Words I put into sentences......

*10/11/2010*

Today marks the day that I completed my very first Peace Corps project. About 3 weeks ago I was thinking of some smaller projects that I could do while I try and sort out my bigger vetiver plant projects. My idea for the Gafait library book project came about in a couple of different ways:

1. My neighbor and his plight to get a school bus for the children in Taznight (northern neighborhood) who go to the Jr. High School in Harrash (the southern neighborhood, about a 30minute walk). And although a school bus project and a library book project don’t seem to go exactly hand-in-hand, my neighbor’s continuous discussions with the Ministry of Education gave me the idea that he may be a good person to work with. 

2. I noticed a lack of books or none at all at the two primary schools, one college and dar chbab (youth center).

3. After becoming friends with many of the little girls in my neighborhood, I began to ask them questions about what school is like and the things they like to do etc. I asked if they had homework or did anything after-school. They said no, they just come home.

Of course there is nothing wrong with just coming home after school. Lord knows that most days I just wanted to come straight home and not go to basketball practice, do my homework or extra reading. But as I said in an earlier blog post, my love/hate relationship with reading has in a way fueled my desire to be an education advocate.

Gafait is about less than 100km from Oujda (population about 500,000). In Oujda there is access to fast internet, bookstores, private schools etc. For me, Gafait is a world of different. The opportunities for children here are drastically different. Though many are happy to go to school and love it, I had a feeling that with a couple extra books in their classrooms not only would the atmosphere of the class be better but also opportunities for children to read and enhance their reading and writing skills, imaginations etc. would also be increased.

So that was my hope. I pitched the idea to my neighbor who really liked the idea and got his association to help me with future verification of the books etc. To hopefully ensure the livelihood of the books.  

At first I started looking for those who would just donate books, no politics, no b.s., just donate to donate. I really did not have much luck in that department and again found another cultural difference between Morocco and the United States. In the States we have book drives, donations, public libraries etc, at our disposal pretty much anytime we want. In Morocco, it’s a bit different, or at least I’ve found it to be different in my situation.

 I then contacted a friend at the U.S. Embassy and asked her for help. I asked if she knew anyone who would donate books, anyone I could talk to. Within the week, it was settled that I was going to be getting 166 books, CDs, brochures and pamphlets in Arabic, French and English. I was a little shocked and then immediately terrified. Oh my gosh! My first project was becoming a reality. I found good people to work with and a great source for books. Holy cow!

So fast forward to today, with the help of my neighbors association and the U.S. Embassy’s Information Resource Center I was able to deliver books to the two primary schools, Jr. High school and the youth center! I would say this was a great day!!

And although I do not enjoy reading the way some of my friends and family do, I know that I am privileged and lucky to not only have the ability to read but to have had and continue to have, books to read. So thanks Mom and Dad :) 

I am hopeful that some of the books that were donated today will help the children of Gafait and perhaps inspire more reading later on in life. 

Thanks to everyone who helped me with this project!!!! 

*The books*

* At the Jr. High School*

*At the Harrash Primary School*

*At the Taznight Primary School*