By Renda Nazzal | Ethnographic School Liaison and Manager
This June we are implementing a pilot water-school for 50 children in the community of Ait Baamrane. As the summer approaches, we are reaching some of our main goals when preparing for this pilot water-school. So far, Dar Si Hmad has created a cohesive and detailed plan of activities and curriculum for the three-week program. This plan includes themed days such as forms of water, microscope creatures and discovery, local plants and wildlife, sport and health, hygiene, theater and environment, maintaining a clean and tidy school, technology and finally, a beach trip to see the ocean, which for most will be their very first time.
Additionally, Dar Si Hmad has partnered with the delegate for the Ministry of Education and three local teachers to help guide the children through activities and teach them the curriculum in their native-language of Amazigh (Berber). Ensuring that the curriculum will be taught in Amazigh is a focal point of this project as it allows for the transfer of knowledge to be easily-understood, encouraging the students to ask questions in their native language; our goal being to nurture curiosity of the world in which they live. In addition to the teachers, we will also have a local Moroccan student work as the videographer and later produce a short film about the water-school to be used for future events and fundraising.
This coming month we will be meeting with the delegate for the Ministry of Education, the parents and the children themselves to confirm the curriculum for the water-school. We believe in the participatory approach because the children’s feedback and input is vital to the sustainability of this project.
Our main challenge now is mobilizing funds. So far, we’ve been able to secure funds from additional sources to purchase two microscopes, three books, microscope slides and various games. However, we have many items on the list to acquire before the school begins such as magnifying glasses, disposable cameras, two scales, one telescope and more environmental picture books and puzzles. We are also preparing a file for local companies to sponsor this project in order to help with our expenses.
We ask our friends and partners to please share our water-school campaign with your networks. We thank you all for your continuous support as Dar Si Hmad launches this new and exciting project for the rural youth!
As always, we welcome your comments and questions. Please feel free to e-mail us at dar@darsihmad.org to let us know what you think.
Best regards from Morocco,
The Dar Si Hmad Team
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