The Spirit of Morocco

The following is a guest post from AUA Mosaic Scholarship recipient Shibrika Pansy who recently returned from volunteering with Cross-Cultural Solutions in Morocco. To find an amazing opportunity like this one, search the AUA Directory of Recommended Organizations© today!

Volunteering in Rabat, Morocco for three weeks seemed like plenty of time for me to accomplish my goals. However, when I reached my final weekend in this beautiful country, I wished for more time. Just as my journey had begun some time ago, I knew it would have to end. According to the itinerary I loosely prepared, I was scheduled to visit Merzouga, Morocco with another Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer to learn about the Berber culture. After ten hours of travel using several forms of transportation, we arrived in this tiny Saharan oasis.  At our hotel, we would have just enough time to eat breakfast, shower, and mildly explore this unfamiliar location before we would travel by camel to campgrounds in the Sahara Desert.

Merzouga was simple, yet absolutely stunning due to its position at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes. And through intense conversations with our tour guide and the hotel owner about the history and the indigenous people of this region, I departed Merzouga with a wealth of knowledge and fond memories. The hotel owner recommended that we participate in a Gnawa musical performance. Personally, I feel this was one of my favorite activities because music has always held a special place in my heart. Through the use of music, people are able to find a common bond where differences aren’t as important as similarities. Gnawa music is a prayer and a celebration of life that combines music with acrobatic dance.  I discovered that many of the musicians were singing songs about the adversities they had faced. Through all of the pain and suffering, they managed to keep enough fortitude to maintain a positive attitude about life. And as they performed their happiness was like a disease that anyone present was sure to catch.

In Morocco, I definitely learned that time does pass quickly when one is having a wonderful time. During my last week in this Muslim majority country, I was able to reflect on numerous things I had witnessed. Particularly, the role women played in society. I spoke with several men about current issues in Morocco, and I received a lot of useful information. When I mentioned women’s rights, most Moroccan men answered the question I felt only halfheartedly. I think they thought I was referring to human rights, which deals with the issue partially.  So I found myself repeatedly asking the question of  “how are women treated in Morocco?” Answers would come, but not as quickly as I anticipated.

Several women at the East/West Foundation where I was teaching English asked me to lunch at a restaurant near the Atlantic Ocean one afternoon.  Immediately, I agreed because I wanted to discuss a few things about Moroccan culture with these women. Throughout my time at the East/West Foundation, I was able to develop a solid relationship with these women, so I felt comfortable asking questions and receiving feedback.  We had a very informative, positive conversation that lasted about four hours in a very intimate setting. At last, I received the chance to discuss the status of women in Morocco with Moroccan women.  Although, women were viewed mainly as domestic servants, things were changing gradually due to the new “fatwa” or laws designed by the King of Morocco.  Women were given the opportunity to educate themselves and seek employment outside of the home in demanding fields such as medicine and law. The women seemed very joyful when we spoke about women’s rights because progress was visible.  Due to the new laws, Moroccan women have become more knowledgeable and they have developed a wider range of skills.

While volunteering in Morocco, I wanted to engage in as many activities as I could in an attempt to understand the Muslim world.  Several of the women I encountered encouraged me to visit the “hammam”.  The hammam is a cleansing process Muslims are required to complete weekly in order to please Allah.  Women and men have different times when they can enter the hammam. An individual enters several rooms filled with showers and allows someone to scrub his or her body with black soap and a mitten.  The temperature of each of the rooms is different ranging from hot to cold.  There are approximately twenty people of the same gender in one room.  Visiting the hammam was definitely a great experience for me because it forced me to get comfortable with my body around other women, and it strengthened my mind by removing negative thoughts. The main purpose of the hammam is to allow one to form a greater connection with God.  The Muslim women at the hammam were so focused on increasing their spiritual link to their creator, until they forgot about the size, shape, and color of the bodies of the women around them.

WhenI left America to travel to Rabat, Morocco, I did not have a set agenda. The only thing I was certain I would participate in was volunteer work at a placement set up for me through Cross-Cultural Solutions. Not adhering to such a strict schedule as I often do in Dallas, Texas allowed me to be fully present and soak information up like a sponge in Morocco. I was able to achieve a state of blissfulness I have never felt before, and it is all due to a visit to a country in North Africa.

Building Peace by Building Homes: A Jordanian Adventure

Gideon Culman is AUA’s Program Officer and is currently leading the 2012 Building Peace by Building Homes trip in Jordan.  Below is Gideon’s post about his thoughts on embarking on this exciting adventure. To find an amazing volunteer opportunity, search the AUA Directory of Recommended Organizations© today!

