Library for 10,000 Moroccan Berbers

Once the winter snow melts and the weather improves enough to begin construction, estimated March, we will begin the final phase of the Library project. Over the past few years there have been a number of successes and also challenges getting this project to the final phase. We are grateful for our helpful local partners and are more than excited for the project to reach completion. 

As construction begins, we will post project updates here and are looking forward to housing our first community programs in the building later this year!

This project combines architectural preservation with community development, not an easy achievement, and after years of perseverance we and the community are proud of our efforts.

In partnership with Association Amezray SMNID and a group of Montana State University students ACF hosted a week-long computer training from March 10 until March 18. The program was led by MSU professor Ada Giusti and a group of students funded by the MSU Undergraduate Scholars Program. The training focused on basic computer use and maintenance with a specific focus on Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Program participants included ACF staff, SMNID board members, employees of the local town council, the sheikh of Zawiya Ahansal, the imam from the village of Aguddim and university students from Beni Mellal.

"This training was much more successful than we anticipated," said Youssef Oulcadi, the president of SMNID. "Many more participants showed up than expected; an obvious example of the need for this type of training in the region. We hope to make it an annual event."

The training is now an annual event and will be held again in March of 2013.