, having spent time in Marrakech on holiday and in Fes studying Moroccan Arabic before coming to Asni. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really glad I did the Arabic course and spent some time getting used to Moroccan life before starting volunteering. I think it's meant I could just settle right in and get straight to work and I'd highly recommend it to any volunteer coming here - even if just for a couple of weeks rather than the two and a half months I did. It's less for Khadija (the house mother) to worry about helping me with and explaining. And the girls all love it when I know the words for things during our classes... and think my accent is hilarious. We've decided this is now a French-free house for daily life - only English, Arabic and Tamazight allowed. We've even labelled everything in the kitchen in English and Arabic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I arrived in Asni the sun was shining so it wasn't too cold and there were beautiful snowy mountain views. Even the locals were commenting on the cold and the thick curtains were just being hung in the house - winter is only just really setting in. The hills are all red rock and there hasn't been much rain for a while so the streets are pretty dusty and red too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seemed at first like the girls are all very outgoing and I had a steady stream of groups coming to sit with me and ask me where I'm from, how old I am etc etc. As the days went by though I realised that there are some who I haven't really met properly yet because they're just too shy to approach me and look terrified if they even see me. I've been spending a lot of time standing in front of the wall with all their pictures and names trying to figure out who's who. I'm sure we'll all get there eventually though!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like any place where forty people live, Dar Asni 2 runs to a very regular schedule. From Tuesday to Saturday the girls have to be up at 7:00am and school starts at 8:00am. If they don't have class first thing they're allowed to sleep in, although then they miss breakfast. Like teenagers everywhere sleep is the priority though of course. On Monday mornings everyone arrives back from their homes in time for school. Then they all come home from school for lunch by 12:30pm then back to school at around 1:30pm. School is over at 5:30pm, dinner is at 6:00pm, supper at 9:30pm, bed at 10:00pm. Shutting up and sleeping time is 11:00pm. Some of the girls have classes on Saturday mornings, but all have left to go to their home villages by around 1:00pm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the girls aren't in class they have to come back to the house so there is always someone around. During those free times they help with the cleaning, run errands for the house mother or the cook, do homework or study for tests, have English classes with me, do research and make presentations on the computers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have Monday and Tuesday mornings free so I try to use them for laundry, lesson planning, writing and Arabic revision. Sometimes Khadija and I will take some of the girls out for a walk to explore Asni as well. The rest of the week I have lessons with groups of the girls morning and afternoon. In the evenings between dinner and supper we're all mostly in the common area and I help Khadija with her English study or any girls who ask with their English homework. Saturday mornings Khadija, Khamisa and I go to the souk to buy all the veges for the week and whatever else is needed. Once the girls have all gone home it's hammam time - a great way to relax at the end of the week - and then mid-afternoon I usually head back into Marrakech until Monday morning. Then it all starts over again... and I love it!</span><br />
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Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-69912821687356308632012-06-12T19:58:00.002+01:002012-06-12T20:04:55.454+01:00Ann Lopata - Dar Asni<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Salaam
future and past volunteers:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now
I guess it is my turn to write this blog.
I think that I should start with an introduction. My name is Ann Lopata and I live in Berkeley
California. I am 63 years old and retired as a university administrator and
counselor. I volunteered at Dar Asni from February 12<sup>th</sup> through May
11<sup>th</sup> at which point I reluctantly left….hoping to return next year. I am a mom and a grandmom (two things that
came in very handy in a house with 36 adolescent girls!) Having been to Morocco last year, I had some
idea of what I would find but I realized quickly that I hadn’t seen the REAL
Morocco. I volunteered in a program teaching English in Rabat for three weeks
before I went to Asni so I began to feel a bit more confident. And while I was still in California I
reviewed my French and tried to remember all the English rules. But once I got to Asni I realized that all
was going to be great. But I was
concerned that perhaps my skills were not up to par or that I would have
difficulty communicating and bonding with the girls. From the first minute that I met them I
realized that my fears were groundless.
What an incredible experience this has been. I feel honored that I have been given an
opportunity to be a small part of these girls life. I have loved being in Asni
with Latifa, the wonderful housemother who has become such a close friend and
Latifa the cook and Mina the housekeeper.
It is great to see how they all work together as a team and it was wonderful
to be able to pitch in and be part of that team. I loved helping Latifa, the housemother with
shopping at the souk or in Marrakesh or visiting her family. I loved helping
Latifa the cook and the girls prepare couscous and tangines and scale fish for
lunches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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is a synopsis of my wonderful adventures as they progressed with Latifa and the
wonderful girls of Dar Asni.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">February
2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
arrived in my little room on the roof of the house in Asni on February 12, 2012,
having arrived to freezing cold weather. The view from outside the room on the
first morning was amazing. At night, I am snuggled in my bed with all my
wonderful Moroccan blankets and am very toasty...and the water in my bathroom
is hot, so who could want anything more?
The girls here are wonderful and enthusiastic and love to babble in
whatever language (usually Tashelhit or sometimes French) and they are just
like teenage girls everywhere....they sit in corners and giggle with each other
and they love Facebook and music (although mostly Berber music). Many of them dress very modern without their
hajabs but when they go home they always wear them. The girls take out their rugs and pray
wherever they can find a spot….sometimes it is difficult to not step on them. They work very hard on their studies and go
to school from 8 am until 6 at night with breaks in between for lunch and some
other activities. I have sessions
scheduled with different groups throughout the day and while we are just at the
introductions stage, I can see that it is going to be very challenging to
adjust to the different groups. Some of
the girls who are 12 and 13 are just beginning English and the older ones who
are 16 and 17 have studied it for a while. I can tell this is going to be a
wonderful challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
brought material for friendship bracelets which are a big hit as are the French
and English versions of Bananagrams that
I brought. While they all want to learn English, French is definitely what they
need so I have scheduled more French classes with the younger girls and more
English with the older ones. They work so hard in school. I hope that we can
just have fun with some of the language classes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
got to experience rural life in Morocco.
We lost both electricity a few times (hence heat and lights and most
importantly, internet) and water. I was
concerned the first time but when I went downstairs in the morning all was calm
and it always came back on. This is
where Inshallah (in the name of Allah) comes in handy. One never knows what the
future holds but it all works out in the end. We just waited out the day in our
gloves and coats and of course, it came back on about 4 PM. But it will
probably go out again tomorrow.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My
days are wonderful with the girls. They
are so enthusiastic, particularly about English that they wanted extra time
scheduled. Being here is already so much
more than I imagined. The girls are like
sponges and each one is sweeter than the next.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve
already decided to extend my stay here and am asking for permission to stay
through the beginning of May. That will
allow me to be here through Open Day and help the girls prepare for their end
of the year exams. And I already don’t
want to leave them.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
work hard during the day and play in the early evening between school and
dinner. I have taught them the song “We
are the World” and everyone has taken to it enthusiastically, even the little
ones who don’t know any English. Latifa
had some of the older girls translate the words into Arabic so that the girls
could understand what they were singing.
And I talked to them about the purpose of the song to help starvation in
sub-Saharan Africa. We hope to perform
the song at the Open Day event in April but if that isn’t possible, at least we
have fun performing it for each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
girls love any kind of music or singing or dancing. I taught them the Macarena (see the picture
below) and it has become a staple of our life here. And we even have taught it to some of the
school groups that have come to visit!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">They go home every weekend after
school on Saturday. After working so
hard during the week, they go home and work all weekend cleaning the house,
helping with the cooking etc. Their
parents pick them up when they come into town for the weekly souk (huge market)
in town. As they all left the house
there were lots of kisses...left cheek/right cheek and then a little
giggle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">One weekend Latifa, Gretchen and I went into Marrakesh to do errands. There isn't much that you can buy in downtown
Asni where there is now a bank (opened two days ago), a cafe, two little
groceries, and mobile phone store, a butcher and not much else. We even now have sidewalks which have been
installed the last week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I realize that I have to keep
modifying my schedule with the girls to accommodate their schedules and
different needs. . My day begins at
about 9 and I now see girls throughout the day.
In addition, in the evening from 8-10 I stay around and help the girls
with homework. They all gather in the
salon around 4 tables and do their homework. Or they come into the computer
room and meet with me. It gets very loud
and animated as you would imagine. There
is a lot of variation in the preparation level even within the same grade. Then I crash in my bed at night!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We have so many school visits at Dar
Asni and I do most of the tours for the English speaking groups which is fun.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">March 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I have been both a host and a visitor
this month. I had to entertain some
nurses from England who were doing some immunizations in the town of Imlil and
then in the afternoon, after deciding to
accompany some of the older girls to the lycee for a special English class that
they were having, I was invited into the school and into the classroom. The English teacher is Moroccan but studied
for a year in the US. He asked me to
speak to the class and I think that the girls were really pleased that the
students seemed to be very interested in what I had to say...they told everyone
about it when we came back to the house.
The students in the class asked great questions: one asked if I was
Muslim because I was wearing a headscarf which I had just had one of the girls
put on me that morning...I forgot I had it on; one asked me about US views of
Muslims and another asked me if, since I had been to Morocco twice, I was going
to move here permanently. And they wanted to know a lot about California...oh
and they wanted to know my age. It was a
wonderful hour and I hope that I am invited back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The hour before dinner has now become
singing time. They are so enthusiastic
that they practice it over and over again and during the day I will go up on
the roof (the hangout) and hear groups of girls practicing without music. I
even walked into town with some of the older girls and they spontaneously broke into song. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The girls love anything Indian and we
listen to Indian music and they watch Indian movies. Not going to do Bollywood dancing though….I
am too old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 164.4pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I take lots of walks with the girls
each day. One weekend we walked up into
the hills to visit one of the girls relatives and spent several hours just
going from house to house visiting relatives. It felt like each girl had a
family member in this little town.
Anyway, they love to walk and it is always another opportunity for
pictures which they also love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">On March 8</span><sup style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> we had a big
event in Dar Asni for International Women’s Day. The girls made posters. I talked to them in English and French class
about the meaning of the day in the US and the rest of the world. And in the evening Latifa talked to all the girls about the Mudawwana,
the 2004 law which gave women additional
rights and protections. She talked to
the girls about the importance of having pride and respect for themselves. She talked about the opportunity that they
have being in this house and working so hard to try to be an example for
themselves and their families and communities.
