Keep pupils studying in the High Atlas Mountains

Thanks to you, we ended 2022 on a high note!

A group of Virgin Atlantic climbers joined our ‘Climb Morocco’ challenge and successfully summited Mount Toubkal, raising over $30,000 for the study centre project. 

Preparations for the challenge event had started back in 2020 but plans had to be put on hold when Moroccan borders closed to international travel during Covid.

To see the event become a reality after such a long wait made it even more joyful. We would also like to make special mention of Kasbah Tamadot, Virgin Unite and the fantastic team at GlobalGiving who helped to match all donations during the campaign.

This all means that we can move forward with getting the study centre prepared for opening in late Spring. Leading the project will be our new Eve Branson Foundation President, Fatima Gounsa.  

Fatima brings a wealth of local knowledge and experience. She is pictured here on the steps of our new study centre alongside the Virgin Atlantic team after completing their climb! 

Fatima collected the keys to the building last week and recruitment is now underway to appoint two local managers who will supervise the centre. We are sourcing quotes to purchase desks, equipment and install CCTV as an additional security precaution.

The Eve Branson Foundation makes a meaningful impact on the community we serve by making sure no-one gets left behind. Exams can be a difficult time for even the most prepared students. Many will drop out of education here because they lack a quiet place to study and then struggle to achieve their grades.

With this challenge at the forefront of our minds, we developed the study centre project to provide 500 students in Asni with a safe learning space. The centre will support exam revision, improve access to learning materials and provide a quiet environment inbetween lessons. 

Once open, we can deliver improved education outcomes for both girls and boys enrolled in secondary education. The centre is the first of its kind and is invaluable to Asni. 

A huge thank you - we couldn’t have achieved any of this without your support.

On 24th July, 500 local students and primary school children from across Asni valley came together to participate in our biggest ever community litter-pick.

The day was a resounding success! We provided the bags, caps, T-shirts and refreshments while the team leaders helped to make the activity safe and fun. The participants enjoyed the experience, collecting over 2,000 kilos of rubbish until every roadside and outside space sparkled again. 

Young people are a key part of our work in the local community. Whether it's a village litter-pick or enrolling them to learn a new skill, we encourage everyone to actively participate. Due to learning loss during the pandemic, many secondary school students have fallen behind and failed to achieve the grades they needed. Provision of a quiet and safe space for revision can be vital to a successful exam period. Sadly, there will be some who are unable to continue their schooling this term.

School closures and stretched resources have disproportionately affected the most vulnerable students. Learning poverty now threatens the education of hundreds of young people in the region.

To compensate for learning loss, EBF's new study centre project will see up to 400 students using the facility each week.  Thanks to our collective fundraising effort and the generosity of donors like you, we have now secured $40,000 towards the project.

In August, a sub-group of EBF Board members and local education representatives was formed to create 'Tousna for Education Asni' whose role is to work with the local authorities to ensure the effective running of the centre. 

We await a firm commitment from the local education body to offer a regular contribution towards staffing costs for the centre. We are eager to get the doors open but we recognise the future success of the centre depends on providing students with a safe and well managed space. 

In readiness, we have made an application to install electricity and Wi-Fi connectivity in the building. We will send an update once we have met again with the new council representatives in the coming weeks. 

Thank you for helping to shape this very important project with us. You are helping to transform the lives of young people in Morocco! 

Links:

• More about our work in the region.