Help Zaid with access to water to help his community

Sarah Thornber is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

I know there are a many of these go fund me pages and you may or may noy be interested but I urge you to read what I have to say and think about whether you think it’s a valuable place to donate money.

I recently drove deep into the Morrocan desert, close to the Algerian border, in a small village called Tacounite. I had responded to a volunteer position looking for people to teach English and help with building projects using clay. As I drive deeper and deeper into unknown territory I was struck by the rugged beauty but also the difficulty people have accessing simple resources like water and wood for cooking or warmth.

I was greeted by Zaid and was instantly enthralled by his presence and use of humour in the face of some extreme conditions.

Zaid took me to one of the small shops to buy my own water for the week. We then drove in his tuk tuk to his clay hut and farm about 10 km out of town.

Zaid is a proud Bedouin farmer who owns a small farm and grows enough vegetables for himself and a few people in the village. He teaches children from his village every day and it did not take long to see how much they appreciate and love him. The Bedouin children make their way to him, some in bare feet, to learn, laugh, and connect. As in many cultures they are raised by single mothers and Zaid provides a positive and influential male influence. He calls them “wild boys” but I found them to be incredibly respectful and sat intently listening to me babble in English. They range in age from 6-13.

Zaid is a proud man who loves his community. He did not share his struggles with me until I asked this giant hole was with a pile of river rock and a rope sticking out of the clay.

Zaid explained that 3 months ago there was a massive 100 year flood that he had never seen before. It took out his well that he had dug himself over 4 years and with the support of volunteers. As you can imagine, in the desert, he had to dig over 20 ft down to access the “ Sweet Water” as he calls it with a kiss of his hands .

The intense flood water buried his well as he hadn’t reinforced it in concrete as this is an expense that is unreachable for him. Without water he has to go on a full day trip waking at 3 am to the place to collect water with his horse and cart and fill jugs of water. This water he uses to drink, bath, feed his animals, water his crops, and make mud to build structures.

Zaid has two horses and two donkeys that were abandoned and sick when he found them. He does not use them in harsh ways as many others do. He explained how much they drink and how it’s expensive to feed them but the alternative is that he sells them to someone who will use them for hard labour and if they cannot continue will sell them as animal food for feed in zoos in the cities. I know this sounds unreal but I trust what he’s telling me to be true.

He did not ask me for help. He had approached the Moroccan government after the flood travelling by bus to the closest bigger village called Zagor. He brought all his paperwork as he is literate, well read, speaking multiple languages. He was told to wait. He waited then was told to come back tomorrow. The next day he was told to come back in 3 days. In three days he was told to come back next week…. Then next month and still he waits.

He contacted a company from Zagor that digs wells and lines then with concrete. This and the piping and solar panel to run the pump will cost him about 1000 US dollars.

I know!!! Not much for us.

But for Zaid who lives of mainly vegetables and fruit that he cooks traditionally in his “ Targeen” clay pot this seems grandiose.

If you can find it in your heart to spare any amount of money to help this gentle and genuine soul I promise it will go directly to good use. If you want to know how to volunteer with Zaid or have this experience for yourself please contact me. If you hate this platform also contact me