She talked about the need for women to be able to support themselves. I
was told all of this through one of the girls since she did it totally in
Tashelhit. All of the girls participated
in the discussion and it was wonderful to see.
But it wasn't all serious. One of
the older girls organized the younger ones to put on skits. Anyway, it was fun to watch the girls in a
different way...just acting like silly teenagers. The older girls then gave out
awards to the girls for things like best marks in the house etc. During the day we all prepared macaroni and
cheese because I wanted to have them experience a typical American meal. It turned out surprisingly well. While it certainly wasn't all American Mac and
Cheese (with powdered milk, farina, no Parmesan Cheese) the girls thought it
was great. Then we all played music
danced for hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We
also had a visit from a school in London (we get visits at least once a
week).</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">There were 5 girls, five of whom
were Muslim...two from Libya, 1 from Pakistan and one from Somalia. The fifth
girl was half Ukranian and half Nigerian.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">They played music with the girls and games and we all danced the
Macarena and sang We are the World.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It
was a great afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">There
is now another volunteer in the house.
She is a retired French teacher from Belgium and will be working with
the girls on their French which will give me a break for a little while and I
can concentrate on the English and helping Latifa. She's
only going to be here for three weeks until the girls go on vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I
spent the three days at another house in Ouirgane which is about 15 km from
Asni. Gretchen and I had the opportunity
to compare teaching styles and help each other with ideas for working with the
girls in both houses. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">April
2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
girls’ holiday is starting soon and we are all concentrating on preparing for
exams. I am going back to the US during the two week break . We all got caught up in the need to return to
a sparkling clean house when we get back and everything was scrubbed down by
all of us. I figured since I didn't have
to clean my house.....why not do it here....and it felt good pitching in and
doing stuff with the girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">April
29<sup>th</sup> was the big Open Day event.
The house was scrubbed….and Latifa and the girls made lots and lots of
food. We had an open house at Dar Asni
first and then went to the Kasbah du Toubkal with the younger girls to continue
the event. It was so great to see the
girls so excited about the day wonderful that they got the opportunity to
interact with the girls from the other houses.
And lots of volunteers from past years came to the event which was
wonderful for the girls to reconnect with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">May
2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Unfortunately
I’m nearing the end of my stay here. I
have been spending a great deal of time organizing things in the volunteer
area. I made inventory of all volunteer
supplies which will hopefully be helpful to future volunteers. And we are all looking for ways to relieve
the stress that the girls are under.
That means lots of walks and laughs and football games in the back of
the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Latifa
and the girls planned a big party for the night before I left. And we danced and danced again…how wonderful
it is to see the girls so relaxed and having so much fun. This is the image that I will take with
me…their lovely smiling faces.</span></div>
<br />Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-26656709053578401752012-05-30T21:02:00.001+01:002012-05-30T21:31:23.396+01:00Gretchen - Dar Ouirgane<div style="text-align: left;">
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
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<h2>
<span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Hello,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">bonjour</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">, and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">salaamualaikum</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">,
everyone! I’m Gretchen and I’ve been volunteering with Education For All
in their third house, Dar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Ouirgane</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">, since
the middle of February. After graduating university last May, I was
looking to go abroad for a longer</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddensuggestion"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">period
of time</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">to use skills I had gained in school (particularly with
languages) to volunteer with education. Remembering</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">EFA</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">from a
research project I’d done a few years back, I thought it sounded like a perfect
fit—a wonderful way to serve while also living in and learning about a culture
that had fascinated me for</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddensuggestion"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">quite</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">a while.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Well then, after a long
flight from the United States and a week getting myself oriented in Dar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Asni</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">, I finally made it to Dar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Ouirgane</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">! In these first couple of weeks, I was so struck by the
landscape (breathtaking), the weather (so much sun, but still so cold!), and,
of course, the twenty-three girls I would spend the next four months
with. They, along with Mina, the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">house-mother,
and Samira, the cook, were all so welcoming and outgoing, and the girls are
most of the time quite enthusiastic to work on their French. While it was
certainly a challenge initially to work with so many schedules and to work
around the near-constant changes in those schedules, I finally devised a plan
for working with the girls in groups and sometimes individually. We work
primarily on French and sometimes math if an exam is coming up but, if we can,
we also try to make time for English and computer lessons. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Of course, any house would be a little dull if it were all work
and no play and we certainly make sure to schedule a little time in for
fun! Whether it’s going for walks to the nearby reservoir, practicing the
cha-cha and waltz in dance lessons, or attempting to try sushi with chopsticks,
we try to mix it up with different activities to ease the pressure of classes,
especially if they become stressful.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">We’ve also been fortunate
enough to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">take part</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">in a few events with other</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">EFA</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">houses.
In early April, a few of our girls as well as a few girls from Dar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Tinmel</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">and Dar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Asni</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">met up
in Marrakech along with members of the committee to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddensuggestion"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">participate</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">in a
bike event in Marrakech. Several streets</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddengrammarerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">were
blocked</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">off for a 10 km course allowing us to cycle around the
city. While there were a few unsteady moments for everyone on their
bikes, it was such a treat to see Marrakech in this unique way with the
girls.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">At the end of the month,
then, we all got together and celebrated the annual Open Day. This began,
of course, with visits and a generous spread of snacks at Dar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Asni</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">, which then lead to a delicious lunch together at the Kasbah du</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Toubkal</span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">. It was really wonderful to spend the day like this with
some of our girls and to meet some of EFA’s supporters, including a few former
volunteers. On top of that, we were lucky, too, to have a day of really
beautiful weather!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Though I’ve only been
here a few months, I’ve been so impressed by the hard work the girls are
putting into their studies. Even in just this short time, too, I feel
like I’ve seen their confidence with French really grow, especially speaking
it. There are still, of course, occasional nouns or adjectives that don’t
agree or a misused verb here or there, but they’re working hard and I believe
that will come in time. When I think about how they are just in</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="hiddenspellerror"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">collège</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><span class="mceitemhidden"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">and
already working on their third language and even enthusiastic to learn English,
which will be their fourth language, it really amazes me (especially when I
consider that they’ll be learning their fourth language at the same time I
began studying only my second!).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Well, as they say, time flies when you’re having fun and
sometimes I can’t believe we’re already in the middle of May, nearing the end
of the school year! Everything is full-steam ahead and we’re all
certainly very busy as the girls get ready to take their final exams.
This has put a bit of a halt in some of my own lessons with the girls as we
focus on material specifically for the exams, but here in the house we’re
working hard to help the girls end the year on a successful note! Until
then, I guess it’s back to work for me—thanks for stopping by and checking out
