Care Work in Morocco with Projects Abroad

  Morocco

Rabat

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All Year Round (you set the start and end date)

Description: Located between Algeria and the Western Sahara, Morocco is a vibrant and colorful country, rich with history and folklore. With a flourishing tourist industry the government hopes to improve the standard of living and employment for its people. But the tourist dollar rarely extends to those who need it most which is why it is vitally important that volunteers continue to come to Morocco to support our partner orphanages and disabled centers.

A placement on one of our volunteer Care projects in Morocco can be challenging, but the effort will also prove incredibly rewarding. Volunteers help to improve the quality of life for the children in a variety of homes, centres for disadvantaged children and disabled centres, where staff simply don't have time to provide the individual care and attention that the children require.

You can gain work experience on a volunteer Care project in Morocco whatever your age, abilities or level of experience; whether you are on a gap year - or even a gap month - from further education, or are coming to us during a career break. All we ask is that you have enthusiasm for and a commitment to the work, the staff team and, of course, the children!

All volunteers on a Care Project in Morocco should speak some basic French in order to communicate directly with the children and the local staff.

Voluntary Special Needs and Orphanage work with Projects Abroad:

Our Care volunteers in Morocco are based in and around Rabat, an ancient but rapidly modernising city. Most volunteers work in centres for people with special needs or in support centres for disadvantaged children. Some of the children will have lived on the streets or come from very poor homes and have perhaps never attended school.

In whichever volunteer care project you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. Many of the children will have health or behavioural problems, or may require extra attention due to a range of disabilities.

Volunteering abroad on a Care Project in Morocco:

There is a great deal you can do to contribute to the general care and support of the children. The work depends a lot on the ages of the children you are working with. Volunteering may involve assisting with the day-to-day practical care of the children; ensuring they get up on time and preparing their meals, as well as playing games, organising activities and trips, and offering the children the vital one-to-one attention which they crave. You may even find yourself assisting with zoo therapy where disabled children have the chance to interact with and feed animals like rabbits and lambs. Or you may join a fun play scheme to teach the children circus skills!

The older children often require help with homework, support with developing social and life skills and you may also find yourself teaching some basic English lessons.

Volunteering on a Care Project in Morocco makes a real difference to the organisations we work with. Your help not only stimulates the children but also alleviates the stress felt by the overstretched staff. It will certainly be an experience that those involved will never forget.

This placement is also available as a two-week summer special for high school students between the ages of 16 and 19. Volunteers on this special also have the chance to learn French or Arabic.

Highlights: Historically, Morocco has been a crossing point for travelers, migrants and traders from all over Africa, Europe and the East. Such diverse influences have contributed to an amazing richness and complexity in cultural life, from art to architecture, music to cuisine. Morocco has both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines and many of the large towns are also coastal, including the fabulous trading cities of Casablanca, Agadir and Rabat. Inland, on the edge of the Atlas Mountains, lie the equally enticing towns of Fés, Marrakesh and Meknès.

For your accommodation, you'll live with a host-family. All the families involved are extremely supportive of Projects Abroad and are eager to experience an inter-cultural exchange so they can learn more about the lives of volunteers.

This project offers the opportunity to become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications: None.

Cost in US$: From US$ 2,895 up

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Morocco Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992