I’m one of America’s Unofficial Ambassadors. Today I’m traveling to Jordan to lead the Building Peace by Building Homes trip. What has me step up to be an unofficial ambassador is my taste for adventure—my eagerness to see up close how people around the world live, the joy I derive from just being myself in new settings, and my commitment to putting America’s best foot forward by being of service.

I acquired this taste for adventure tagging along with my Mom as she launched a global career as an artist. By the time I was ten, I had visited countries in Africa, Europe, South America and Asia. Highlights of my early unofficial ambassadorial career include attending public school in Germany for a decade and a blind-faith move in my mid-twenties to the heavily Muslim Western Chinese megalopolis of Lanzhou to learn Mandarin from scratch.

The Building Peace by Building Homes trip is way more than just an adventure. Seven unofficial ambassadors, each representing a different facet of American life, are coming together as an expression of our joint commitment to build people-to-people partnerships with the Muslim World. We are all first-time visitors to Jordan. We will help build a house for a disadvantaged family in the ancient city of Salt. We will meet with Jordanian students and members of Jordanian civil society, we will experience city life and village life, and we will visit the Dead Sea and the caravan trade hub of Petra.

Even before the Building Peace by Building Homes team sets foot on Jordanian soil, our trip is causing stereotypes to unravel. Earlier this month, the team held a webinar with students from the King’s Academy boarding school outside Amman. Fully expecting a homogenous student body, I was astonished that the high school students I saw live on my computer screen appeared at first glance more heterogeneous than my own remarkably diverse team. Can’t wait to see what surprises the rest of the trip holds in store!

My First Impression of Morocco and the Muslim World

The following is a guest post from AUA Mosaic Scholarship recipient Shibrika Pansy who recently returned from volunteering with Cross-Cultural Solutions in Morocco. To find an amazing opportunity like this one, search the AUA Directory of Recommended Organizations© today!

Destination: Rabat, Morocco

As I boarded an airplane heading over the Atlantic Ocean to Rabat, Morocco for three weeks, I became overwhelmed with emotions.  I felt sad enough to cry, and happy enough to dance as I embarked on my first international adventure.  I set high expectations for myself because I was given the opportunity to make a huge impact on Moroccans and many Americans.  Arthur Ash once said that in order for change to occur a person has to be willing to “start where they are, do what they can, and use what they have”.  That is exactly what I set out to do while volunteering in North Africa.  Language barriers nor limited resources could keep me from being successful as America’s Unofficial Ambassador.

The Abundance of Cultural and Natural Diversity in North Africa

There are so many things to do, and so little time.  I have been going non-stop since my arrival in Rabat, Morocco.  There are many places, things, and people I must see before I depart from this wonderful country.  Initially, I thought the people living in a Muslim country would not be receptive to American citizens and their lifestyles.  The generalizations made by the media in America about Muslims seem very different from the behavior of Muslims I observed while visiting Morocco.  People in America often depict Muslims as being mean-spirited, aggressive, and short-tempered.  However, while interacting with various individuals at my volunteer placement throughout the week or when I traveled to different cities in Morocco on the weekend my experiences were pleasant.  For example, I discovered that Moroccans were very helpful about pointing me in the right direction when I was lost in Fes and sharing food with everyone around.  In Morocco, no one is a stranger and people judge each other by the good deeds they complete in their communities.  Nursing homes found so abundantly in America, are non-existent in Morocco because children are expected to care for their aging parents.  And when Moroccans encounter elderly individuals that have been abandoned by their families, it is common to give these battered souls money.  The level of generosity, patience, and resilience displayed by these people should be valued by everyone worldwide.

From time to time, I pinch myself just to be certain that I am not asleep. Things seem to be in sync, and the people, animals, and plants know their purpose here in Morocco.  The vast livings standards of Americans in comparison to Moroccans is obvious.  The local people make use of all of their natural resources, from the oranges found on the orange trees to the wheat that grows in the wheat fields.  And although my life in America is different from the agrarian society in Morocco that relies on a bartering system to remain active, I have found that the people are all similar.  We laugh, we cry, we eat, we drink, and we sleep.  I know for certain that some things are universal among all human beings whether I am in Morocco or America.  It is the connection that ties all people together that I am on a quest to capture during my stay here in Morocco.

Volunteer Placements: The Ibny School and the East/West Foundation

The duties I have been given at the Ibny School and the East/West Foundation through Cross-Cultural Solutions are rewarding.  The placements are quite different from each other, but my mission to learn from and assist the less fortunate people of Rabat is the same at each location.