EFA’s volunteers’ blog!<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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</div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-23695078489454589022011-11-29T21:04:00.003+00:002011-11-29T21:11:21.043+00:00Doro - Dar Ouirgane<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit1UyG0JfOno5ZNSPM-2POX_275nIBKstAhpu2UzhZgXsYMDDXUI8Yeu6i7-zd1PbP39tciSJ6HaQ2MtA9paf0SgjVmqqhPLlfvCn6jMTRRrUpg9UQk4AB0SjmIjsxVDgQAhMLj1PDqHE/s1600/CIMG1261.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiit1UyG0JfOno5ZNSPM-2POX_275nIBKstAhpu2UzhZgXsYMDDXUI8Yeu6i7-zd1PbP39tciSJ6HaQ2MtA9paf0SgjVmqqhPLlfvCn6jMTRRrUpg9UQk4AB0SjmIjsxVDgQAhMLj1PDqHE/s400/CIMG1261.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680527547183572002" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">My name is Doro, I´m 19 years old and I´m from Germany. After finished school I was for a social year at a school which teaches after the main principles of Maria Montessori and then for 2 months at the German-Jordanian University in Amman, Jordan. Voluntarily I gave extra lessons for children with migration background in topics like German, math, history and biology and was part of a group which cares about the rights of refugees in Leipzig and Saxonia.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">During this time I´ve recognized that education is one of the most important values to save the future of a child. I decided to participate in “Education for all” because education is necessary for children and I´m very lucky to be here.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US">Dar Ouirgane is a lovely place and a very well organized house. The girls, the housemother and the cook are very friendly and open-minded. Together we teach the girls in French and English in very different ways. Also we play football, go for walks and have during the day a lot of fun. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span">I feel that I´m welcomed here and this is a wonderful feeling.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-42343182825147381512011-11-29T20:31:00.011+00:002011-11-29T21:11:01.257+00:00Luise - Dar Tinmel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJIzjmwsruk4SeFF1r-1SyHXButsGh0F-upMQ929v4-Bbw6P7Tmx0BTJAmGvbao8tnee54TQhkX_XRKHpBQCIU069nvpHrSk7EM_aIru_Q-k8z5MFw5Egx02ogBb5HycrvGaTkvbpfuBj/s1600/DSC03087.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJIzjmwsruk4SeFF1r-1SyHXButsGh0F-upMQ929v4-Bbw6P7Tmx0BTJAmGvbao8tnee54TQhkX_XRKHpBQCIU069nvpHrSk7EM_aIru_Q-k8z5MFw5Egx02ogBb5HycrvGaTkvbpfuBj/s200/DSC03087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680525687894723250" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">A salam alaikum to everybody out there! A new school year has begun, more girls have moved into the houses and there are so many things happening...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">Let me start with introducing myself a little bit. I'm Luise from Germany, 20 years old and proud of being one of the current volunteers for EFA! After having spent time in the U.S. and France in order to improve my foreign languages, it was important to me to finally do something contributive, to meet people with a different background and to get new impressions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">During my first week in Morocco I got to spend time with Latifa and the girls at Dar Asni. I was impressed by the daily schedule, their pensum of homework, and at the same time a bit overwhelmed by my task, which was simply to“assist the girls in whatever way and help with the chores“. Luckily, there was Dorothy, an experienced teacher and short term volunteer! Together we discussed how to create working groups, how to encourage the girls that are really struggeling with their French and how to support the ones that are already enjoying it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">Whenever there was some spare time, they took me for lang walks around Asni and to the souk, which was like a big bowl of potpourri<b> –</b> so many people, perfumes and colours! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">Eventually though, it was time for me to take the grand taxi to Talat N'Yakoub! Getting futher into the Altas mountains and to the place I was supposed to stay for several months, I fully realized that I was truly in Morocco! It was so exciting!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Dar Tinmel girls were a bit shy at first.. Naturally, it took some days for us to really connect. But playing “uno“ on the terrace, going for walks to the river and washing the daily pile of dishes together, helped bringing us closer. First there was a lot of smiling, followed by a lot of talking and joking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">In the middle of October we were happy to welcome Latifa, Dorothy and Dorothee (Dar Ouirgane) who came to visit Dar Tinmel. And only one day later, Maryk brought friends of hers from the Netherlands to see the house and to share the Friday's couscous. It was a real pleasure having them! Because the house is so far away from Marrakesh, visits are rare, unfortunately..<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">During my first weeks, Khadija and I managed to combine the seven different schedules and to establish little groups for me to work with. And after I had memorized all the names and gotten an impression of each girl's character and needs, things started to go pretty well. We re-did the girls' profiles, painted the tables and organized a birthday party for everyone! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">By now I feel like I've settled in. I love how everybody is so friendly and eager to try new things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">They're a group of bright young women, serious and driven in their studies but playful in their free time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE"><span class="Apple-style-span">I'll let you hear more about the</span>m as my time here continues! <o:p></o:p></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL5jjB1ryDW7xtilG5cBKg6-wfUC7dKFKRy3_sLW_VEIhuNI96dPecxTlqbsHWH8MDfU8B8lCSeP9r2yYSdLX2VKhZf3EuLu8COEVVlBT9FQV9MWd4snome0FDrINS5U272usW7mWtHq8/s1600/DSC03123.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL5jjB1ryDW7xtilG5cBKg6-wfUC7dKFKRy3_sLW_VEIhuNI96dPecxTlqbsHWH8MDfU8B8lCSeP9r2yYSdLX2VKhZf3EuLu8COEVVlBT9FQV9MWd4snome0FDrINS5U272usW7mWtHq8/s200/DSC03123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680523106119793618" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgmnQ0-uYpu-AiTaOJKs5CDHo5s76V340BSnZDnNfRbFMqDhLUzbEu9U5p2wa7U50ua_TEcfqH3v8O7atiySXahjOOEf6zRgfhsUUEAyY6rjuqCsouiBxUsPhRjUFsHUeMgPLS2_h3rPNW/s200/DSC03197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680522238543061970" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></div></div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-7976864411793723912011-05-29T16:56:00.012+01:002011-05-29T17:20:53.250+01:00Visit of the Kasbah Tamadot & school party<p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">It seems like it is just one party after another here at Dar Asni. First there was the open day, then the party for Mouna’s and Cook Latifa’s return and Jenny going and now we have mint tea at Tamadot.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">Jenny has the idea that it would be a lovely treat if she and I took the girls to Tamadot for tea. They live so close but have never been in. So we emailed then and asked if this would be possible and how much it would be. They got back to us saying tit would be their pleasure and the tea would be free. So after much towing and throwing trying to find a date it was decided we would go on Tuesday 17<sup>th</sup> and Wednesday 18<sup>th</sup> of May. When Tuesday came the girls where so excited and kept asking me “Tamadot today?” “You go Tamadot?” “I go Tamadot?” When I said yes to these they would then hug and kiss me, say happy there are and thank me. </span></span></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span>It was rain</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">ing when the time came to leave, both</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "> on Tuesday and Wednesday. This did not dampen the girls sprits though and th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">ey where singing away in the transport that Tamadot has sent for us. As soon as the girls got through the gate they were silent. I had to encourage them all up to the front door with them clinging on to each other and me. They were so overwhelmed by its beauty. Senna, 1<sup>st</sup> lesse, said “It’s so beautiful!” In an awe struck voice and the other girls agreed. Then we were ushered through the door by the lovely Ariane<b>, </b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><strong><span lang="EN-US" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); font-weight: normal; ">Deputy General Manager</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">,</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "> and up the stairs to where we would have tea. It was a lovely court yard with swimming pool in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); ">the middle, which had rose petals floating on the surface.</span></span></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1SbsasFCcSYopF4WgxnFqia18kZp8832All56id2RKiwljyJi_9T94UMUy6ki2cU2fyS132KrHgDFMKdwVRTusjRDklw88wxzHFCqVPxxEnDLeARPDBZgifCTSczIxokjJ1mdM3aFI0t/s200/1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612170119971929586" /> </span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2LPTJLhmG5dLtNpH4wrE5ihyFPZcFGENe5lu3uIGwR_pMD9gk0bjJvEUzGnGikSB99Nx7eEJdaBDBihGrg2RFOibGhqrKAbR6An26uDsRopnMST54GzAa_kZHcLXf6eFG2Yn63cAQjim/s200/2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612170395633965570" /></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span">The Tea was brilliant; we had traditional Moroccan mint tea with little pastries and cakes. The girls where very shy at first but with help from Idris, who works at Tamadot as well as doing our gym club, we managed to get them to relax a little. After tea a very proud Idris took us on a tour of the grounds. It was breath taking. The girls where so amazed by all the different plants, swimming pools, works of arts and most of all the amazing gym. Idris was like a proud father as he showed us around and took hundreds of photos for the girls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span">Then it was time to leave as we all had to back in time for gym. After it being hard to get them through the front door it was now hard to get out of the door due to the amount of photos being taken but eventually we made it. All that was talked about for the next few days was Tamadot and how wonderful it is.</span></span></p><p class="ecxmsonormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuo3pxDiDFawB9u449SPNIH6IZ92bYrIP9OfsfOQWI5p4r5wVH8UapzyV7YFVV8wONuP_fU89e_lQISi_P3U61OwP7syNXWtbOMPOnICws99z89HsQ413jwNvtl2jLkS-uNEpd-R-3YpYy/s200/1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612170969454342402" /> </span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSxfD39nwmUtxgKRbyZnSDXLwZgCA-qfM3ORVCJmiRGxZ093S1DTgfSZ4N8qZ7Bj-wghGT_Jqc8xLcdKrII4BmmYW4C1SVykirn2j-WRCWU21Omr2L6lKg1sudr-1KCILj9wD0Z5N69-p/s200/2.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612171209854311842" /> </p><p class="ecxmsonormal"></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span">The week of Tamadot had come in the middle of exams for most of the girls, so it was a welcome break. By the Friday a lot of the Lesse exams where over and some of the girls were having parties with their classes. Khadija Ait Hmed and Samira, both 1<sup>st</sup> lesse, invited me to go to one of these parties. I had to be ready to leave at 8am as the party was to be held in a couple of lesions which had finished but they still had lessons the rest of the day. So off I went carrying a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "> huge tea pot full of mint tea. When we got to school it turned out the girls had not ask the director if I could be there. So we stood in his office whilst he asked about me and told the girls off. I felt just like a naughty school girl again, stood up straight with my hands behind my back and eyes down looking ashamed. Eventually he said that I was able to stay and so off we went with many thank yous. When we arrived at the class room all the tables had been pushed to the edges or to the middle to make one large table. On this table sat 3 yummy cakes, plates and glasses. It had been decorated with rose petals and looked very lovely.