Morocco

Morocco was among the first countries to invite the Peace Corps to assist in its development and manpower needs. A group of 53 surveyors, English teachers and irrigation foremen first arrived in Morocco in 1963 at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 1963 to today, more than 3,500 Volunteers have served the Kingdom of Morocco in more sites, sectors, and projects than can be accurately reported, but which have included such endeavors as lab technology, urban development, commercial development, education of the blind and deaf, rural water supply, small business development, beekeeping, and English training. Currently, Volunteers serve in the following sectors: Environment, Health, Small Business Development, and Youth Development.

Environment

The Environment sector assists local communities and the Department of Water and Forests to translate country development plans into community-level actions.

Environment Volunteers work in teams with local partners and Water and Forests Department personnel to promote environmental education curricula in rural schools and protected areas' information centers. Additionally, they expand the communities' capacity to improve environmental quality, and thereby motivate the public to be more environmentally-conscious and make responsible and balanced decisions in order to protect the environment.

Health

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the health sector addresses community health problems such as high infant mortality rates and adverse living conditions associated with poor water quality and inadequate sanitation facilities. In order to do so, Volunteers are assigned to small communities and villages where they work to:

• Promote personal and environmental health and reinforce appropriate health behaviors, and,
• Enhance the capacity of targeted professionals and organizations, in order to deliver effective preventive health education throughout rural communities.

Small Business Development

The small business development sector collaborates with the Ministry of Tourism, Artisans and Social Economy. The program prepares Moroccans and their local associations or cooperatives to develop and enhance sustainable microenterprises.

Volunteers provide technical assistance to women and men artisans, who work mainly in the handicraft sector. They help increase quality of production; enhance basic small business practices, marketing and entrepreneurial skills; improve business management practices; seek available and appropriate resources, including grants and micro-financing options; and effectively use information technologies.

Youth Development

Youth constitute the majority of Morocco's population. Volunteers assigned to youth and women's centers provide youth, women, local partners and communities with participatory educational opportunities that develop their own capacity to improve their lives.

Volunteers encourage local youth to become more involved in their communities through targeted activities, which build leadership skills and community awareness. They mentor youth; teach computer, business, English, and literacy skills; lead HIV/AIDS and health awareness activities; and organize community cleanups and tree plantings. Volunteers encourage students' participation in national English camps, environmental clubs, and sports teams. Their work helps empower youth and women to improve their lives and increases the capacity of local professionals who work in youth, gender, or community development.

Last updated Sep 28 2008