Covid-19: Emergency help for children and youth

Dear Partner,

I am glad to share with you an update of some of the youth you support in this particular context.

• Ayoub: 

Ayoub is a young teenager smiling and beloved. As many children around the world, the life’s habits changed for them due to the covid pandemic. 

A successful professional project

Despite the difficult days that we had during the pandemic, Ayoub had always a good spirit. He is now at his first year in high school, he likes mathematics and physics he want to study next year a scientific sector. In the future, he is looking forward to study economics «I would like to study in commercial and economic field”

After studying, online during the lockdown he is now, back to school. Mature and serious he could maintain his level and still progressing in good conditions due to your continuous support

A difficult lockdown

As I already told, lockdown was difficult for Ayman, who spent it with his mother in Casablanca this city where the restrictions were hard. To distract himself and after finishing his studies he can watch movies such as “Harry potter” or play soccer on the tablet. He always felt comfortable with the life in the apartment, and had good links with his educator Yousef and Saif his friend .He is also in contact with Zakaria who left the apartment to study in Casablanca. Ayoub is very optimistic about his future and perseverant to reach his goals.

• Ihab:

A motivated student

At his second year of high school he is preparing his baccalaureate. “I am working hard to get my baccalaureate, so that I can go to Casablanca to finish my studies”. I would like to work in economics”. He studied economics in high school and it seems to be very interested in this sector, but also expressed during our conversation his curiosity toward the professional life and wants to work in commercial field. During the lockdown Ihab was still studying, and had his regional exam, which is important for his last year of baccalaureate. He did his best and had 12 out of 20”Youssef told me that it was a quite good grade «He did his best especially with the covid situation it was not easy; this grade is good for his baccalaureate diploma” told me Youssef his educator. 

Ihab is a fan of soccer; he is a supporter of the Raja of Casablanca, and never misses a match of this famous Moroccan soccer team. Unfortunately, with the covid situation the young teenagers could not play, he loves to play as a defender .Before the pandemic, matches were organized in different places of the city, and the teenagers of SOS Children Village, played against the districts teams of Mohamedia. Besides his passion for soccer, he is has also the art spirit and loves music, particularly rap music .Music helped him to distress during the lockdown.

A new life at the apartment

The teenagers had to leave their boarding schools due to the covid pandemic, and live at the apartment. Youssef their educator told me “with the covid situation we had to change the organization, it was difficult for them, since they had to leave their boarding school and stay at the apartment but understand after that it’s the only choice”. For Ihab it was little difficult at the beginning, but it helped him to be more autonomous when helping for the house chores, a joyful and funny atmosphere was at the apartment. As he is the eldest one in the apartment, he is always trying to be a good example, it shows his maturity and how caring he is.

• Abderrazak:

A professional and young teenager 

During the lockdown, Abderazzak had his second year of vocational training in electricity, despite this hard situation, he was perseverant and studied online so that he can pass his exams and get his diploma. “During the week, we had conference calls and online courses with ours teachers “.The internships were postponed until July and august, it will help him to practice what he studied. He was very studious and perseverant; he got his results and graduated! 

A lockdown with family

Abderazak spent the lockdown with his uncle and left the boys’ apartment to make everyone comfortable. «I need calmness to prepare for my exams, at my uncle’s house it’s peaceful, I have a Wi-Fi connexion and I am with my family, I was happy with them «told me Abderazak. Youssef the educator explained this choice «It is important for the teenagers who have biological families to stay in contact with them. Abderazak has good links with his uncle, and he is autonomous.

I hope that having an update will give you an idea about their daily life during the Covid. On behalf of the SOS Children Village team we thank you for your support and for what you are doing for them so that they will build their future.

As you can imagine, the daily lives of the children are still affected by the COVID-19. At SOS Children’s Village Morocco we continue to follow the official guidance to protect children and families. They have adapted to these changes. As I write, travel to the villages continues to be restricted. Thanks to my colleagues in the village, we could have some information about the children and families. I am pleased to tell you about their daily life during this year.

No matter the exceptional circumstances are, children and young people are determined to succeed. They settled inside the houses and the workshops. “We studied online with our teacher, at the end of the year I was the first in the class with a grade of 8.95/10” told proudly Mehdi, 11 years old. ”I kept in touch with my classmates through video calls thanks to the computing workshop,” told me Nora nine years old. For the SOS young people, our partners supported them with numeric tablets. 

Despite the lockdown, the children enjoyed many activities.

One of them was the celebration of the International Day of The Children Rights. Both SOS educators and children organized a handcraft workshop. The children realized a board game with boxes, including questions about children’s rights. 

The SOS team, SOS mothers and volunteers, organized also a workshop to celebrate the International day of family. To respect the preventive measures, small groups of children participated in six theatrical performances. The productions were entitled: “medical laboratory during Covid-19”; ”sports practice and the risk with the group games”; ”mask’s cautious aspect for the children”; “use of preventive material for children”; “awareness workshop for children ”. Raja 9 years old tells: “I was very happy to perform about Covid-19 and sports activities. they had a strong message. I have understood that we should not exchange our stuff. But also, we have to keep our love bonds with minimum away from others to be all safe”.

Holidays are also an important moments for a child. Aren’t they ? The summer camp is one of the best example for them to entertain and relax. Especially when it comes to break the routine of the lockdown. Since it was not possible to do it outside, the SOS mothers, educators and volunteers, organized several activities. Thinking, sports games, general knowledge, were on stage. The thematic was “Acquire autonomy with personal growth”. “It was a summer camp full of activities. 

Despite these exceptional circumstances, the children of SOS Children's Village of El Jadida keep enjoying warm and peaceful moments with their SOS family. No matter the geographical distance is, they will not forget your precious presence by their side. They are very grateful and thank all the members of their extended SOS family, of which you are an important part. Together, we offer a stable and good environment to the children and young people, where they can develop their talents and knowledge. Thanks to you the children and young people develop themselves and take their way to independence. To you, your family and relatives I wish you health, success and happiness. Happy New Year 2021!