Morocco
Bounded on the north by the Mediterranean Sea and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, Morocco bursts with vibrant colours of natural beauty. The land and the culture have been shaped by the interaction of the Berbers, the original inhabitants, and peoples of Arab, sub-Saharan, Jewish and Andalusian origins.
The languages of these peoples have helped provide a unique richness to Moroccan culture. Arabic is the country's official language and Berber is widely spoken. French is taught in primary schools and, like English, is spoken throughout the country.
Our partner,The Thaqafat Association, is a Cross Cultural Moroccan Association and is a non-profit organisation that was established by young Moroccans. Their objective was to promote Moroccan culture and to expose it to the cultures of other countries throughout the world.
Projects
Education
While public schools in Morocco are free of charge and mandatory (but not enforced), it is still the case that many children do not receive an education. Volunteers are required to help with their informal education. You can assist in organising language training sessions for instructors, teaching English or French, or teaching computer skills.
Sample Project
Placements are available in non-governmental organisations in urban areas as well as in the countryside. Volunteers with some language teaching skills are needed to assist children, disabled people and women - the ones who suffer the most from illiteracy. Volunteers can also organise informal English/French classes in local villages.
Social Welfare
You are needed in a wide range of very worthwhile projects, including caring for disabled and homeless people, orphans, abused women and street children. When you volunteer in Morocco, your skills will be needed in various aspects ranging from working in the field to administration.
Sample Project
You will be required to help women and children, victims of violence, poverty, and abuse who need social reintegration, formal and informal education as well as professional training. You will also be needed to help develop social awareness among women in the countryside, to include basic health-care, family planning and raising children.
Tree Planting and Environmental Education
Land conservation and environmental education are becoming increasingly important in the rural areas of Morocco. The increase in population and the modernization of villages have created a lifestyle that is not compatible with the environment. The climate is arid and the topsoil is fragile. Rain and wind are capable of washing the topsoil away presenting the threat of floods, landslides and rendering the land unsuitable for cultivation. For a society that is dependent on subsistence agriculture, such a prospect can be devastating.
The region of El Mers has been suffering from desertification for quite some time. Witness accounts tell of the stark difference between the amount of trees that exist now as opposed to 1 and 2 generations ago. The water levels have also significantly decreased and the temperature, having once been characterized by mild winters and summers is progressing towards extremely hot summers and extremely cold winters.
Sample Project - Tree planting in El Mers
The tree planting project would engage volunteers and Moroccan villagers to work together to fight desertification and land degradation and to protect the region from future flooding by stabilizing the ground and providing methods of water absorption. The presence of the volunteers would be an inspiration to villagers to be more proactive in protecting their environment. Volunteers will gain a better understanding of the lifestyle, culture and everyday issues facing rural inhabitants.
Programme details
Orientation
A one-week orientation will be provided upon arrival in Rabat. You will learn about the country, its culture, its multilingualism, and also about travel safety, medical issues, and how to prepare for living and volunteering in Morocco.
Intensive Language Course
The Thaqafat Association organises courses in Modern Standard Arabic (Fus'ha), Moroccan Arabic (Darija), and Berber (Tamazight). The objective of the 60-hour course is to help you acquire basic communication skills and provide you with opportunities to learn from the rich cultural diversity of Morocco and to develop approaches to understanding and appreciating cultural differences.
Excursions
Once a week during the four-week stay in Rabat, an experienced language teacher will take you to visit markets, museums and historical monuments of the city and its surroundings. The programme offers extensive class preparation before these excursions.
Other Activities
The curriculum also offers various lectures on Moroccan life and culture, as well as special activities such as writing on the wooden board, an overview of Moroccan ceremonies, the experience of the Hammam, and cooking sessions.
Accommodation
You will be living with a Moroccan family during the orientation and language course in Rabat. (Note: Homestay available only in Rabat. Other cities may provide homestay at a higher cost.) Then, you will move to the host project and the accommodations will be either in a homestay family or arranged by the association, depending on the site.
(Note: Some of the homestays may not provide hot water or showers. Public baths are available and widely used by Moroccans in both cities and villages. Toilets may be either Western style or Turkish. Private rooms cannot be guaranteed in homestay.)
Requirements
Age: 18+
Costs for 2012
| With Homestay | Without homestay | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Cost | Duration | Cost |
| 1 week | US$ 967 |
1 week |
UD$ 905 |
| 2 weeks | US$ 1076 | 2 weeks | US$ 963 |
| 3 weeks | US$ 1234 | 3 weeks | US$ 1048 |
| 4 weeks | US$ 1409 | 4 weeks | US$ 1130 |
Arrival dates available for 2 and 3 month programmes: Feb 26, Apr 15, June 11, Further dates for later in 2012 to be announced.
| 2 months | 3 months | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Programme | Cost | Programme | Cost |
| Includes Arabic and homestay | US$ 2485 |
Includes Arabic and homestay |
UD$ 2712 |
| homestay, no Arabic course | US$ 1829 | homestay, no Arabic course | US$ 2291 |
| no homestay, no Arabic course | US$ 1390 | no homestay, no Arabic course | US$ 1617 |
Arrival to be on Sunday - dates available January 9th, February 27th, June 12th.
For placement outside Rabat additional accommodation charges will be made.
Please note, due to fluctuations in the exchange rate prices are given in US$. A price will be quoted in £ sterling on application.
What is included in the cost of the programme
- Information, preparation and support from the EIL UK office, including an interview prior to acceptance on the programme.
- Placement in community service project.
- Ongoing support by local volunteer coordinator.
- Transportation to and from NGO – on first and last day of project.
- A letter of support to the local authorities for re-entry visa after completion of three months in the country.
- Homestay (half board, breakfast and dinner).
- Volunteer work (from 8 to 20 weeks).
What is not included in the cost of the programme
- Travel to and from Morocco.
- Airport pick up upon arrival and back to airport at departure.
- Lunches
- Personal expenses.
- Medical and accident insurance.
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