Spirited Times - June 2009

This is the location where the Women’s Center will be built. It shows some of the local women who are helping in the effort. Source: Erin Atwell’s blog; see more photos and information there.

How to build a women's center in Morocco

By Erin Atwell

Talbrjte, Morocco – Last June, when I first arrived at my site as a Health Peace Corps Volunteer, I did a "needs assessment" with the women of my community, Talbrjte, to see where I could fit in as a new volunteer.  The 30 women I interviewed overwhelmingly expressed a desire to have a women's community center.  After six months of discussing the idea with various community members, I came to the conclusion that building a women's center was a worthwhile, sustainable project.  Since then, I have met weekly with 14 girls from the community who are assisting in the design and implementation of this project.

Fortunately, the women immediately received support from local associations and the local government. After much discussion as to how to best meet the community's needs, the objectives of the women's center were identified.  None of the women and few of the girls in this community are allowed to attend school.  Consequently, the Talbrjte Women's Center will include a literacy classroom, staffed by the local schoolteacher, where the women can learn to read and write in a safe environment.  The women expressed a strong desire to learn a handicraft that will one day enable them to bring in an income. The local government is donating the necessary materials and expertise to teach these women skills such as embroidery and weaving.  Finally, as a health volunteer I am acutely aware of the health situation in the community. Because there is no transportation available to the local health clinic, many women in the community are unable to take their children to the doctor for vaccinations and illnesses.  The same applies to the women themselves.  The Ministry of Health has agreed to donate the time and equipment necessary to have a functioning health room in the Talbrjte Women's Center.

This women's center will go beyond helping these women to read, write, and be healthier.  The women's center will empower them to take control of their lives and their socioeconomic situations.  The local association and local government are contributing both financially and in-kind.  Their contributions make up 43% of the total project cost.  However, this project still needs $16,902.06 to be built.  I hope you will consider making a contribution.  Even the smallest contribution will help make the Talbrjte Women's Center a reality.

To donate you can CLICK HERE for a direct link or go to www.peacecorps.gov, follow the links through “Donate Now” and “Donate to a Volunteer Project,” and then search by my last name (Atwell) or by country (Morocco).

On the project page, you will be able to see how much has been donated and how much is still necessary to fully fund this project.  If you know any individuals or group who may be interested in supporting this project, please forward the information to them.  I cannot express in words the impact that the successful completion of this project will have on the lives of the women in my community.  Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Erin Atwell is a Peace Corps Morocco '08-'10, Health Sector volunteer. For additional information and images, see Erin’s blog at www.almaghrebalaqsa.blogspot.com.

Church of the Holy Spirit parishioner, Erin Atwell, Peace Corps volunteer, is helping to build a women’s Center in Morocco. Source: Erin’s blog.