Access to potable water is one of the most serious problems affecting communities in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. There is a 19% infant mortality rate in this particular region, which is 4 times the national average, directly linked to unsafe drinking water. Women and girls spend many hours procuring water that is non-potable. This project will reduce infant mortality rates, reduce illnesses among the general population, and improve the lives of women and girls.

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The over-arching purpose of the High Atlas Foundation is grassroots development in predominantly rural disadvantaged communities in Morocco. HAF was founded in 2000 by former Peace Corps Volunteers as a way to build upon the relationships and knowledge gained during their years of service for the continued benefit of the Moroccan people. HAF is led by its Board of Directors and Operational Team of Moroccans and Americans, and has a highly distinguished Advisory Board. Our work is grounded in the participatory approach, which is also stated to drive major Moroccan public initiatives to promote sustainable human development. While HAF is not a policy-oriented organization, we recognize the need for top down support of grass roots initiatives, and to that end, we work to support understanding and use of the participatory approach in all levels of government and society. HAF is a U.S. 501(c)(3) organization and a Moroccan association, and since 2011 has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The High Atlas Foundation works to establish development projects in different parts of Morocco that local communities design and manage, and that are in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF uses a participatory development approach that includes beneficiaries as active partners in every step of the development process - from prioritizing development goals to project implementation and management to monitoring and evaluation. Key to this approach is the facilitation of community planning meetings where beneficiaries together determine the types of projects they want to undertake and create action plans, which most often in fruit tree agriculture, clean drinking water, women's and youth empowerment, and development training. Accomplishments of the High Atlas Foundation include: planting with communities 321,600 fruit trees and saplings in six provinces of Morocco (at least doubling the income benefiting approximately 30,000 people); building of eleven clean drinking water systems in villages that are among the most remote (halving infant mortality in a population of 3,000 people); and the construction of three women's and girl's cooperatives (providing 60 families social service and employment opportunities). The Foundation has conducted a series of experiential participatory training workshops in the Mohammedia area, successfully transferring skills with 30 university students and 15 communal assembly members. Key partnerships include a global convention with Morocco's High Commission of Waters and Forests to work with rural villages neighboring the country's ten national parks. Hassan II University in Mohammedia has partnered with HAF to create the Center for Community Consensus Building and Sustainable Development, which transfers essential skills in participatory community planning to students, faculty, local government technicians and elected representatives, civil society workers, and citizens.

Kate first came to Morocco as a Peace Corps Volunteer (2001-2003). She now serves as the organization's first Country Director and is based in Rabat, Morocco where she oversees the organization's partnerships, projects, and operations. She has experience in the areas of fundraising and nonprofit operations, environmental science and policy, and has been an active board member of HAF since 2005.