Hi everyone. Robert and I, along with our friends Mark and Mandi travelled to Morocco last year at the end of April. While we were there, we had the pleasure of visiting the Atlas Mountains and spending a day exploring the area with our tour guide Mohamed.
He lives in the small Berber village of Imlil, which we visited, to include his home where we had tea and enjoyed the amazing views of the mountains.
Unfortunately, Imlil is very close to the epicenter of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Morocco on Friday and it is completely devastated. The reports coming out of there and the surrounding villages, estimate that most of the 2,000 people feared dead are from these villages, including Imlil.
Robert and I stayed in touch with Mohamed since returning to the U.S. and communicate monthly via WhatsApp, using Google Translate. Mostly, we exchange communications about him guiding us during future visits to the country. We were considering going back next year as there is much more we want to explore there. We also exchange pleasantries during Islamic and Christian holidays. We exchanged lots of cheery messages during the World Cup last November as Morocco moved up in the tournament.
The last I heard from Mohamed was this past August 18th when he messaged me and was saying hello to us. Then, I heard from him this morning when he replied to the message we sent him early Saturday after hearing about the earthquake. We are very relieved to know he is alive although we are not clear on the status of his family.
When we asked how we could help he replied with "Sister, we are hungry and we are cold. We are suffering". He explained that reaching Imlil is very difficult right now and they are sleeping outside as their dwellings all collapsed. He has internet off and on, but they have no electricity. Mind you that when we were there, we learned it is around a 30-minute hike uphill to Imlil from the main town (Taddart).
We have stayed in touch with Mohamed all day today and there is no possible way for us to get him food or clothing right now, but we offered to send him some money to help him, his family and community, with immediate needs. He did not ask us for money, but he certainly is extremely appreciative of any financial assistance they can get.
We are setting out to collect $1000 to send him. ALL the money collected will be sent directly to him via Western Union. That will be the fastest an easiest way for him to get money as he will make it to Taddart and collect it. Mind you that GoFundMe will keep 2.9% of each donation. You may Venmo me @Mrsswanny or, if you want to Western Union him directly, please reach out to me and I will give you his info. Robert and I are sending funds in the morning, to help immediately, but then I will wait several days to make a second deposit so that he does not have to make the trek back and forth into Tuddart, more than it is necessary.
The pictures are of us at Imlil and surrounding areas in the Atlas Mountains last year and the other images (above) are of what Imlil looks like today; Mohamed sent me the pictures and videos this morning.
On his and his community's behalf, I thank you and please know that every bit of money will help them tremendously.
Thank you.
Organizer
Eliana Swanson
Organizer
Clearwater, FL