Ann Pritchard, Programme Co-ordinator EIL UK took part in a Volunteer International Programme to Rabat, Morocco, 8 -14 February 2009
I went to Rabat on Sunday 8th February, to do have a ‘taster’ week volunteering, so I could better understand some of the challenges that might be faced by prospective volunteers. This seemed only reasonable given that it’s a large part of my job to send people to far-flung places to work.
It was certainly eventful. After leaving my passport on the transfer bus at Charles De Gaulle in Paris on the way out, and nearly having to bebeing deported back to the UK, I finally arrived (obviously without my luggage) in Rabat several hours late. The bank at the airport was closed by this time and of course Dirhams can’t be bought outside Morocco. I had no money at all. Luckily, because Air France had lost my luggage, the nice lady at the Air France information desk gave me 400 Dirhams for having to come back and collect my suitcase when it was found. I used this for the taxi to the hotel, otherwise things could have got really interesting!
The hotel was, as I’d expected, pretty basic – and very noisy. It wasn’t one of the best introductions to a new country I’ve ever had. I’ve never spent so many hours in the same underwear, or not been able to brush my teeth, but I chalked it all up to the experience!
The next morning things looked much better. I met up with Fairouz from the Thaqafat Association and was taken for breakfast at their office. I spent the rest of the day meeting some of the wonderful Thaqafat staff, and having a very condensed orientation (of necessity), including survival Arabic lessons, and Moroccan etiquette which was all relevant and extremely useful during my stay. It was great to meet some of the people I’d been speaking on the phone with for the last 18 months.
Fairouz took me to collect my case at the airport that evening, and then to my family, where I dived into the shower before really even speaking to anybody (bit rude, but necessary).
The family I stayed with were just lovely. The sleeping arrangements were strange, the host father and I BOTH slept on (very comfortable) settees in the living area! To explain - they have 2 very large living rooms in the apartment, an everyday one and a posh one, but they were still just opposite each other and although I was sleeping around the corner, in the posh one, and Mohammed was in the daily room, there was no door or screen….. my privacy was respected at all times.
The family definitely didn’t seem to have much money, but they shared absolutely everything so willingly with me. It was obvious they wanted me to sample all the different foods, sights, sounds, etc of Morocco. My ‘highlight’ of life with the family, if I was forced to choose just one, was definitely being scrubbed to within an inch of my life, by two ancient Moroccan women, in a Turkish Hamam, just over the road from the apartment. I looked like a little pink piglet by the time they’d finished, but I had the softest skin ever! If anyone had ever told me I’d be lying on a floor naked, along with about two or three hundred other Moroccan women, being manhandled by 2 very forceful 80-odd year old bath attendants, in the middle of February, I’d have laughed. (I did laugh at the time actually, but it was hysterical). 
My host mother Latifa and I were the only ones having this treatment, which cost her quite a few dirhams extra, I’m sure, but again, it was all part of her wanting me to experience as much as possible. I’m glad I caused so much amusement in the place, as I gasped in horror while at least the top 3 layers of my skin came off in front of my eyes! Really.
The Day Care Centre (for children with special needs) had been founded by my host mother. They employ 2 child psychologists on a consultancy basis and poorer families bring along their children to have them assessed to see if they can attend the Centre, thus allowing the families to work, or even just to give them a few hours respite from caring. The families pay a very nominal sum to the Centre. The rest comesis got from the government (again, a tiny amount) and other money is raised/scrounged etc, from wherever they can get it.
I worked mainly with a small group of 4 – 7 year olds and their teachers, but I also spent time with the other age groups, and ability levels. It was a very humbling experience (I’m sorry if that sounds a bit clichéd). You get quite caught up in things and find yourself getting very excited by even the tiniest of achievements, like a child learning how to blow, or even, in the case of one badly neglected 3 year old, smile….. My highlight from the Day Care Centre? I really can’t choose one. It was a place filled with love and caring, and I was completely overwhelmed at times, by the bravery of the children and the professionalism and tireless dedication of the staff.
I helped with any and all aspects of care with the children; feeding them, playing with them, massaging, and just generally trying to give them love, attention and confidence in themselves.
I struggled by with schoolgirl French for a week, but learned a few phrases in Arabic as well – mainly from sitting with the children while THEY learned. It was exhausting. I can’t begin to imagine how volunteers cope when they go to a country where they really don’t speak any of the language until they’ve had some lessons, and even then it must be very frustrating to begin with.
I learned so much about the people of Morocco, their attitudes and their values. I was bowled over by how little they have and the fact they will share it with a stranger. I learned a lot about myself too. It was just one short week, but I find myself reflecting on the experience quite often and realising that nothing (here in the UK) is that big a deal.
When I remember what the children and parents at the Day Care Centre have to live with, none of my own problems seem quite so bad.
I would certainly recommend ‘proper’ volunteering enthusastically to anyone who enquires now. I can imagine that longer term programmes are extremely rewarding on so many levels (I had very little time to build relationships). I now feel better equipped to do my job. I can at least talk to prospective volunteers with a degree of confidence on the practicalities as well as the emotions.
Someone recently said to me “we can’t help everyone all the time, but we can help some people some of the time”. For me, this sums up what we are all here for, to help make a difference.
Shu’kran!