The Ibny School was designed to provide street children living in the local neighborhood with a structured, positive environment that promotes education.  My role while volunteering at the Ibny School was to organize activities such as games, songs, and arts and crafts for the 3-5 year old kids.  Also, I served as a role model and I provided the children with individual attention through encouraging and praising the children, while enforcing rules of good behavior.  The children were active and excited to see my face each day I entered the classroom.  The teachers were just as thrilled to have my help as the children were at the Ibny School.  I was able to practice speaking Arabic with both the teachers and the children, while they increased their English speaking abilities by conversing with me daily.

The East/West Foundation was developed by several individuals from France.  The goal of the organization is to provide refugees from sub-Saharan Africa with the knowledge and the skills they need to gain employment in North Africa or Europe.  Teaching English to adults at the East/West Foundation is challenging because the communication barrier is enormous.  But, through all of the struggles I am forming a bond with the students that is important to me.  I stay up late at night preparing English lessons for my students just to see the smile on their faces when they get something correct on their English vocabulary worksheets.

Final Remarks about Rabat, Morocco

My first impression of the history and the culture of Moroccans while volunteering in Morocco was different from the information I received through television shows, newspaper articles, and websites as an American citizen living in Dallas, Texas.  It is definitely true that a book should never be judged by its cover.  Morocco has exceeded my expectations tremendously, and I am more gracious as a result of the things I was fortunate enough to witness while on travel in this North African country.  In Morocco, things tend to have a quiet, stillness about them and it is this sense of peacefulness I hope to carry with me and share with Americans.

Exchanging Traditions: Halloween in Nablus

The following is a guest post from Jamila Hanani, a long-time volunteer at Tomorrow’s Youth Organization in Nablus and a member of TYO’s  Youth Leadership Committee.  She is a rising senior at An Najah National University where she studies English Language and Literature.

I have been volunteering at TYO since 2010. As a translator in art, music, creative thinking and sports classes, I’ve been working with young Americans in a non-formal education setting for two years. Being a volunteer was a huge step for me because my family thought voluntary work was useless.  Although I go to An-Najah University in Nablus, I live with my family in Beit Furik, 15 minutes outside of the city, and convincing my family that spending additional time in Nablus to volunteer was difficult for them because of their belief system. But once they learned more about the work TYO does, and saw how happy I was, they understood why I wanted to spend my free time there.

As an English Language and Literature major at An-Najah University, I always yearned for opportunities to put my English skills to use. I’ll admit – working with native English-speaking Americans at TYO was very much a selling point for me. Nablus rarely sees foreigners; especially English-speaking ones so volunteering at TYO gave me a special opportunity to meet Americans my age. Since working alongside Americans in the classroom, I have learned so much about American culture, norms and lifestyle.

My first session at TYO, I learned about Halloween – a beloved American holiday – with Ashwini an intern from the fall 2010 intern class. Together, the volunteers and students made frightening masks and dressed up as scary creatures in celebration with the TYO staff. It was an eye-opening experience for everyone involved as we have no similar holiday here in Nablus. Working with Americans has enriched my knowledge about westerners, improved my language, expanded on my vocabulary and gave me chance to learn about myself.

In sharing Halloween with the students and myself, we shared some traditional Palestinian holidays with Ashwini and the other interns. Americans are always interested in knowing more about Ramadan and Eid and how they are celebrated in Nablus versus elsewhere in the Arab world. Frequently, interns even get to partake in the festivities with us. They’re often invited to weddings, parties, and festivals where they get to better understand Palestinian culture. And once they prepare to leave Nablus, the Americans can go home and share their experiences with others.

With each new intern who comes to Palestine, they come with a certain expectation. Americans always joke with me that they thought life in Nablus would be more stressful for them – that they’d constantly see signs of war, violence and fighting. Some interns even expect to find a more desert-like landscape with camels at every street corner. But once they come, they quickly realize that Nablus isn’t really any of that. It’s a city of simplicity, kindness, smiles and hospitality.

It is important to have American volunteers in Nablus. We need to bridge the gap here between Americans and ourselves. We need to clear up all and any misconceptions of one another and understand our similarities and differences. The presence of American volunteers – who have traveled a long way from home to help our children – encourages Palestinians to start volunteering themselves to help their own people. Volunteerism is important for Palestine. Volunteerism can strengthen our country. Empowering our youth to volunteer can help equip them with necessary life skills including professional conduct, leadership, and public speaking.

I am convinced that voluntary work is important for my community and for myself. As a female living in a conservative society, I faced a lot of criticism and judgment from people telling me that my voluntary work will get me nowhere. But I have already proved them wrong. Because of my dedication to my voluntary work, I was invited to Washington, DC to represent TYO at Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U). There, I learned even more than I ever thought possible about American life – volunteerism was everywhere I looked. I saw it at CGI U, I saw it at various organizations and I even saw it on the streets of DC.

