Improve Rural Moroccan Schools: Sami's Project

The High Atlas Foundation has launched the next phase of its literacy program, creating meaningful learning opportunities for women in earthquake-affected communities. As many families continue to rebuild their homes and livelihoods, the program has been designed with flexibility to allow women to participate without compromising urgent household and recovery responsibilities.

By adapting the timing and pace of implementation to each cooperative’s circumstances, the program helps ensure that literacy remains accessible, relevant, and sustainable. This approach reflects a core principle of the Training of Trainers (ToT) methodology: adult learning is most effective when it responds directly to participants’ daily realities.

Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative (Tameslouht Commune)

The 17 women participants in Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative have demonstrated strong commitment through regular attendance and active participation since starting in August of 2025. Early results show encouraging progress in literacy and numeracy, with participants already applying new skills in practical ways linked to their economic activities. They are learning to calculate prices, give correct change, and strengthen communication with clients. For participants who dropped out of school, English sessions have also been introduced to build confidence in basic client interactions. This integrated approach is strengthening both self-confidence and economic readiness.

Timiyourine Nissae Tinmel Cooperative (Talat N’Yacoub Commune)

Although housing reconstruction delayed the start of classes, the flexible structure has enabled the 18 women of Timiyourine Nissae Tinmel Cooperative to gradually engage while balancing recovery responsibilities. Participation is stabilizing, and women are progressively building confidence in foundational reading, writing, and numeracy skills since starting in October of 2025. In this context, the program provides not only education but also a sense of continuity and personal progress during recovery.

Tifawt Ouidraren Cooperative (Aghbar Commune)

Despite challenges related to remoteness and ongoing post-earthquake pressures, the 20 participants of Tifawt Ouidraren Cooperative in Aghbar are participating steadily, supported by adaptive, step-by-step instruction. The learning environment encourages gradual progress, helping participants strengthen foundational skills while maintaining motivation in a challenging context.

Program Impact

Across all three cooperatives, the literacy program is generating meaningful early impact. Women are not only improving their reading and writing abilities but also gaining practical skills that support their daily lives and economic activities. By linking literacy with real-world applications and adapting to post-earthquake realities, the program is strengthening resilience, rebuilding confidence, and supporting pathways toward sustainable livelihoods and community recovery.

Participants particularly appreciated the learning materials provided, as they are tailored to the artisanal sector and therefore more relevant than the standard textbooks previously used. This relevance has strengthened engagement and motivation, as women can immediately connect what they learn to their daily work and income-generating activities. As a result, the literacy sessions go beyond basic reading and writing skills, contributing directly to practical economic knowledge, improved confidence, and a stronger overall impact of the program.