Get Involved: Morocco Volunteer

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Edel Dawson

  ATLAS PANORAMA - Volunteer Trip

  

  Written April 2010

  This was my third trip to Morocco and my second volunteer trip to the Tijhza village.  I was on the volunteer trip in September 2009 and just had to go back again this year.  The people in the village make you feel so welcome and they really appreciate the work done by the volunteers during the 3 days spent in the village.  The days are spent working on the various projects that Andy has lined up, whether its painting one of the poorer villager's house or classrooms in the school or, as we also did in April this year, plant trees.  It's not all work though and there is plenty of interaction with the locals, especially with the children in the local school.  At first they tend to be very shy but like all kids, the shyness soon disappears and they have fun trying to talk with you, asking you your name and getting you to repeat their names over and over.  There's also the football match between the teachers from the village school and the volunteers from the trip - one not to be missed! What was also great about the trip was the number of volunteers who have been to Tijhza a number of times to help out with the project and plan to be there again next year and I hope to join them. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  On the trip last September we started to dig out an area for the planned water tower and one of the reasons for going back in April this year was to see how this had progressed.   I was really impressed to see that the villagers had taken overship of this project themselves after we had left last year and they decided to relocate the designated area for the water tower higher up in the hills in order to be able to get water to more houses in the village.  The project was completed by the villagers and they now have a very impressive water tower. To me this is what the Tijhza project is all about, empowering the villagers to take on such projects, however small, and enabling them to do the work themselves.  To see how proud Mohammed was while he showed us around the new water tower and knowing what it means for the village was just fantastic.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Andy is very passionate about this project and puts a huge amount of work into it, at the same time he makes this a very enjoyable trip.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Just go with the flow, be prepared to get stuck in and you will enjoy this trip.  Things may not always go to plan so be prepared for that.  Bring old clothes for wearing in the village as everything will get covered in red dust.  You can leave these clothes in the village when you leave. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Another highlight of the trip was the Riad Blenda.  We stayed there on the night we arrived in Marrakech and again for the last 2 nights of the trip. Wonderful hospitality, great food, comfortable rooms and has the added bonus of a swimming pool.  It was the perfect place to stay to round off the week, Exodus should definately use it for future trips.

   
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  Beverley Ann Phillips

  ATLAS PANORAMA - Volunteer Trip

  

  Written April 2008

  A great trip, it was great fun spending time with the kids. I thoroughly enjoyed the painting, our group were great to work with. I miss the serenity of Tijhza valley and can't wait to go back again. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Meeting Fatima after reading about her story on the website, seeing the children enjoying their new painted classrooms, learning the most popular playground games (no expensive gadgets required) and showing the children how to take pictures and showing them their work afterwards.

  Walking back to the gite with a child grasping on to each hand we met some of the local women who knew the girls so they greeted me too as a friend. You don't generally get to meet many Berber women (unless they teach) so this was really special.

  On our way out of the valley we looked over to one of the villages and could see the new school door gleaming brightly across the valley. When we arrived the classroom didn't even have a door.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Great leader - Andy cares a lot about the project and about the villagers, it's clear that the project is making a difference and that the villagers are keen to get involved.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  If you've always wanted to take a volunteer holiday this is a great project. Take plenty of batteries for your camera, if you are happy to let the children use it to take pictures the batteries quickly run out! Learn some basic french -nothing advanced is needed, and the odd Berber or Arabic phrase is really appreciated. You don't need to take many clothes as you will wear the same clothes every day in the valley!

  In general for visiting the gite, don't forget your flip flops. The showers downstairs are less busy so you don't need to queue. Take some golden syrup for the porridge for breakfast and don't expect fresh milk at any point. If you don't like mint tea then consider taking fruit teas or instant cappucino sachets. Pillows are now fine so just a pillowcase will do.

  Veggies - no problems finding veggie food in Morocco. Make sure you have something for the flight, despite confirming my veggie meals at check in Royal Air Maroc managed to forget on both trips...

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This really is a great project, the villagers are keen to help themselves too so it really is a joint effort. You really get to spend time with the locals, and I will learn some basic football rules so that I can join in the girls match next time.

  Even if you've never considered volunteer holidays before and fancy something different it really is worthwhile.

   
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  Peter Florence

  ATLAS PANORAMA - Volunteer Trip

  

  Written April 2008

  This was the special volunteer trip and my 5th visit to the gite. The interaction with the locals, some of whom have now become friends, is both humbling and uplifting.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  My fingertip save in the football match against the teachers which we won for the first time ever!

  Otherwise the experience of working closely within the commumity and the genuine warmth of the local people.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  My 9th Exodus trip with Andy! He is an excellent leader but, above all, passionate about Morocco and helping the community.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go to Morocco - you will love it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I was very disappointed that, after I had paid, I was notified of revised flight times which entailed departure on the return flight at the crack of dawn and a 5 hour wait in Cassablanca. Had I known beforehand I would have made my own flight arrangements and saved money in the process.

   

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