Volunteering in Morocco Gains in Popularity

Participating in an international short term volunteer project ( so called Workcamp ) can be an exciting prospect. It is an interesting and meaningful way to travel with purpose and spend 2-3 weeks in a foreign environment. Working and living together with other volunteers from around the world provides an excellent opportunity to make many new friends, learn about unknown places and culture, gain new skills and experience. Your time, energy, and enthusiasm can make a difference in areas where help is really needed

One of the main volunteer organisations that has a good track record in Morocco is the Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects (CADIP).

CADIP is a non-profit Canadian organization. It has no religious or political affiliation. Through various charity, volunteer and youth initiatives, Cadip promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and international surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development.

Aims and general objectives

• To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution
• To support the community initiatives and assist in community development
• To strengthen the international contacts among volunteers
• To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings
• To promote multiunderstanding among volunteers all over the world
• To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills
• To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning

A good example of their work is the project to aid  the restoration of the historic heritage of Safi .

Safi is one of the oldest cities in Morocco. During the 15th century, Safi was an important trading port. The city was under Portuguese rule from 1488 to 1541. Amongst the Portuguese constructions from the Manueline period which still remain and stand out are the Cathedral of Safi, the Castle of the Sea and the Fortress of Safi.

This project is an opportunity for international volunteers to discover and contribute to the restoration of the historic heritage of Safi. The volunteers will take part in the renovation and restoration of historic sites and monuments in the city in order to preserve all its splendor and beauty. The volunteers' work will include cleaning and restoring historical remains. The volunteers will have meetings with local people who will share stories about the monuments revealing interesting facts about Morocco's history.

Location: Safi, situated directly by the Atlantic Ocean, is one of the most important harbors of the country. The oldest Mosque in Morocco, the national ceramic museum and the ancient medina are all worth a visit. Steep coasts and beaches near the city form a beautiful landscape. Volunteers can visit some nice towns nearby: El Jadida, Essaouira, Agadir.

Here is a list of other projects for 2014

LEISURE PROGRAM FOR LESS PRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN KENITRA
Kenitra April 11 - April 21, 2014
Kenitra July 16 - July 30, 2014
Kenitra August 1 - August 15, 2014

RENOVATION AND PAINTING A MURAL IN A SOCIAL HOME FOR GIRLS
Oued Zem April 11 - April 21, 2014

IMPROVING A CHILDREN'S CENTER AND ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS
Bouznika April 11 - April 21, 2014

RENOVATING AND ARRANGING A FLOWER GARDEN IN CASABLANCA
Casablanca April 11 - April 21, 2014

YOUTH HOUSE RENOVATION AND WORK WITH CHILDREN IN SALE
Sale April 11 - April 21, 2014

MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL IN RABAT
Rabat May 23 - May 31, 2014
Rabat October 18 - October 26, 2014

PAINTING AND CREATING MURALS IN A YOUTH CENTER IN CASABLANCA
Casablanca July 1 - July 15, 2014
Casablanca July 16 - July 30, 2014
Casablanca August 1 - August 15, 2014
Casablanca August 16 - August 30, 2014

IMPROVING PUBLIC SPACES IN SALE
Sale July 1 - July 15, 2014
Sale July 16 - July 30, 2014
Sale August 1 - August 15, 2014
Sale August 16 - August 30, 2014

CREATING A BRIGHTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN IN BENSLIMANE
Benslimane July 1 - July 15, 2014
Benslimane July 16 - July 30, 2014

RENOVATING AND DECORATING COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN RABAT
Rabat July 16 - July 30, 2014

HELP CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS IN MARRAKECH
Marrakech July 16 - July 30, 2014
Marrakech August 1 - August 15, 2014
Marrakech August 16 - August 30, 2014

IMPROVING A CHILDREN'S CENTER AND ORGANISING ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS
Bouznika August 1 - August 15, 2014
Bouznika August 16 - August 30, 2014

PRESERVING THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT AND INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS IN BOUKNADEL
Bouknadel August 1 - August 15, 2014
Bouknadel August 16 - August 30, 2014

RENOVATION AND UPKEEP OF THE CHILDREN'S CENTER IN AHFIR
Ahfir August 1 - August 15, 2014

RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE ANCIENT MEDINA OF FES
Fes August 1 - August 15, 2014
Fes August 16 - August 30, 2014

PAINTING A CENTER FOR POOR CHILDREN AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira August 1 - August 15, 2014
Essaouira August 16 - August 30, 2014

MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL RECREATION AREAS IN MOHAMMADIA
Mohammadia August 1 - August 15, 2014
Mohammadia August 16 - August 30, 2014

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN TIZNIT
Tiznit August 1 - August 15, 2014
Tiznit August 16 - August 30, 2014

HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN IN MIRLEFT
Mirleft August 1 - August 15, 2014
Mirleft August 16 - August 30, 2014

RESTORATION OF THE HISTORIC HERITAGE OF SAFI
Safi August 1 - August 15, 2014
Safi August 16 - August 30, 2014

CREATING BETTER SPORTS FACILITIES FOR CHILDREN IN AL HOUCEIMA
Al Houceima August 1 - August 15, 2014

RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE SITE OF EL JADIDA
El Jadida August 1 - August 15, 2014
El Jadida August 16 - August 30, 2014

YOUTH CENTER RENOVATION AND ORGANISING WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN
Temara August 1 - August 15, 2014
Temara August 16 - August 30, 2014

SCHOOL RENOVATION PROJECT IN MEKNES
Meknes August 1 - August 15, 2014
Meknes August 16 - August 30, 2014

PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS IN TIFLET
Tiflet August 1 - August 15, 2014
Tiflet August 16 - August 30, 2014

AWARENESS WORK AND BEACH CLEANUP IN THE BAY OF TANGIER
Tangier August 1 - August 15, 2014
Tangier August 16 - August 30, 2014

IMPROVING THE STUDY ENVIRONMENT AND LIVING CONDITIONS FOR ORPHANS IN NORTHERN MOROCCO
Larache August 1 - August 15, 2014
Larache August 16 - August 30, 2014

NEW YEAR IN THE DESERT
Zagora December 26, 2014 - January 2, 2015

To find out more about this and other volunteer opportunities in Morocco click here

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