Goal Update #3: On Friday, September 15th, we made our first allocation of goods to 9 villages, 5 more than initially planned! This was made possible from the immense amount of support we have received - thank you. You can see the full process over on Instagram @moroccoexchange. After speaking with community leaders, we will plan for another delivery after a few weeks, once they know their needs. For this reason, we do not have a monetary goal, and will leave the fundraiser open for any additional donations to be made. We will be sharing a complete list of items purchased and donated, along with beneficiary information soon. Again, thank you for your continued support.
Goal Update #2: The amount of support we have received is inspiring, surpassing the new goal again in less than 24 hours has left us in awe. We simply cannot express our gratitude. As of Wednesday night, we have secured most items requested and are working on finalizing transport and authorizations to make the first delivery to Ouazguita by Friday. We will continue to fundraise for the community, knowing that this is just the beginning, and needs will change. After our first allocation of goods, we will reassess with community members and prepare for another delivery with any additional funds. Outside of any goal, as you can imagine, the needs are enormous, so the more people contribute the greater impact this will have.
On Friday, September 8th, 2023 at 11:11pm local time a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Morocco in the High Atlas Mountains, severely impacting rural communities. Particularly hit hard were small, Amazigh (Berber) communities who already lacked some of the most essential resources. While the Morocco Exchange community reported no fatalities and only structural damages, our partners in the region have been deeply affected. The rural community of Ouazguita who has hosted student groups with Morocco Exchange for years - who have opened their homes so generously to us as recently as in April and May 2023 - are seeing their neighbors in dire need. Just across the road, slightly up the mountain, their neighbors have suffered immense loss of life and material goods. In the surrounding communities alone hundreds of homes are in ruin, with many lives lost.
Morocco Exchange is a non-profit in Morocco focusing on educational and cultural exchange programs. As we are not an organization structured to distribute aid to respond to emergencies, and are a small non-profit organization, there is little we can do on a large scale. But what we can do is support those who we know personally, who we have shared meals with, have laughed with. We are fundraising to buy basic goods including food, sleeping pads, flashlights, clothes, undergarments, and menstrual products.
We’ll work with community leaders we have long relationships with to ensure every dollar of your donation reaches those most in need. 100% of your donation will go to close-knit communities surrounding Ouazguita / وزكيتة.
We will share updates - photos, videos, and stories of the process via Morocco Exchange's Instagram page @moroccoexchange.
You can find the exact location of the villages by entering وزكيتة into GoogleMaps.
Sarah Robyn, Associate Director of Morocco Exchange, is leading this fundraiser. Sarah began working with the organization over ten years ago after her two years in Morocco as a Peace Corps Volunteer. As Morocco Exchange is a Moroccan non-profit, not registered in the U.S., all funds will be transferred from her U.S. bank account directly into the organization's account in Morocco. As her contribution, she will cover any fees associated with international bank transfers and use of the GoFundMe site with personal funds.