</span></span></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsxGsczABfyf8ZibU-ZuTwzbbMzrH_Cs8eYoX1HTQHq-tPF66y623wCn1NtOsIE2EQjimIPCHjPlKzOF8Kp4plVUVLnnKffBiXMocMS4mojiE9-iq7OvUhVVktMxH_elcV11AZ4ENWYfN/s200/1.jpg" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612171930439338098" /></span></span></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></p><p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#2A2A2A;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">The room was full of boys and a few girls all dressed nicely and which the laid table it looked like it was going to be a good party. The only thing which spoilt it in my opinion was the fact the floor was so filthy, it was covered in mud, rubbish and cigarette ends, which I found out later they were the teachers from when he smokes during lessons. The music got going the boys had brought a sound system, a drum and a Moroccan guitar. It took a while for everyone to get up and dance, the girls where shy and very outnumbered due to the fact that there are many more boys at the school and in every class. But in the end the whole room was filled with people dancing. I danced with Samira and her friend, trying to copy them with limited success. Everyone was laughing and joking and having a good time, it was great.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: rgb(42, 42, 42); "><span class="Apple-style-span"> <p class="ecxmsonormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:#2A2A2A;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB">Just when I was wondering when we where going to eat the cakes the director came in. He was not happy! It turns out that they had not asked permission to have a party. There seemed to be a theme developing, everyone seems to do just as they like. The director told us all off teachers included and said to turn the music off. As soon as he was out of the door the maths teacher got up and turned the music back on. We did however quieten down a little and it was time for cake, which was very yummy. After cake it was time for hundreds of photos. Another thing I have noticed about Moroccans, they like to take a lot of photos. After the photos, which took a long time, it was time for lesions and for me to go. The party was really good and the girls who had not finished their exams yet were jealous but they will get their party soon. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#2A2A2A;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p></span></span><p></p><p></p><p></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-6850696130800854642011-05-17T12:36:00.009+01:002011-05-17T13:15:29.297+01:00Marathon in Asni & walk to Oukaimden<div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:arial;">On Sunday 8th May 15 of the girls from Dar Asni took part in a <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place st="on">Marathon</st1:place>, organised by the Kasbah Tamadot and Kasbah Du Toubkal. The girls ran/ walked 8Km and men ran 19Km. It was said to be a great event and created lots of excitement throughout the whole valley. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >The fastest girl at Dar Asni was Zahra Amizl, 1<sup>st</sup> Lesse, and she came 5<sup>th</sup> out of all the girls. The girls where all very stiff the next day, the girls who did not race found it very amusing to watch them all hobbling around. However the pain was worth it as the three fastest girls, Zahra, Sanna Ait Omar and Fatiha Id Ali, will be getting a trip to Marrakech thanks to of Mother Latifa. This is to encourage all the girls to take part next year. A big well done too all the girls who took part.</span></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ChUBRhFawLhu8DFzlvygiZoABkV9NVbDGJ4ONTtlSqIhti461ruKEBw_AIWcOuoxyvjmtwHtX56pAhVgczq0M9OyBR_J1LqwnCCUYLlRiBX3nlApi7yg9CmPZ-ZZj0xlZ2o_QV8huCHi/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 134px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607648231519593090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ChUBRhFawLhu8DFzlvygiZoABkV9NVbDGJ4ONTtlSqIhti461ruKEBw_AIWcOuoxyvjmtwHtX56pAhVgczq0M9OyBR_J1LqwnCCUYLlRiBX3nlApi7yg9CmPZ-ZZj0xlZ2o_QV8huCHi/s200/1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK6ana1GWmtMtigAW4FJfVOjhsnNRtaqpeoqzoBvTlfe9r-UIcsYbj9P5m6L_noDh9yfw3xOeUQRWBdAKtZ4f8DJt3ZHratsCNH5u8AEwLZ3BW3M4wEk3r-EsHQk41MCjTN_JXThfuuQ6/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607648434519797490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKK6ana1GWmtMtigAW4FJfVOjhsnNRtaqpeoqzoBvTlfe9r-UIcsYbj9P5m6L_noDh9yfw3xOeUQRWBdAKtZ4f8DJt3ZHratsCNH5u8AEwLZ3BW3M4wEk3r-EsHQk41MCjTN_JXThfuuQ6/s200/2.jpg" /></a></span></span></p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="X-NONE" >I unfortunately did not get to see the marathon as I was at one of the girls house, <span class="squiggly">Fatiha</span> <span class="squiggly">Bouchaka</span>, who is in first collage and has very little english. This was a good chance for me to practice my new <span class="squiggly">tashlahid</span> skills. This was not the first time I had been to a girls house and so I thought I knew what to expect. However after 3 hours in the back of a crowed van I knew I was going to be higher and further away from <span class="squiggly">Asni</span> then before. Then we carried on climbing up a rocky path. Finally we turned a corner and I got my first sight of her village, <span class="squiggly">Tachdirt</span>. It was spectacular! As i got closer I could see that there where several <span class="squiggly">gites</span> in the village. I asked <span class="squiggly">Fatiha</span> about this and she explained through many <span class="squiggly">hand </span></span><span class="squiggly"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >movements</span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="X-NONE" > and 4 different languages that <span class="squiggly">Tachdirt</span> is on the popular trekking rout from <span class="squiggly">Imlil</span> to <span class="squiggly">Oukaimden</span>. She also explained that “tomorrow we will be walking to <span class="squiggly">Oukaimden</span>”. I was wondering how i was going to cope wearing only small impractical shoes, when I decided that I must have not understood her properly. I soon forgot about this though when I reached the house and was introduced to her mother and father. We had the traditional mint tea followed by a <span class="squiggly">tajeen</span>. We pasted Saturday afternoon by lazing around watching TV and taking a stroll around the village. Then to bed early after another lovely <span class="squiggly">tajeen</span>. This is the sort of weekend I was expecting and wanted after a hard weeks gardening but it wasn’t to last.</span></p><br /><div><span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="X-NONE" ><o:p></div></o:p></span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >Just as the sun was peaking out from behind the mountains and the birds where starting to sing, it was time to get up. This was very early for a Sunday, all the other times the girls have had a nice lie in. It soon came apparent to me why we where up so early, we were walking to <span style="color:black;">Oukaïmeden</span>. So after a hearty breakfast Fatiha, Rokaya and I where on our way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >Just a little further up the path we saw tourists and the girls decided it would be good fun to catch them up. So off we went running up the mountain side. When we caught them up they were shocked to see us, all rapped up warm in little shoes no bag and only a small amount of water. This is understandable as they, looking most other people who trek in the mountains, had shorts and T-shirts on, walking boot and a big bag full of water, food and other emergency equipment. They where even more shocked when I told them we would be going to <span style="color:black;">Oukaïmeden and back in a day. It is about 17km to Oukaïmeden up and over a pass and then back down the other side to get the bottom of the barrage at the bottom of the valley.</span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';color:black;" lang="EN-GB" >We said good bye to the tourists who were having a sit and carried on walking up in sun surrounded by beautiful snow capped mountains. After several hours of walking we all of a sudden reached the pass over and there in front of us was the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placetype st="on">valley</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename st="on">Oukaïmeden</st1:placename></st1:place>. It was stunning completely different from Jenny’s snowy pictures of the day trip. The valley was green with new growth and there where wild flowers everywhere. As we walked down surrounded by vibrant greens, yellows, pinks and blues, I watched the butterflies flapping around and felt at peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJduWYB06zxNuwh-2hAvjevnbrrXARtJz9gQa2A5aNQ4q7kZiyzHqGNfjCWYktsKM8I-l2CF6Lj4oG-hABOuypQ1w0YZshZ7Kt2SOG35Qr7Ts9ClFn8hIklJkBF2XfdknJ0xIEQMaEGs0X/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607651429795719394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJduWYB06zxNuwh-2hAvjevnbrrXARtJz9gQa2A5aNQ4q7kZiyzHqGNfjCWYktsKM8I-l2CF6Lj4oG-hABOuypQ1w0YZshZ7Kt2SOG35Qr7Ts9ClFn8hIklJkBF2XfdknJ0xIEQMaEGs0X/s200/1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq94FI2TxonF7tGVNT_eLq29b44hUXxKfXSc4HlzJ7orwIWJKjVgXYenLxRBqRY_0bePopao8ZW9WUXks3OUkkI6hgXAekUG0Y9a9e1nYQUWKPcAjs7JyiGWijZpH00l5iHlb-PB3E8Sw/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607652057069185330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq94FI2TxonF7tGVNT_eLq29b44hUXxKfXSc4HlzJ7orwIWJKjVgXYenLxRBqRY_0bePopao8ZW9WUXks3OUkkI6hgXAekUG0Y9a9e1nYQUWKPcAjs7JyiGWijZpH00l5iHlb-PB3E8Sw/s200/2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div align="justify"><br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';color:black;" lang="EN-GB" >In the basin of the valley was the lake and barrage. It looked like a painting with the clear blue water, green mountain sides </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >and bright yellow daffodils. The closer we got the more wonderful it became. A strange noise was coming from the lake; we were all wonder what it was, as we drew closer to the edge the ground leaped up. There were hundreds of bright green frogs sunbathing in the grass desperate to escape our approach by jumping into the water. That is when I realised what all the noise was, hidden by the flowers around the edge of the water was thousands of frogs all singing their mating call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a stroll around the lake and many pictures at the barrage we went to Rokaya’s brother’s house for lunch. And then we started the long walk back up the mountain and down the other side. We where all so tired when we got back that we went straight to sleep. It was such a wonderful day and I was so glad that I had done it even if I was tired and stiff the next morning. </span></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ></span></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbDi3SNK_h26z8kb51uvcVV3OrbWYwIa825lYDu-FC7yeHEjadEDOdf5aLKF69o2DXob62D3ApCaEw-fwATV2h5oQKQbSoCRsxnqMZPsb5tZ0nDsa2u9f_iUpnI4pgvHeFZOY2PGZhgz3/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607653075693586690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbDi3SNK_h26z8kb51uvcVV3OrbWYwIa825lYDu-FC7yeHEjadEDOdf5aLKF69o2DXob62D3ApCaEw-fwATV2h5oQKQbSoCRsxnqMZPsb5tZ0nDsa2u9f_iUpnI4pgvHeFZOY2PGZhgz3/s200/1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyBW0o-m5WIBU_na8cGxj-dFTGtx6P3yJshVM2PKoG2g15adt-e36J42BoSgOaTQsPJDMRO5ANJBCNNfKwTe0qX-6VhC_AoaxR9_pbZVMC3sxQv83jUQ1fka4gt4R4O_ICTkplAyC79EJ/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607653306858301330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyBW0o-m5WIBU_na8cGxj-dFTGtx6P3yJshVM2PKoG2g15adt-e36J42BoSgOaTQsPJDMRO5ANJBCNNfKwTe0qX-6VhC_AoaxR9_pbZVMC3sxQv83jUQ1fka4gt4R4O_ICTkplAyC79EJ/s200/2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: X-NONE;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="X-NONE" ><o:p><br /><div align="right"><em>Emma Clayton</em></o:p></span></div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-51215266943262044192011-05-09T11:24:00.000+01:002011-05-17T12:03:14.898+01:00How time flies!<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >I cannot believe that my 10 weeks at Dar Asni are nearly over, just 1 week left.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >The weather improved eventually and the house was so much warmer and then it changed! It became quite chilly and wet, winter woollies again!! Today it has changed for the better-blue skies and sunshine. I hope that my last week here will be a warm one, both inside and out!</span></span></span></p></div>
