Project Report
| Jul 1, 2024
EFA Graduation Update
By Samira Govers | Board Member
As the school year is coming to a close we are reflecting on what has been one of the most difficult years in the EFA Association's history. The school year had a brutal start and the students in the region who had just recovered from the COVID-19 disruptions were yet again facing a tumultuous academic year. This final exam period we wish them all the luck and fortitude to get through this closing period and we hope to be able to report back on positive graduation results for all students in their final year!
Since the earthquake, the teams of both EFA Morocco in the UK, as well as Association EFA in Morocco, have worked hard in crisis mode to try and support the girls as best as possible and help the Association recover as quickly as reasonably possible. We have initiated a multi-staged recovery approach to address the aftermath of the earthquake:
Planning for rebuilding in Asni can start and we are growing our number of rental houses out of temporary capacity necessity which means when all rebuilt we will have more capacity then pre-earthquake if we can keep them. This would mean we will be able to grow our intake of girls - operational expense budget allowing... So all rather encouraging!!
And last but not very least; I just heard from our Head Housemother in Morocco and: our 26 baccalaureate candidates ALL passed!!! This is an unprecedented 100% which is not only unique but also rather astonishing considering the disturbed academic year. They have clearly worked very hard and perhaps the measures that were taken with tutoring and extra support in the houses has paid off. The House mothers and team have been immense support too. You can imagine we are soo proud of the girls and happy for them and their families!!
Our teams are well aware that we could not have made this progress without your continued and generous support. We are grateful for your commitment and look forward to continue making a meaningful difference together!
For now, we will look forward to ending this school year full of hope for the future and a fresh new start in September for all the girls and the housemothers in Morocco.
With gratitude
The EFA TEAM
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May 13, 2024
GETTING BACK ON OUR FEET!
By EFA Team | Board
Dear Donor,
We hope you had a good start of the spring term and enjoying the sun coming out a bit more every week…!
Slowly we are starting to receive news about which schools are re-opening. It seems the Ouirgane school is re-opening in September and so will college in Asni and Talaat n Yacoub. This means we will be able to use the Ouirgane house at full occupancy in September and we will be on the look out in Asni for rentals. If the Lycee school also opens we will be on the lookout for a larger plot of land to rebuild ideally 3 houses on 1 plot of land while in the meantime we rent. We would do the same for Talaat n Yacoub.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
On the ground in Morocco they are operating a multi-staged approach to rebuilding after the earthquake. The stages are being executed in parallel by the various teams at EFA Association in Morocco and EFA Morocco LTD in the UK.
- Renting temporary accommodation near the new schools so they can accommodate the students and offer the familiar supportive environment with their peers and dedicated house mother - key to their studies which have suffered greatly in the first half of the school year and not unimportantly had just recovered from the COVID lockdown impact on their education. But also, to support the girls in their healing journey after experiencing immeasurable trauma.
- In December we rented 2 houses in Chwiter where we are housing 55 girls
- In March we rented a house in Ben Youssef for 40 girls. (outskirts to Marrakech so house with closest proximity to the city) to house girls that will be able to attend Ben Youssef school in Marrakech post destruction of Talaat Yacoub Boarding house (the Lycée there is also destroyed).
- Providing full care; food, clothing and necessary equipment replacement that was mostly lost in the quake for our school going girls in the temporary boarding houses.
- Renovating the moderately damaged house in Ouirgane: The renovations to the Ouirgane house have started Mid February and are nearly finalised! This house will be fully operational for a full school-year by September and we are planning to use it for holiday camps and summer camps for the girls to be able to catch up with missed study time during the disaster and the teacher strike that followed this. This is especially important for the girls in their pre-exam year.
- Demolition of damaged houses and planning rebuilding off new houses: We have received approval from the local governments to demolish the severely damaged houses paving the way for us to start planning for the rebuilding. Demolition will start soon after giving the local community sufficient notice for safety reasons. The planning for rebuilding will commence once we know 100% where and when the government will re-open the local schools.
- Structuring extra-curricular program; As mentioned above, due to all school going children having missed much school hours in the aftermath of the earthquake (and the subsequent teacher strike that followed) we are working on a program we can run in the school holidays to provide extra attention to tutoring and more intensive educational support in the form of holiday camps but also importantly give them the much needed mental support to allow them to heal from a turbulent school year.
You can imagine that without your support we would not have been able to do this so we are eternally grateful to you.
Please do sign up to newsletter here so you can stay up to date with our latest news!
Warm regards,
The EFA Team
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Mar 28, 2024
Recovery Update
By Samira Govers | Board Member EFA Morocco Ltd
Dear Supporter,
While 2024 is well under way we are thrilled to share the latest update with you all.
Thanks to your amazing generosity, we have raised over half a million dollars on our earthquake recovery appeal for our partner in Morocco EFA Association. Some of these funds await government confirmation for crucial school rebuilding in the affected area, laying the foundation for rebuilding homes. The least damaged house in Ouirgane is now being renovated! We expect the renovations to be finalised in early May ready to be prepared for the girls to move back into in September for the start of a new Academic year.
In the meantime, we are applying some of the funds to aid our emergency operations. Temporary properties have been rented and they continue to provide resources for the girls' education. Your kindness made all this possible. As recovery progresses, we remain committed to fund these temporary homes and support for the girls throughout this academic year and for as long as needed.
The incredible support from various organizations and schools continues to inspire us. A special mention to the students and teachers at Batty Weber Primary School and the Brill School and every institution that shares our vision enthusiasm for empowering girls' education. Your support is instrumental in breaking the poverty cycle that a lack of education sustains and allows us to shape brighter futures for young girls in the Atlas Mountains through offering this access to education. Thank you for being a beacon of hope!
Please do stay connected for updates on our progress through our newsletters and social media.
Warm wishes,
Samira Govers
Board Member EFA Morocco Ltd
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