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Friday, December 20, 2019

Dar Bouidar, Morocco


Orphanages conjure up pictures that go hand in hand with humanitarian work.  This is the first one we've encountered, even though we've heard some horror stories about other Moroccan orphanages.  Our friend, Sue, has begun volunteer work here and took us along with her.


This facility is funded by Swiss.  The founder had a vision.


Sponsors donate money for buildings, around-the-clock caretakers bussed in from the villages, or if you desire you can give 300 Euros a month for the upkeep of a child.  This school educates the children every day.  A central kitchen delivers food to each separate  home.  A main laundry facility keeps the clothes clean.  A medical team is ever at the ready.


One company even desired to put an experimental solar unit out here.  Their rent goes into the pot.


State-of-the-art dental equipment brings with it a dentist on retainer.


A music room


A playground


Storerooms of clothes


and educational supplies


120 children--


Discarded due to illegitimacy--


No birth certificate, no hope of being adopted according to Sharia law--


25 a day--discarded all over Morocco













Ten to twelve children are housed in a very lovely home unit and cared for by two women who come from a nearby village.  Some of these "mothers" are biological who just want to be near their child.
The children are clean and obviously very very loved.










As employment gigs go here in Morocco, I think this one is right up there!  I have friends in the U.S. who would be so completely happy to work here forever.



Photographing this guy proved beyond me.  He was too shifty, but I did get a good clear pole shot.  I think he misses his other two penmates--they expired.  Ostriches at an orphanage seemed incongruent, but then again...isn't most everything?

Second Chance School--CMEPS



Our CMEPS pre-school partners have diversified and opened up this alternative school a few blocks from where we live.  They are taking kids off the street and those that have failed in a traditional setting and are teaching them culinary skills, cosmetology and aluminum framing.  Because they are so close to us, I suspect that we'll become involved.  They look fairly "All Moroccan", but that apparently is Just. Not. So.  Stay tuned.































Favorite books

  • Me 'n Steve
  • Thundering Sneakers
  • James Herriott's vet books
  • The Count of Monte Cristo
  • Travels with Charley
  • A Walk in the Woods
  • Peace Like a River
  • The Egg and I
  • Mary Poppins
  • Extremly Loud Incredibly Close
  • How Green Was my Valley