<br /></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:arial;">A lot has happened since I wrote before. A big event was the EFA Open Day and the opening of the new house at Ouirgane on Sunday 1st May. This was a lovely day. The girls from Dar Tinmel stayed at Dar Ouirgane on Saturday night and helped with last minute cleaning and tidying on the Sunday morning. Samira, the cook at Dar Ouirgane had made heaps of biscuits and msimen, tea, coffee and fresh orange juice for a delicious mid-morning feast. Mike and some of the girls gave speeches and then the house was officially opened by Nigel and Angela Parker. At lunch time everyone headed for The Kasbah Du Toubkal to meet the Asni girls and for another feast-salad, tajine, couscous and fruit. After lunch the girls entertained us all with singing and dancing. An amazing day of food and fun! It was so lovely to see all the girls enjoying such a special occasion.</span></span>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:arial;">In March the girls from Asni were joined by the girls from Dar Ouirgane for a day trip to Oukaimeden. This is <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Morocco</st1:place></st1:country-region>'s largest ski resort. We all had fun playing in the snow and some of us ventured to the top of the mountain on the ski lift- I was encouraged to go by some of the girls but was terrified, I'm not good with heights!! We had a yummy picnic and ended the day with mint tea at a cafe. </span></span></p>
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<br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >I spent a weekend at Dar Tinmel with the other volunteers. We went on a trip to Tizi'n test, a beautiful region in the mountains. The drive there was a little hair-raising though-really narrow winding road with steep drops!! Just before returning to the house we visited Tinmel mosque, such a beautiful place but unfortunately it was late so a little too dark to fully appreciate its magnificence. This weekend I am going to a girls house, she lives at Talet N'Yacoub so I am hoping for a daylight visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >It's exam time at the moment, many of the girls are spending a lot of time revising so have less time for activities. Emma and I have started to spend time in the garden doing some weeding- we hope to get all the invasive weeds out so that it is easier to maintain. Future volunteers this would be a great job for you to continue!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >The girls here are so lovely. It has been great fun getting to know them and doing activities with them. I can see that their English language skills are developing, sadly my Arabic is not doing as well! I have loved being in Asni. I think the locals are getting used to us visiting the post office, wandering in the crowded souks on Saturday and buying goodies-chocolate, biscuits and yogurt- in the shops. I will so miss these experiences; the local people are so friendly and welcoming. Taxi rides are another thing I will miss, 6 people squashed in a car driving at high speed on mountain roads! Emma, Angela and I caused a stir when we caught a taxi to meet Kitty in Ouirgane, it was raining, we had lots of bags and were carrying pick-axes and rakes, the workers at the garage watched and laughed, I wonder if we made their day!</span></div>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFG80cN4R2c9WUIIwANYygezc3Pbvh8eNYpDb79Fvd14utswban6qTyBxZxHIfbdFA7wWCoWu2xd15_Sj9cfamAK69zdy8JH6KsdYMoCYN-58VAB70QXMuZ1MBXfIHnnx5bOWjJJzw5nc/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607635652305232050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFG80cN4R2c9WUIIwANYygezc3Pbvh8eNYpDb79Fvd14utswban6qTyBxZxHIfbdFA7wWCoWu2xd15_Sj9cfamAK69zdy8JH6KsdYMoCYN-58VAB70QXMuZ1MBXfIHnnx5bOWjJJzw5nc/s200/1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZXUN12GEnKpySqhDdnTWkx5LL8U59Ea6fA-vlZjm7VcSigO9EOoShTk6c-wp60AKwb01YfWSTyM-rbpCrrmrKM1WAwQYIgrNA0auMRCfacaygoJYaGFPgsMhbDqWlaseUfIy2W7wu-dC/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607635918217617682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZXUN12GEnKpySqhDdnTWkx5LL8U59Ea6fA-vlZjm7VcSigO9EOoShTk6c-wp60AKwb01YfWSTyM-rbpCrrmrKM1WAwQYIgrNA0auMRCfacaygoJYaGFPgsMhbDqWlaseUfIy2W7wu-dC/s200/2.jpg" /></a></span></p>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><o:p><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">My friends and family have been very kind and sent craft kits and games. I think the girls were as excited as I was when the parcels arrived and enjoyed helping me open them. My nephew and one of my nieces and her class at school have written letters to the girls with pictures of their school. I hope to get all the girls to write a short letter back. My niece and her classmates cannot wait for me to deliver the letters and to show them pictures of the girls and of Morocco.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Emma and I have arranged for the girls at Dar Asni to have tea at Kasbah Tamadot (Richard Branson's Moroccan Retreat), sadly I will not be here when they go on 17th and 18th May but Emma will take pictures for me. We were invited to tea and for a tour which was lovely and it enabled me to see the place. It is beautiful but very expensive. We hope the Kasbah will maintain links with the charity via their website and guests who wish to donate to local people. Emma will tell you more once the girls have visited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >I think I had better stop my rambling now. I hope this will inspire you to visit Morocco, volunteer for EFA or to donate to such a worthwhile charity.</span></div>
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<br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="right"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>Jenny Hitchcock</em></span></span></o:p></span></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-49960217948787929472011-05-04T15:30:00.010+01:002011-05-04T16:05:08.410+01:00Dar Asni volunteer II<p align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >Hi my name is Emma and I arrived at the same time as Jenny so I thought she could do the first blog as we are both at Dar <span class="squiggly">Asni</span> together. I am also from England but I did not know jenny before we arrived. As I have been here for two months now I have got used to lots of the differences and I find it easy to with my hands apart from cous cous which still goes everywhere.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >The thing I still find most difficult is gym. The girls at Dar <span class="squiggly">Asni</span> along with House mother <span class="squiggly">Latifa</span>, Jenny and I go to the gym twice a week. the gym club is run by a kind Moroccan man called <span class="squiggly">Idris</span>, who works at Tamadot, Richard Branson's place. As well as doing so very vigorous aerobics we also learn self defence moves. These can some times be very tricky and it causes many giggles when I get in a muddle with them and fall flat on my face. </span><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >Last week my mother came for a visit. She stayed with me here in Dar <span class="squiggly">Asni</span> for a few days. She helped me teach some of the older girls how to give someone directions in English and played lots of games of pairs, which is the game of the moment, with the younger ones. Also during the week I went with my mum up to Dar <span class="squiggly">Tinmel</span> to visit the girls and Angela up there. Whist we where there we taught the girls to make friendship bracelets with some wool my mum had brought with her. The girls really enjoyed this and made some lovely <span class="squiggly">brightly</span> coloured creations. </span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><o:p><br /></p></o:p></span><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Icr_AU2GXllh3-oF3PKRHvzu0u65w8BCKNgKNzPkAy1SBOsk9wUquzrUiaXNySnpMaNdmkBMkABVSvhXNeEuikGk_eRML4XXwXbOcDA0VmxfAiSADB0J2rqM4FeGUYsRSCJrK9k9RSx/s1600/1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 184px; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602871065630326738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4Icr_AU2GXllh3-oF3PKRHvzu0u65w8BCKNgKNzPkAy1SBOsk9wUquzrUiaXNySnpMaNdmkBMkABVSvhXNeEuikGk_eRML4XXwXbOcDA0VmxfAiSADB0J2rqM4FeGUYsRSCJrK9k9RSx/s200/1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhdY9Ys0n2mf51OFBxtN0owmqFEltdRUv7qMtPENkOgbcJ0H-3AtrZ-QIenfkrOsSwIFH7roUMcNFzXtmwvm0cYRy9WvjWuhM1bASU9BrS1G557FFPMFbNuCa1NrI13v-80eZ60BBflc_/s1600/2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 269px; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602871599312002610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhdY9Ys0n2mf51OFBxtN0owmqFEltdRUv7qMtPENkOgbcJ0H-3AtrZ-QIenfkrOsSwIFH7roUMcNFzXtmwvm0cYRy9WvjWuhM1bASU9BrS1G557FFPMFbNuCa1NrI13v-80eZ60BBflc_/s200/2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >Later on some of the girls really wanted to show us the <span class="squiggly">Tinmal</span> Mosque but it was too hot to walk there so we all pilled in to the back of a van full of moroccan men on their way home after a day souk. My mum was shocked at how many people we managed to fit in, a mere 28. When we <span class="squiggly">arrived</span> at the turning to <span class="squiggly">Tinmal</span> we all hoped out and started the steep wending walk up to the top of the hill. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, there was a light breeze and the air was full of the sounds and senses of spring. Then as we turned the last corner the mosque came in to full view. It was stunning, the sun on the walls and the snow capped mountain in the back ground. The girls proudly showed us around spectacular monument and then all of a sudden it was time to go as it was getting dark. We then spent a wonderful night playing games on the roof terrace with the girls until it got so dark we could no longer see. In morning it was time for my mum and I to head back to Dar <span class="squiggly">Asni</span> but we had had a great time with the girls at <span class="squiggly">Tinmal</span> who are so lively and happy. The girls can always be found on the roof terrace playing a complex game of stones, which I have yet to master.