2 Day Project Work 24th - 25th

 

Sorry not posted for a couple of days, we wanted to group these 2 days together.

Big shout out to all our readers, I know we have readers from all over the world. G-Day to those is Oz. 

Day 1

We spent the last two days volunteering at a local charity, so only seemed best to write one big piece on our 2 days there.

So a bit of background to the charity, the charity project is called “Dar El Bir Ouai Ihssane”. It’s a huge community project based in central Marrakesh. Hidden behind the rows of shops is an oasis for learning and respite. You wouldn’t know it was there. The complex is split into 2 parts. They have this huge area for people with mental health issues and the elderly and frail. This complex has around 1000 men and 800 women living there. It’s like a mini village, with kitchens and a hospital. Physio rooms and gardens. The other part is an educational centre to help get the children off the streets. In total, around 500 children are learning life skills here as well as getting an education. They showed us around the classrooms, a mixed group doing hair and beauty, the same again learning to cook and provide for themselves. They had a barbering course with some amazing skin fades. All wasted on Chris with his shaved head!!

An electricians course on basic skills and also a carpentry course. The director of the project explained that by giving education and skills like these, the young adults could then go into employment and be able to support themselves. This also meant that they could put their skills to use within both projects as and when needed. He also informed us that over 2500 bread rolls are baked fresh each day(we got to sample these at lunch).

This place is truly remarkable, it stirred a lot of emotions for us all. Seeing how well looked after everyone is and also knowing that we can help a little bit by giving back. 

Our two days here would be spent on the educational centre. Julie, Katie, Sam, Leigh, Ally and Abdul met their project leader and off they went to turn the communal gardens over, trim bushes and plant new flower beds. Claire, Lisa, Ellie and Chris got set to work with Yousef, decorating classrooms and communal verandas. Prepping the walls first then painting them with 42 coat paint (don’t mention the paint to Lisa).

We started working away around 10am in a moderate 24 degree heat. Stopping at 11 for mint tea. Then back to work. Waving to the children as they went about their day. They kept coming over to talk to us and ask how we are. Very polite and well mannered. 

As the temperature started to rise, we stopped for lunch around 1pm. Amazing freshly prepared food. Grilled chicken, veg and rice. Fresh breads and fruit. A feast for kings. A time to chill in the rising heat, before getting back to work. The gardeners happily working away, backs breaking but no complaining. Those decorating and working with Yousef, got put to work painting a red wall cream, to only be told it needed to be painted red. Where’s Yousef, became the phrase of the 2 days!! Ha ha ha 

At 3:30pm we put our tools down and had some mint tea to end the working day. Back on the bus and heading back to the hotel. Quick shower and change, heading out into Marrakesh and to sample the wonders of the local souk. Famous for its market traders and endless meandering corridors. 

We met at reception armed with Google maps and off we set. Following Jungle Jane (Sam) on another trek into the city. 

I can’t even describe how insane these markets and streets are. The rush and hustle of everything happening at once. We step in and out of the shops, haggling with the traders to get the best prices going. Walking away when they won’t budge. 

The streets to this market really are never ending, twisting and turning, dodging mopeds as the fly along nearly wiping you out. 

After what felt like and eternity, we finally found our way out and into the main square. A nice stop at a roof top cafe to take in the sights of the city at night before heading back to the hotel for dinner then bed.

Day 2

An early start this morning as we all met for breakfast at around 8am, into the minibus for 9 and off we set to the project for our second day.

Back to our roles of gardeners and decorators. The feeling of doing something these kids will appreciate really lifted out spirits. After trekking for 4 days for Angel Trust back home, it really was perfect to give something back to the country we’ve loved staying in. 

The temperatures today seemed to climb higher than before, we really couldn’t stay out in it too long. Taking regular breaks for water and trying to stay in the shade as long as we could. We stopped for lunch around 1 today, another amazing meal, freshly prepared for us. Today we had beef, roasted veg and some rice. The beef was so tender, we kept going back for more. A rest in the shade after food and then back to work. We had jobs to finish before our 3:30pm cut off. With gardens done and classrooms and verandas painted, we downed our tools and met for one last final time with all the staff at the project for tea and biscuits. Laughing at where is Yousef. Group photos taken and then aboard our mini bus and back to the hotel. 

Tonight would be our final night in Marrakesh. Off to do some shopping at the mall. We needed to be ready for 7:40pm as we would be going to a traditional restaurant for our farewell meal.

We all met in reception and waited for Abdul to arrive with the minibus and off we set to the Dar Essalam restaurant. One of the oldest restaurants and hotels in Morocco. We arrived to this amazing banquet room. Seated and waiting for the food to arrive, the food just kept on flowing. Course after course. Meats, couscous, vegetables, kebabs, it just never stopped. 

Live traditional music and dancing accompanied our meal. Belly dancers encouraging us to get up and join in. This really was a fantastical place. Loving the Moroccan way of life. 

After the meal and entertainment, we went to a quieter room to say thanks to the leaders, Ally and Abdul from A Different Travel. To our surprise we all got awarded with a certificate of completion. 

OMG!!! We actually did it!! After 3 years in the making, we trekked the Sahara and volunteered in Marrakesh. The reality slowing sinking in for us all. Emotions high, and so they should be. We bloody did it!  Us lot, the Angel Trust Trekkers. You’ve heard it all now. We ain’t gonna stop bleating on about it until we’ve done the next challenge lol 😂 

Back to the hotel and bed, it’s been a late night for us. We are usually in bed for 8pm lol