Where We Work

Morocco has deservedly earned its reputation as a truly beautiful and fascinating country. Its geography spans Mediterranean beaches, majestic snow-topped mountain ranges, and expanses of desert.

Its culture is deep and complex, rooted in Islam but also very open to the influences of the East, Africa and Europe. Moroccan hospitality, too, has a very famous reputation and the country’s cuisine is reason enough alone for it to warrant a visit.

Morocco has made great gains over the last decade or so, with significant progress in standards of education and the economy. However, there is still some way to go to make sure increases in standards of living reach all parts of society.

Facts & Statistics

• 49.3% of the population is illiterate – and the female illiteracy rate in rural areas is estimated at 90%;
• 50% of the population is without access to a sustainable water supply;
• 500,000 children have to work to help support their families;
• There is significant urban unemployment, as high as 33% among urban youths;
• Almost 40% of Morocco’s population depends directly on agriculture – and periodic droughts have a severe negative effect on the economy and health and wellbeing;

Sources: UN, Moroccan National Census, US government (1999-2004)

Taroudannt

Our volunteer projects take place in Taroudannt, regarded as the gateway to Southern Morocco and a famous centre of the Souss region.

Taroudannt is a town of around 40,000 inhabitants with a long and rich history. The most obvious symbol of this is the great earth wall that encircles the city, lending it the aspect of a fortress. The Rough Guide (2006) describes it as “one of the most elegant towns in Morocco”. It is famous for its souks and the quality of the craftsmanship in them. The great, often heat-hazed Atlas Mountains offer an imposing backdrop to the North of the town.The town encapsulates much of traditional Berber culture, with The Lonely Planet (2005) describing it as “the market town of the fertile Souss valley, surrounded by orchards of orange trees and olive groves”. Despite this, there is a clear need to support underprivileged youth in the town, which lacks the necessary amenities to provide coordinated help to the many street children that find themselves there.If you are interested in finding out more about the town itself, please visit www.taroudant.info, a community website with lots of information on the town’s history and culture.