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >In what seemed like no time at all it was time for my mum to leave. But as we said good bye to one visitor we said hello to another, <span class="squiggly">Binkou</span> the tortoise. He was given to the girls by the boys at the government boarding house, who found him outside. Mother <span class="squiggly">Latifa</span> decided to paint him bright colours so that he would be easier to find. All the girls have been really excited about having a pet especially one so good at hind and seek. </span></p><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8hCeJDUHygpqVE8pTlQBbrf-65XdZjSUEWKTN260gl2U0oBkQd0MD-LieIeIl8d37MOxZcenxnWTY9bVK0ecbwh97NBfBVA1V9D06StgbDf08njLxYvwelBX2jFCrWcwPBzqI2aib6fn/s1600/3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 221px; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602872679980862434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8hCeJDUHygpqVE8pTlQBbrf-65XdZjSUEWKTN260gl2U0oBkQd0MD-LieIeIl8d37MOxZcenxnWTY9bVK0ecbwh97NBfBVA1V9D06StgbDf08njLxYvwelBX2jFCrWcwPBzqI2aib6fn/s200/3.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4AoWoZughSp3j6y7wB6ligVUnb5srlt8fXWWSNNq1erW79L6rYm6Msq9WoTHTa-pQlFm-aQV8WnXGbwSG6btkHKYDwMgjIb17bOmXmMEVBV5h2Dt-a8fzeftoXxEauEqDi67mhf9aTOn/s1600/4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 223px; HEIGHT: 171px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602873068272917666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4AoWoZughSp3j6y7wB6ligVUnb5srlt8fXWWSNNq1erW79L6rYm6Msq9WoTHTa-pQlFm-aQV8WnXGbwSG6btkHKYDwMgjIb17bOmXmMEVBV5h2Dt-a8fzeftoXxEauEqDi67mhf9aTOn/s200/4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >The girls are very busy at the moment with exams and spend much of their time revising. This has given Jenny and I the chance to get outside and do some gardening. Not only have we been doing our own garden but we also went up to Dar <span class="squiggly">Ouirgane</span>. They had had lots of plants donated on the open day by Andy which needed planting. So with the help of Kitty, Angela, Mina and some of the girls there we made the garden look beautiful. Mina is now very proud of her garden and I hope Andy will be happy with what we have done when he next visits. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';" lang="EN-GB" >I am really enjoying my time here and I can't wait for next few weeks, we have some exciting things planed but I will tell you all about then later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:'Arial', 'sans-serif';">Emma Clayton</span></o:p></span></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-84031069701892875862011-04-18T19:40:00.001+01:002011-05-17T12:09:04.046+01:00Week end in Dar Tinmel with the volunteers<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">This week end in Talat n Yacoub we enjoyed the company of our 3 other EFA volunteers, Kitty, Jenny and Emma! On Saturday the girls enjoyed computer lessons, crafts, and games; then on Sunday we took the girls out. While originally our plan was to visit the Tinmel Mosque, Khadija had the idea of making a big outing to the nearby mountain, Tizi n Test, a popular tourist destination in the Atlas mountains known for its stunning scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We headed out at 11am in the yellow Transport Scholaire minibus with picnic gear in tow. It is a long, twisty road to the top, and we had quite a few carsick girls (including me!), so we made lots of stops for fresh air and to enjoy the view. </span></div><br /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEJaSIeoFfmo7CrN26kBZPZ-1Lzi-2Wd9ZpAi9lsPF881AEMAVeT_pAD_JPsx-i8jaUAgwsirxpAb94vFTNmnVzS0cSZhdhHDCxigrcoIjhRydH1ckgxs4MpOswEQudsQO7vhs2DBmNo-/s1600/TIZI+NTAST.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606644215008294370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEJaSIeoFfmo7CrN26kBZPZ-1Lzi-2Wd9ZpAi9lsPF881AEMAVeT_pAD_JPsx-i8jaUAgwsirxpAb94vFTNmnVzS0cSZhdhHDCxigrcoIjhRydH1ckgxs4MpOswEQudsQO7vhs2DBmNo-/s200/TIZI+NTAST.jpg" /></a></span></p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br /><div align="justify"></div></span><br /><p></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The singing was quieter on the extra twisty parts, but we had Berber songs the whole way through, courtesy of the girls. Finally we arrived to our picnic site, which was a beautiful clearing beside a waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We all enjoyed our Moroccan sandwiches , oranges, and sweets (with Jenny on garbage patrol), and then exploring the beautiful mountainside or lounging in the sun playing games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After a couple of hours here, we continued upwards to the forest, where the girls had a long walk and enjoyed seeing some animals- we stopped along the way to try to spot a gazelle, but unfortunately no luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They were very tired when we arrived back at the bus- but not too tired to sing again the whole way back!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Before returning home, we stopped at the historic Tinmel </span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mosque- while we were too late for regular visiting hours, we were lucky to find the man who keeps the key! He let us in for a look, and it was amazing to watch the stars come out and feel the peace inside this beautiful monument.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt1UhyhonzNEW_s0c17hxha9mrF8-AfVyWJdURTXdMkcz7uSJXOs-AkvQ7Fh9VMf3CNBGmppgiMQQ50VQIzOguIQi1xLD1TIeB0SVkvF15JDpsKdkuYirlIVSQO_xbohC0DYqfREcqGdU/s1600/SORTIE+TALAT+.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606643982934561410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqt1UhyhonzNEW_s0c17hxha9mrF8-AfVyWJdURTXdMkcz7uSJXOs-AkvQ7Fh9VMf3CNBGmppgiMQQ50VQIzOguIQi1xLD1TIeB0SVkvF15JDpsKdkuYirlIVSQO_xbohC0DYqfREcqGdU/s200/SORTIE+TALAT+.jpg" /></a></span><br /></p><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">It is really nice for the girls to have an outing like this, as they would not often have such a chance with their families or be able to afford it (EFA covered cost of transportation to make it possible).</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBWygKFTrCcXeqx7H5OObJEv7uqrmERGZ82lVtl3OsyRm3gwe04KOggg_lYKjN7dnmmEeVSMyW3XDRFJKTtOOlIOqrxtI4lOtRPYO6-oYfGdxml6zPvU-tiSljtIzRgOtqvVvbpqiJs7a/s1600/tizintast+2011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606644449665344210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBWygKFTrCcXeqx7H5OObJEv7uqrmERGZ82lVtl3OsyRm3gwe04KOggg_lYKjN7dnmmEeVSMyW3XDRFJKTtOOlIOqrxtI4lOtRPYO6-oYfGdxml6zPvU-tiSljtIzRgOtqvVvbpqiJs7a/s200/tizintast+2011.jpg" /></a></p><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><p></p></span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">For me, it was so nice to explore the area with the girls and also to see some of their villages as we passed them on the drive. We were all reminded of just how important the house is especially for our Talat girls; we were really taken by the remoteness of their family homes.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /><div align="justify"></div></span><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The girls were grateful for such a fun weekend and are really looking forward to the weekend after next where they will see their friends from Ouirgane and Asni for Open Day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></div><br /><br /><div align="right"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><em>Angela Cooper</em></span></div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-41378392928235214352011-04-18T17:05:00.001+01:002011-04-18T17:07:34.265+01:00Dar Tinmel volunteer<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">On my way to Dar Tinmel, I stopped at Asni with Karima where I met the girls, Latifa, Mike, and a couple groups from England; all of whom were discussing their continuing travel plans. Some will go on to Imlil, maybe Tahanout, Ouarzazate, the house in Ouirgane- but Talat n Yacoub? No, too far, but they wished me luck. An hour of twisty road later, I arrived at Dar Tinmel.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The house is beautiful and comfortable, and the girls are lovely. Days are busy here- the girls wake up at 7am, have breakfast and do the washing up, and then have classes or activities until 5:30pm, eat, wash up, and then work again until about 10:30pm. They are always doing something, and put a lot of effort into their school work- which is particularly necessary in Talat, where the education system is at a lower standard than other less remote places. The girls speak Tachlehit, do their school work in Arabic, and are learning French; although the girls here are too young to have started learning English at school, they are eagerly retaining the new vocabulary I teach to them, and mastered ‘Simon Says’ in less than hour.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">There is certainly a lot to adjust to; in the short time I’ve been here I have already experienced the power and water outages, roads turned into mud, and very cold weather (I was very grateful to find the sweaters Karima left behind!). So far I have enjoyed going for walks with the girls to the beautiful river near the house, games on the terrace, colouring and English & French lessons. They love to play and to help me pronounce words in Berber and Arabic, which I do not do very well!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The girls really appreciate the opportunity they have here, and they make the most of it. I am really grateful for the time I have here to spend with the girls, and I look forward to the following months, which I hope will be full of learning for all of us.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"></span></span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; mso-fareast-language: FR; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Angela Cooper<br style="mso-special-character: line-break"></div></span></span></span>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-62253276768803854492011-04-14T12:14:00.001+01:002011-04-14T12:18:37.024+01:00Dar Asni volunteer<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I arrived at Dar Asni on a cold Sunday afternoon, the 6th March. My first impressions were that it was a lovely big house but so freezing cold. How was I going to keep warm as I hadn't bought many warm clothes!! </span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Luckily Karima had left jumpers and leggings, very welcome extra layers. I have never worn so many clothes at once inside! Bed time was challanging, changing quickly into pyjamas and then diving under loads of blankets before getting too cold!! Thankfully the weather has now warmed up and the house is much warmer inside, I am now hot in bed and only wearing a T shirt indoors.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">On Monday morning the atmophere in the house changed completely as the girls started arriving for the week. It was so nice to see the house full of happy, friendly girls who have such enthusiasm for learning and working hard to acheive. The girls have busy school timetables and lots of homework but are keen to take part in activities with the volunteers. Many are really interested in developing their English and love help and encouragement to develop this skill. It has been great fun making games and activities to help with this. They are like sponges and quickly absorb and learn new information, I wish I was able to learn and remember like they do!