Project Topic:
Maintenance of a Host Center of Youth and Sport
Partnership Agreement:
This project is the fruit of a partnership between CSM and the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
Aim of this project:
The aim of this project is to contribute to the improvement of the host center through the following activities: painting, cleaning and gardening.
More info about the project:
We decided to create this project because this host center clearly needs to be refreshed. The facilities’ structure in itself is in a good state but from the outside it looks almost abandoned. This community host center does not receive enough funding to invest in superficial renovations such as painting and building green spaces, even though it would radically changed the atmosphere for its residents. Our agreement is the following: with their subsidies they buy the materials and we provide the volunteers to spare them the cost of working labour.
Apart from every activity related to the renovation and brighten-up of the host center, the volunteers will have the opportunity to get in touch with locals and involve in other activities related with Moroccan habits and ay of life.
The general organization and responsibility of the work camp falls upon a camp leader who can also propose an animation program to the participants for their spare-times, such as visits of places of interest in the surrounding area, artistic or physic activities, etc. Of course the volunteers are free to do what they wish with their free time and suggest any other activity to the group.
Main Context of the Activity:
This work camp is designed to gather both national and international volunteers so that everyone will be able to appreciate the everyday life habits and culture of the others through practical and social involvement and learn from the intercultural exchange. By getting in touch with national volunteers and social workers in the center, the ones coming from abroad can actually get involved in the community, not only inside the center but also outside, when they finish work.
Larache is an important harbour town in the region of Tanger – Tetuan – Al Hoceima, in the North of Morocco. The climate can be described as Mediterranean although there is heavier rainfall. The summers are moderately hot and sunny - ideal for the city’s beaches - and the winters are wet and cool.
Larache has excellent road connections to other urban centres: Asilah is 33 km north, Tangier 80 km north, Kenitra 110 km south and Rabat 150 km south.
Larache has two centres: the old quarters and the Spanish town. It features many examples of interesting architecture, although much of it is poorly conserved, and it is not a huge tourist destination. Across the river you will find one of Morocco's finest beaches.
Larache lies close to the ruins of Lixus, a town first established as a Phoenician trading post, but which now mainly displays ruins of the Roman era.
Further information about the country will be attached in the National Profile form.
Volunteers Requirements:
• No previous working experience required although pedagogical skills would give extra quality to the project.
• Enthusiastic, positive and respectful people needed.
• Willingness to develop ties with other nationalities and learn new things, of course we encourage everyone to follow the pace they feel comfortable with.
Volunteers Duties:
• Five days of work per week and two days off, not necessarily on week ends depending on the work schedule.
• 4 hours of work per day in the morning or in the afternoon.
• Paint the center for basic maintenance even though we encourage them to express their creativity to bring life into it. The camp leaders will make a program to paint frescoes but the volunteers can also propose ideas.
• Clean the center while the children are on holidays.
•“Green activities”: Help creating green spaces, planting trees or shrubbery for example.
• Cook in teams with other volunteers, both national and international.
• The association will organize some extra activities such as animation with the kids in which the volunteers can take part.
Accommodation Details:
The volunteers will live in the youth center. Our agreement with the Ministry of Youth and Sport allows us to use the rooms for the volunteers to stay there. The place will be set up with mats and blankets although we highly recommended volunteers to bring their sleeping bags just in case.
Important highlights: Toilets in Morocco are usually Turkish bath style. We prefer to warn you because we learned from previous volunteers experiences.
There won’t be a normal shower in the youth center, only a hose they can use to clean themselves. Nevertheless, Larache is very hot in summer so the water comes out warm anyway.
International volunteers can also ask the national ones to show them the Hammam (public baths). Actually, you should try it once at least; it is indeed a very relaxing and enjoyable experience and has many virtues for the skin.
Arrival possibilities and Meeting point:
• If you arrive at Rabat Airport, you can easily take a taxi to Rabat Bus Station QAMRA or the special bus station CTM. It will take you less than 20min and it costs between 15 to 20 euros.
If you fly with RYANAIR there is a bus shuttle right in front of the airport exit, it leaves one hour after every flight arrival and drops you off near the train station of Rabat Ville. This bus costs 2 euros.
• If you arrive at Casablanca Airport you can easily catch a train to Casablanca Port Station and then take a small taxi to Casablanca bus station ( Ouled zian ) or to the special CTM bus station.
• If you arrive at Tanger Airport, you can easily take a taxi from the airport to Tanger bus station or the special bus station CTM.
Please remember you can only pay in the local currency (dirhams) so don’t forget to change money in the airport.
To reach Larache you have to take a bus anyway. Most companies don’t have a website but the most popular and efficient company is CTM: http://www.ctm.ma/
You do not need to book tickets in advance.
Once you have your flights details please pass them by e-mail to your CSM interlocutor so we can arrange the meeting point. We can also help you find the best connection to get to Larache if you need help.
The info sheet will be send to you by e-mail 3 weeks prior departure.