I encourage all Americans to come spend time in Nablus. There’s a lot to learn here and the Nabulsis want to learn a lot from Americans. The American presence at TYO encourages young Palestinians to inquire about this organization and to get involved. Americans – please bring your passion to volunteer to Nablus where you can directly encourage a culture of volunteerism amongst Palestinian youth. Because of my volunteerism, I am more qualified and skilled than ever before. My relationship with my father has strengthened – now he sees me as a role model for my siblings. And now after my trip to Washington, more than ever before, I felt called to take action and to encourage others to take charge in their community. Real change can begin with us. I hope to continue spreading my message, inviting people to become active citizens and using myself as an example as to how volunteering can change your life.

The Culture of Giving Back

The following is a guest post by Mohammad Abulkibash, a long-time volunteer at Tomorrow’s Youth Organization in Nablus and a member of TYO’s  Youth Leadership Committee.  He recently graduated from An Najah National University where he studied English Language and Literature.

I have been volunteering with TYO since 2010 as a translator for American interns in drama, IT, Big Brother, photography and sports classes. It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite class I participated in because I think every class has added something to both my personality and skills set. But if I absolutely had to choose, I would say Big Brother was my favorite class thus far. Working alongside Colin – an American intern – gave me the chance to learn more about the boys in my class – how they think and who they are. The most rewarding part of the class was the strong connection Colin and I made with the boys. So much so that they came to us for advice and sought our help on things outside of the classroom.

When Americans come to Nablus, they come to represent their country and their culture. Throughout my volunteer work with TYO, I met many warm, friendly, and inspiring Americans. But what I appreciate the most is that the interns leave their homes behind to come devote their time to help my community. Before even meeting and knowing these interns, I was inspired by what drove them all here, and although they all had their various stories that led them to Nablus, it’s the American culture of giving back that ultimately brought them here. Each session, once I get to know the interns, I try and change their image of Palestine and the Middle East – that we’re hospitable and kind. But I also hope to teach them about Nabulsi culture – and about what’s considered acceptable and unacceptable.

Having American volunteers in a city like Nablus is very important because Nablus is such a small city – without many foreigners – and with many problems – especially in the refugee camps. One main benefit of having Americans here is engaging in cultural exchange. They get to see the problems we face first-hand and we get to learn about Americans and their ideals. As a Palestinian, we enjoy sharing our stories and introducing other people to our city on a wider scope. When it comes to opening up to others, I have found Americans to be so open-minded, easygoing, and less restricted in terms of norms and traditions. Palestinians tend to be more conservative and stick to their traditions firmly as a way to hold on to their heritage.

With every session comes a new group of Americans and new chances to learn about cultures, but this spring I had the opportunity to experience a unique cultural exchange. This time, I was getting to visit America. And I couldn’t imagine a better city than Washington DC – the melting pot of all cultures – to speak for Palestine and to educate others about my commitment to my community in Nablus. In Washington, I had the honor of attending CGI U as a representative of TYO and of Palestine. My first conference of this scale, CGI U 2012 brought hundreds of inspired and inspiring students from all over the world to discuss their vision towards improving their communities. And I was one of them.

Toward the end of my week in the US, all I could think about was going home to see my friends and all that I would tell them about my experience. By sharing everything I saw and did in Washington, my experience in America wouldn’t just end at the airport. I felt at that moment the responsibility I had to the people of Nablus – to my family and friends who have never had the opportunity to leave Palestine – to tell them about the changes we need to make in our community. The youth of Nablus need to realize their potential to influence others positively through volunteerism. Our role in society isn’t just to go to university and study theory without practice – it’s to make a difference.

Palestine is a country that needs the support of volunteers the most. Considering its critical situation, voluntary work is needed to make sustainable change quickly. Volunteering in Palestine is a way of helping a community overcome difficulties and to raise a generation of youth who care about their futures and are willing to live. Palestinian youth lack motivation. For a person to start volunteering, they need to be motivated to do so. As a volunteer in my community, I am always encouraging my peers give back to Nablus as it is not just beneficial for the community but also for the volunteer. But young people here need to understand that volunteering in Palestine means making change.

If you could ask Palestine what it needs the most, it would say “my youth.” As a son of Palestine, I responded to this call. To plant a smile on the children’s faces and to help grow my community to become successful. Volunteering is a duty and I do it because a voice inside tells me I need to. I must give back to Palestine what it has given to me. It’s a challenge that starts from within and spreads outwards to others. We still have a long way to go, but with the help of American volunteers who come to Nablus, I’m confident that we can make a real chance in my city.