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Pick up sticks has been a huge success, we have played this for hours! Playing Happy Families has been fun. The girls can be very competitive and sometimes get over excited, it is so nice seeing them having such fun. Making friendship bracelets has also been good. It was quite chaotic having about 8 girls round a table all making bracelets and needing some help. They grasped techniques quickly and completed beautiful pieces. The only problem was the bundle of threads at the end, it took several girls quite sometime to sort it all out ready for another session!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The food at the house is delicious. I have really enjoyed eating the Moroccan way from one big dish, this is something I will try with friends once home, it is much more sociable and saves on the washing up!! I hope to learn how to cook some of the dishes, particularly cous cous and besara.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to stay at one of the girls houses for a weekend. This was such a good experience. The family were so welcoming and so pleased that I was visiting them. Food is their way of expressing their thanks that you are there, volunteers need to be prepared to eat alot of food and not to worry about their waistlines!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">We have just had a school holiday (3rd to 13th April). It has been nice to travel with the other volunteers. We spent time in Marrakech and Essaouira enjoying the sunshine, walking on the beach, shopping in the souks and soaking up the atmosphere. It is now back to reality, the girls return to the house on Wednesday. I have lots of ideas and activities prepared to support the development of their English and French, I just hope they enjoy them.<br />Thats it from me for now. I will write again before I finish my time here at Dar Asni.</span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Jenny Hitchcock.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-14365814420549904432011-04-14T12:05:00.005+01:002011-04-18T11:22:34.888+01:00Dar Ouirgane volunteer<div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;">When i rang on the door bell of dar ouirgane i was greeted by a rush of girls, kisses on each cheek and a tumult of ca va? It was raining heavily and they hurried me inside. </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Such a loving, eager and enthusiastic welcome and really that is my overiding impression of Dar Ouirgane. </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The girls desire to learn has overcome any language difficulties we have had in trying new games and activities. </span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ABKAViifj_GH4ieBAPzadlMhuzrLU5sdtlmUt6t9V0r8qfmBEo9-DMal0Men4jY7CesaptLmkdM8LUshtgtMT7B1BiI9h2JBpFToO_yJb4vREtFIymJImm13ShB6Qv82gF7dutR43xKq/s1600/P3150036.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596866315096632706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ABKAViifj_GH4ieBAPzadlMhuzrLU5sdtlmUt6t9V0r8qfmBEo9-DMal0Men4jY7CesaptLmkdM8LUshtgtMT7B1BiI9h2JBpFToO_yJb4vREtFIymJImm13ShB6Qv82gF7dutR43xKq/s200/P3150036.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;">During our walks into the beautiful surrounding moutains i have been able to teach them some traditional children english songs as we march along. We have had yoga and kick boxing sessions on the roof, football in the garden, lessons in french and english on school subjects, baking, painting and a weekly quiz testing their language and mathematic skills. </span></span><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;">On the 27th of march we had a mini adventure to okcamedom with the girls from Dar Asni, everybody absolutely loved it. </span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><p align="center"><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxBE0OraL0fce8vL5fE4LRL_RDYovBYKB-Xg35Y0YM0Wcxslm-l68cfLDWNpWlD3umrFMRopLtGrOiba3mN43EjWl9yRjgcIU0_YQ9d7jvseMi89uUwN8JofeCe-lpoqWj4UAAWF1OZ9C/s1600/P3270178.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596866173306238418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxBE0OraL0fce8vL5fE4LRL_RDYovBYKB-Xg35Y0YM0Wcxslm-l68cfLDWNpWlD3umrFMRopLtGrOiba3mN43EjWl9yRjgcIU0_YQ9d7jvseMi89uUwN8JofeCe-lpoqWj4UAAWF1OZ9C/s200/P3270178.JPG" /></a></span></span></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:verdana;">After the holidays i hope to arrange a play in french based on a traditional fairytale, maybe snow white! I love it here. </span></span></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievFahC19dpOxq70zUtwClTPKm3KbMT0Foi2B80SkERb6dMLVePQi4twM7vS9S6xpbFGeRqLbZgn0oB6yBRvbu95QFf28tONxnXg7s2JC2YN46lkc1pt8uTUAwA50kwllw-ujdvynpJZ3x/s1600/DSCN6397.JPG"></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumetDnIZI4XtPrRLpJ_V_Sqh7RoEw-IWLVtQdj1RnPl6XEIieZzia-LGvTtdfH1YFtONMJo_u7gU1PZEKJlsBtQCKVWYgYP5jLYUhzVc0nVWkCgb2zGBQMs3t82C2c9MXWeOqhyAHdkOX/s1600/DSCN6397.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596866802696842258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumetDnIZI4XtPrRLpJ_V_Sqh7RoEw-IWLVtQdj1RnPl6XEIieZzia-LGvTtdfH1YFtONMJo_u7gU1PZEKJlsBtQCKVWYgYP5jLYUhzVc0nVWkCgb2zGBQMs3t82C2c9MXWeOqhyAHdkOX/s200/DSCN6397.JPG" /></a></p><br /><div align="justify"><span style="mso-fareast-language: FR"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Kitty Hardman.</span></span></div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-86146347348417342742011-04-14T11:03:00.004+01:002011-04-14T12:19:43.575+01:00New volunteers<div align="justify"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Things are mooving fast in the houses!!<br /><br />I said goodbye to the houses in March to go back to France...it was soooo hard!!<br />But i decided to stay involved with EFA so i'll leave some messages on this blog to let you know what's happening.<br />And you'll have a lot more messages from the new volunteers:<br />Dar Asni welcomed Jenny Hitchcock and Emma Clayton ;<br />Dar Tinmel welcomed Angela Cooper ;<br />Dar Ouirgane (the new house) welcomed Kitty Hardman ;<br /><br />They will introduce themselves and will keep in touch with us to follow their adventures.<br /><br />Karima</span></div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-80419667421347765802011-03-22T11:58:00.003+00:002011-03-22T12:18:46.314+00:00Volunteering with Education For AllI began volunteering with EFA on November 2009. (It seems like it was yesterday!)<br /><br />When I arrived in Dar Asni I was surprised, the house is so pretty and the organisation directed by Latifa is really good. The girls and both Latifa were so nice. One week after it was so hard to leave them and go to Talat N’Yacoub.<br /><br />The first days were really hard. I was in the middle of nowhere, the girls didn’t know yet each other, EFA wasn’t well-known by the locals so they were suspicious, the house wasn’t started...I really felt like I couldn’t do it. But I began to build relationship with the girls and I realized how much they needed somebody to help them...that motivates me to succeed.<br /><br />Then Khadija the gorgeous house-mother arrived and I felt immediately comfortable with her. Together we made a huge work; first with the girls who feel now like sisters and have changed (in many ways), secondly in the house which became really nice and warm, and finally with the community around Talat N’Yacoub who knows us, respects us, encourages us and helps us with our project. And all this with the help of the committee of course, who is always present and helpful despite the distance. And I thank them for this and for the trust they gave me.<br /><br />I’m really proud to be a part of this project when I see how the girls have evolved. They didn’t only improve their marks at school, they became more open-minded, independent and have a better understanding of life. They are conscious that education is the key to their individual and collective future. They are becoming real women, the women who will change Morocco.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Karima Targaoui</span>Dar Asni Adminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14071208570299595997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-14363235796221607432010-12-29T14:21:00.012+00:002010-12-29T16:16:04.232+00:00A weekend at Khadija's<div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">After several invitations from Khadija Id Ahmed Ouali (a girl studying at Dar Asni) to spend the weekend in Imsker, I have finally accepted.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">First of all, we went to Imsker the Saturday morning after school by what they called “the transport”… The transport is in fact a truck and we were Khadija, Fatima Zahra and me, behind, mixed to the other persons and their races. Imsker is at about <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:metricconverter productid="13 km" st="on">13 km</st1:metricconverter> from Asni but the road is really narrow and sinuous: I had the impression that I made rodeo during the road, it was really funny!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6J958z0Vo0fybWgHreeoUJMwUrgFVZ6xGDoshirQFJHi2TuQXQjYEVLZy8suvxKIEaPgXDnniREanv3_Dc4X1wYMxagx55UGxnvdX3rqPthTJfRXUuh3aVgOxVISF95gDLX7_2ktMBtP/s1600/IMG00399-20101219-1125.jpg"></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Upon our arrival we had a rest and I got acquainted of all the Id Ahmed Ouali family and also the animals… Yes! They have got two cows, three goats and a lot of chickens. Khadija’s mother also learnt me to milk the cow…well, she tried…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwS9PhgGTDhsZu4PUkfFxM2e6mvKBjSFAECcfz6FZF6lQRvOv-KPS8gIxglBVd5eFdnj1EG7gA8m8TCpl3A0bD08JVFbtzhLv_O-vBb4r0Gw6Aam8IkckGuHQMSySYxhnSxoT8l1l-ne2/s1600/IMG00385-20101219-1101.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556118348263173922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwS9PhgGTDhsZu4PUkfFxM2e6mvKBjSFAECcfz6FZF6lQRvOv-KPS8gIxglBVd5eFdnj1EG7gA8m8TCpl3A0bD08JVFbtzhLv_O-vBb4r0Gw6Aam8IkckGuHQMSySYxhnSxoT8l1l-ne2/s320/IMG00385-20101219-1101.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNESAy1WLkHE_CPlnSPMOPOzxPdXZ15yZj8NAjNLXmUgtwcBSdyeT_kUKbEFYc2e2tflf_5w6ZIGmLlZPc8Jm29hS1oZl20WxgZ5okdkzNAmxDApeqB0JOg2Jtz6TO9s4X6kV2fxLeIg8O/s1600/IMG00399-20101219-1125.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556135855395775602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNESAy1WLkHE_CPlnSPMOPOzxPdXZ15yZj8NAjNLXmUgtwcBSdyeT_kUKbEFYc2e2tflf_5w6ZIGmLlZPc8Jm29hS1oZl20WxgZ5okdkzNAmxDApeqB0JOg2Jtz6TO9s4X6kV2fxLeIg8O/s320/IMG00399-20101219-1125.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I was also amazed to see that they were cooking in a wood stove fed by branches collected at the top of the mountain (and transported on the back!). I spoke a long time with Khadija’s mother who explained to me how life was before, without water and electricity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Even if life in the mountains is rather difficult, people show solidarity and are very smiling. I was disconnected from everything!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">On Sunday, Khadija and I visited her family where we danced a little on Berber songs. Finally, we went to the river where the women of the villag e wash their linen. We were far from the modern washing machine with its economic program at <st1:metricconverter productid="30ᄚC" st="on">30°C</st1:metricconverter>!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We have taken advantage of this day to make family photos near the river; the air was fresh and pure. At night, Khadija made some bread filled with peppers, onions, liver and fat of sheep: it was delicious! We looked at photos in the family album and discussed for a long time with Khadija’s mother. This weekend was really enriching for me and I thank Khadija and her family for having welcomed me so well.