Volunteer in Amezray Community Center Expansion Project
Highlights
- Explore the ancient streets of Marrakech and the mountain Berber community of Amezray
- Work alongside the local community and discover a new culture
- Provide hope and encouragement to those in need and spread joy
- Help the children have a better future and education
Overview
Join us and the Atlas Cultural Foundation in building a community center alongside local community members in the High Atlas mountain region of Zawiwya Ahansal, Morocco. The center will provide highly impactful education and health programs to the local tribal members. No prior construction skills necessary!
Project Need: The Amezray Community Center was built in 2005 to house local association members, but the existing building is not sufficient to support current and future program needs and initiatives. Development aid in Zawiya Ahansal is less than a decade old and exists on a much smaller scale than what is found in its neighboring regions and the rest of Morocco. This is due to remoteness, difficult living conditions, harsh weather and historical lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, health care, and electricity.
Project Summary: Surf For Life's onsite partner, The Atlas Cultural Foundation, met with the local Moroccan association Amezray SMNID and discussed their most pressing needs that match Surf for Life’s mission. The Community Center Expansion was identified as the top priority for Amezray. Surf For Life volunteers will participate in the construction of the building with local craftsmen and will provide hands-on support: including excavation, stone masonry, landscaping, concrete formwork and more.
The remodeled building and new multi-purpose room will be used for:
Elementary School Tutoring Program for 80 students, 5 days a week, 11 months a year.
Adult English Language Courses for 10 students, 5 evenings per week, year round.
Computer Lab for use with the tutoring program and English classes.
Library for students and office for tutors and English language teachers.
Bi-annual association member meetings with over 130 attendees.
Annual Community Health Workshops. Topics include refuse, sanitation and hygiene, dental care, agriculture, food preservation and preparation, nutrition, soil and water quality and care.
Preschool program for 20 students, 5 days per week, 11 months a year.
Extracurricular activities (art, music) and end of year celebrations and theatre performances.
Cultural and educational programs for locals and tourists; carpet weaving, story telling, theatre, history lectures, etc.