Moroccan Guide and Saharan Camp Staff Fundraiser
Donation protected
We've always believed travel can be a force for good, but with international travel put on hold by the coronavirus pandemic, the impact on local communities dependent on tourism has been devastating.
In the meantime, we've put our heads together and come up with a way to tackle an urgent need in the Moroccan tourism community – the welfare of the local Moroccan guides and Sahara desert camp staff.
The guides and camp staff rely almost completely on the income they receive from assisting visitors as they explore Morocco and share their boundless enthusiasm and expertise in this fascinating country. The salary and tips they receive help them feed their families, send their children to school, and help pay for any social service needed such as medical care. Without tourists, they have no income stream and as the guides often are not affiliated with any official organizations, they are not receiving support or salaries during this time. March and April are typically their busiest season but COVID 19 has abruptly cut off their means of support.
Wilderness Travel and our partners on the ground are organizing emergency financial relief to our amazing local guides, who lead our groups throughout Morocco and the hardworking Sahara desert camp crew who take such good care of our groups. We are hoping our past guests who visited Morocco will consider assisting us in these efforts. We’re asking for your help with donations to each of our camp staff and local guides. Our goal is to raise $6,000 USD.
At the end of July, Moroccans celebrate their most important religious festival, Aid-el-Kebir (the “big feast”) to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Often called the Moroccan Thanksgiving, it is a time for families to get together and share special meals, often including lamb with couscous, over the course of three days. Parents also buy new clothes for their children to wear during the celebration and beyond. The Aid expenses typically run about $200-$300 for a family of 4. Wilderness Travel hopes to raise enough money in time to help the camp crew and our local guides celebrate their Thanksgiving this year.
WT is not an NGO, nor do we have a non-profit arm, so these donations will not be tax-deductible.
In the meantime, we've put our heads together and come up with a way to tackle an urgent need in the Moroccan tourism community – the welfare of the local Moroccan guides and Sahara desert camp staff.
The guides and camp staff rely almost completely on the income they receive from assisting visitors as they explore Morocco and share their boundless enthusiasm and expertise in this fascinating country. The salary and tips they receive help them feed their families, send their children to school, and help pay for any social service needed such as medical care. Without tourists, they have no income stream and as the guides often are not affiliated with any official organizations, they are not receiving support or salaries during this time. March and April are typically their busiest season but COVID 19 has abruptly cut off their means of support.
Wilderness Travel and our partners on the ground are organizing emergency financial relief to our amazing local guides, who lead our groups throughout Morocco and the hardworking Sahara desert camp crew who take such good care of our groups. We are hoping our past guests who visited Morocco will consider assisting us in these efforts. We’re asking for your help with donations to each of our camp staff and local guides. Our goal is to raise $6,000 USD.
At the end of July, Moroccans celebrate their most important religious festival, Aid-el-Kebir (the “big feast”) to celebrate the end of Ramadan. Often called the Moroccan Thanksgiving, it is a time for families to get together and share special meals, often including lamb with couscous, over the course of three days. Parents also buy new clothes for their children to wear during the celebration and beyond. The Aid expenses typically run about $200-$300 for a family of 4. Wilderness Travel hopes to raise enough money in time to help the camp crew and our local guides celebrate their Thanksgiving this year.
WT is not an NGO, nor do we have a non-profit arm, so these donations will not be tax-deductible.
Organizer and beneficiary
Wilderness Travel
Organizer
Berkeley, CA
Scott Abbott
Beneficiary