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEyFJlZGB-6rezMn8NtYM903kzYAcYE2I0vAfQxJbWLPahT3ne0ZiKghS0oBrwywGrpY6GoJqi17v_f7u7h5M28nOS5A8VVN695waOLCmCrJjmu8m8z1-V10bt6k8W-27ObcDQ6qzaDlo/s1600/IMG00419-20101219-1341.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556123500050836578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEyFJlZGB-6rezMn8NtYM903kzYAcYE2I0vAfQxJbWLPahT3ne0ZiKghS0oBrwywGrpY6GoJqi17v_f7u7h5M28nOS5A8VVN695waOLCmCrJjmu8m8z1-V10bt6k8W-27ObcDQ6qzaDlo/s320/IMG00419-20101219-1341.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv5IX7hb9YRJQace3-iUTWBDXtrJ87ZiX6TbYvZc9_BJaqqvmANtH0QGPPOS2UiRp0-4iu4KYvX7AFdp59pQoT0_o5x2DUZ3c5gg-bSX4tceqwqZCWv6Uo9I6pY-RnnscL65kGXhkSe51/s1600/IMG00410-20101219-1229.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556136191096434850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCv5IX7hb9YRJQace3-iUTWBDXtrJ87ZiX6TbYvZc9_BJaqqvmANtH0QGPPOS2UiRp0-4iu4KYvX7AFdp59pQoT0_o5x2DUZ3c5gg-bSX4tceqwqZCWv6Uo9I6pY-RnnscL65kGXhkSe51/s320/IMG00410-20101219-1229.jpg" /></a></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="right"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>Fairouze</em></span></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-89468249568943703032010-12-15T20:26:00.006+00:002010-12-16T10:11:36.982+00:00Quiet please, action!<div align="justify"> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Yesterday, a group from Germany came to Dar Tinmel to shoot a documentary about the house and the girls.</span></span><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">MishMashMe, the project’s name (</span><cite><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:Arial;color:#767676;" lang="EN-GB" ><a href="http://www.mishmashme.de/"><span style="color:#000000;">www.mishmashme.de</span></a>)</span></cite><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB">, wants to show how people are connected all over the world and what is the role of computers/internet in this connection.</span></span></div><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">They came because they were interested to know how is the education in the rural areas and how people who live in these villages far away from the cities are connected to the rest of the world.</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">They brought their equipment and the girls were impressed by the camera and the sound boom.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p align="left"></p><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ9W3H6IVaFXfOWCiZrUklna7xdSJ667W_G5jbjphPbX8ruQorfPruab6-Eg8CDrDmFcrTr4S92qrR1Hru-66_pcnjncBXk5xj-6TzcTWqp9CHZccZ9Kn8tfPuhouVIhADYl39H_lnBrf/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551210474013603170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJ9W3H6IVaFXfOWCiZrUklna7xdSJ667W_G5jbjphPbX8ruQorfPruab6-Eg8CDrDmFcrTr4S92qrR1Hru-66_pcnjncBXk5xj-6TzcTWqp9CHZccZ9Kn8tfPuhouVIhADYl39H_lnBrf/s320/DSC_0162.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREByDNG7Zc-rUEggBkIUf2cTDJov1PsWDk6jcAb7vJngBV54VJJf-GdOj30_O6RISM8rxQdAdh1yGUTvCKEfPO2dv_0VzgrtZnTRWXAimhaRZYLtO4Tdbf-lKpacGxhH3rhRQgogj1v57/s1600/DSC_0154.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551211440911886226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREByDNG7Zc-rUEggBkIUf2cTDJov1PsWDk6jcAb7vJngBV54VJJf-GdOj30_O6RISM8rxQdAdh1yGUTvCKEfPO2dv_0VzgrtZnTRWXAimhaRZYLtO4Tdbf-lKpacGxhH3rhRQgogj1v57/s320/DSC_0154.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">After an introduction of the team and some shoots in the terrace and outside, they gave out chocolate to the girls (the girls said it was yuuummy!). We had lunch and the girls had been shot during the meal. They were soooooo calm in front of the camera,it was unusual to have such a silent lunch!!</span></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Then the computer lesson has been shot too with 6 of the girls and to finish, the MishMashMe team interviewed 4 of the girls to know more about them, how do they live and do they see the rest of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJnPWtAvKRTKbOQQxFa6KnuepQhZxI_DtxItlpu0HBcuYz8uDcPHRYo9kpuo949EOPoIPVJ3a_5sgbH7Donm5ZO6EjD4fzTrbmqSvN5XQHRg3bHpYPwY6NJ8TMPd15EIKQLRndWsMAsvn/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551218151899550418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJnPWtAvKRTKbOQQxFa6KnuepQhZxI_DtxItlpu0HBcuYz8uDcPHRYo9kpuo949EOPoIPVJ3a_5sgbH7Donm5ZO6EjD4fzTrbmqSvN5XQHRg3bHpYPwY6NJ8TMPd15EIKQLRndWsMAsvn/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwszABWoCM2YnDyBebRWAVWg6qiz6WzvKI1hBqOT1_GPwnpb8NE0Wzp9mgLoIQipuS8AGJXUs5res_M13QP4JeE-4wkSTZJe53K6Lie5HF9pa-0VrJ-BijLys6RfaiKYYb-eWmiTVvtVB/s1600/DSC_0156.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551219599604362162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwszABWoCM2YnDyBebRWAVWg6qiz6WzvKI1hBqOT1_GPwnpb8NE0Wzp9mgLoIQipuS8AGJXUs5res_M13QP4JeE-4wkSTZJe53K6Lie5HF9pa-0VrJ-BijLys6RfaiKYYb-eWmiTVvtVB/s320/DSC_0156.JPG" /></a><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">We are impatient to see the result and we thank the team for this beautiful day.</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></p><div><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="right"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>Karima<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-15883183868573583072010-12-09T15:12:00.007+00:002010-12-15T18:33:48.165+00:00Walk to Tinmel<div align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Tuesday 7th was a national holiday in Morocco (muslim new year). A chance for me to go out for a big walk with the girls and visit the Tinmel mosque! Most of the new girls never visited this famous monument.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Nicola (last year volunteer) came to spend some days with the girls before going back to Australia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">So we walked and walked and…walked! It was a really slow walk with a lot of break to take pictures and drink water from the river. It was so nice even if it was cloudy. We took the hiking trail which allowed us to go through the village where “hdiden” is shooting!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">What?? You don’t know Hdiden??? It’s a famous Moroccan tv show and the girls love it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">They took pictures in the villages and they were so exited!</span></span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550934572922098562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRXSCmer4BK9Pr9NTMpQXdET8DB7rSCnt6oWgDKceNBqGp0bYTOzoWJyRvbccFb8jOdBQ8YdyGEE4EiJb4khzUuENAfVJ4XfEdmXuCKwTEXYV6LZYsx4rR_UE4k9jV3gxIbEhphbSDaur/s320/DSC_1775.JPG" /> <span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Then we continued and something bad happened…something really really really bad…my camera fell and broke!! </span></span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Anyway, 2 hours later we finally arrived to the mosque, and every time I find it beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">Before going back to Talat N’Yacoub we ate sweets and cakes and with Nicola we were the police officers “don’t throw your sweets paper!!”</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550976856298677698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0J83KkJgPUppt3OTURNH_FhIFrjEefzqRk7zLoWcFe9lRj3B2FKzw0nlPwGRISBfHkIE9PxuuM_4aKaWCaq9j2DmvW8Hgeo62Bb-XE3sYYQjumsv_qLYJXsOL3_n9og47Y3xvCFAPoiV/s320/IMG_5740.JPG" /> <p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;">And when we came back, most of the girls cheated and took a mini bus! And the other, more brave, walked to the house and arrived really tired but proud of them!</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:arial;"><em>More pictures on our Facebook page: </em><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Education-For-All/85136160064"><em>http://www.facebook.com/pages/Education-For-All/85136160064</em></a></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></span></p><p align="right"><br /><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em>Karima</em></span></span></p>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603052966234114181.post-68434869960998391892010-12-07T09:59:00.009+00:002010-12-07T18:55:40.036+00:00One week in Dar Tinmel<span style="font-family:arial;">As I am volunteer at Dar Asni, I decided to spend a few days in the second house « Dar Tinmel » located at Talat N’Yacoub so as to get acquainted with the 20 girls there.<br /></span><div align="justify"><span style="font-family:arial;">Talat N’Yacoub is at about 50km far from Asni and it is a village more isolated than Asni.<br />This week allows me to discover the organisation at “Dar Tinmel” but also to learn more about this area. Indeed, this place has got a lot of historical monuments and ruins such as Tinmel Mosque monuments dating the dynasty of Almohad. What most amazed me it is the fact that these monuments are in the wild state, without barriers of protection or entrance fee while the slightest historic stone in France would have been surrounded from everywhere!!! </span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547915987115437954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwjt7svbcnm22guhjny9YJdcO83VLpw6TlIW7yNuXLb0yQtBmH7DvGy16DhpYXhltLR7hk1GEwDvShDBKjfzkjXGXtcoFys5tBKLIZ2PnhUugEX3k5FdI2RYZcn38rPkIjIqlWagRKojc/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" /></p><p align="justify">What about the girls? Well, “Dar Tinmel” is not as big as “Dar Asni”; the city is more anchored in mountains, and those facts present assets but also bad points. Let’s speak about the negative side before! Power cuts, cuts of water, interruption of transport in case of plentiful rain and this can last all day long…with 20 girls in the house…imagine…<br />But it was also funny because we have to bring some water from the hammam: Karima, Khadija and me, in the rain with our buckets of water and wading in the mud, what a beautiful memory isn’t it girls!<br />Let’s speak about the positive points and there is a lot! First of all, the kisses. Well, I do not remember having made so many kisses of all my life! The girls kiss you the morning to say hello, then another kiss when they go to school then another when they come back to home and so on, 20 multiplied by 5, 6 or 7, in brief, you must be strong in mathematics! Moreover, the girls are really united, friendly and studious, and otherwise be not worried, the hurricane Khadija is there to make the order reign, isn’t it Khadija? </p><div align="justify">I really enjoy spending my time with the girls, playing houla houp and dancing on the terrace, going to the souk with them and having fun near the river! There are so many things to be said and to be lived at Dar Tinmel and Talat N’Yacoub. Thank you all: the girls, the two Khadijas and my friend Karima. </div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWnwmFAXXVhGhQ5XCnQ1CxsKNz3uhqGoEJa2WBivrnDDjKJzncCZgHMb7rPqtrE2tEwlob2Ck7wFR2s7_f-1mTg5Y81JBZAPo1O3AbH0_7PLfJrStfD4QlkaCnxiK1xJNMS4ixXhbozw5/s1600/DSCF1219.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547915324030722930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWnwmFAXXVhGhQ5XCnQ1CxsKNz3uhqGoEJa2WBivrnDDjKJzncCZgHMb7rPqtrE2tEwlob2Ck7wFR2s7_f-1mTg5Y81JBZAPo1O3AbH0_7PLfJrStfD4QlkaCnxiK1xJNMS4ixXhbozw5/s320/DSCF1219.JPG" /></a></p><div align="right"><em>Fairouze</em></span></div>Dar Asnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165300608263097360noreply@blogger.com