Volunteer in Assa

“I've just spent three weeks in Assa and took part in the opening of the language center as a teaching assistant in a French class. It's been a truly enriching and inspiring experience. Assa is medium-sized city close to the desert surrounded by a chain of rocky mountains. I hardly saw any Westerners outside our group: this is an authentic Moroccan experience. Locals were welcoming and very benevolent towards us. The house -quite a thing in itself- is conveniently located very close to the school with great views over the surrounding landscape (mosque and mountains). The school has just been renovated and boasts state-of-the-art facilities (modern electronic boards with access to Internet). I was lucky to meet and connect with really nice and genuine people (other volunteers) from all over the world. I felt truly integrated within the group in a way I had not felt for a long time in a group of people. The teachers too were very warm and open and a pleasure to work with. Special thanks to Ouma and her family who invited us for Iftar and Fatma with whom I had great pleasure in working so smoothly. A big shout out to Lahcen, the actual host, who worked really hard to make the experience worthwhile for us volunteers (while of course being involved in launching the whole project). It really paid off: the opening of the school was a real success and I am glad to have been part of it and brought my modest contribution to it. Thanks for the regular outings in the desert camp located outside Assa in a breathtaking lunar reddish landscape . Those times under the tent were really special (facilitated by great hosts Abdou and Selim). There are also really nice walks to do just outside the city where the old city can be found located on a steep hill with breathtaking views over the whole city, its many mosques and the oued at the bottom (the Draa) and its lush green gardens and palm trees. I took many photos. Last but not least, let's not forget the kids who were our primary reason for being there. Mine ranged from eight to fourteen years old and they were all so endearing, each in their own way. A lot of them were very engaged and enthusiastic, some a bit more withdrawn and less confident but being in contact with all of them was such a fulfilling experience! I was only able to take part for three weeks , -I have an office job-, and this is by far the best holiday experience I have had in a very long time (and my best workaway experience overall). I would gladly have stayed on longer if possible and I look forward to being back there as soon as possible. I warmly and heartily recommend Lahcen and his project to anybody thinking about joining it.”