Support Aroumd in the aftermath of Earthquake

This past week, I was lucky enough to travel to Morocco. Immediately I was welcomed at the airport by Youssef, a local tour guide. As he insisted on helping with my luggage, he let me know that from now on we were friends.

Throughout the week Youssef and the Moroccan people made my group and I feel as if we were family. We were invited into their homes, served endless cups of tea and prepared home cooked meals.

On Friday, September 8th at 11:11pm, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Morocco. Its epicenter was located in the High Atlas mountain range. This earthquake is the strongest to hit the nation’s center in more than a century. At least 2,600 people have been killed in the disaster and 2,500 have been injured.

While we all felt the quake, my travel group and I had travelled enough distance from the epicenter to be safe. In the hours that followed, Youssef and other locals continued to shower us with care and hospitality. As we waited for the 'all clear,' we stayed and eventually slept outside, we were given tea, blankets and mattresses and still served breakfast.

Just days prior to the earthquake, Youssef welcomed us into his home village, Aroumd. Aroumd is a small Amazigh village in the Ait Mizane Valley of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Its population is around 1,900. Youssef proudly invited us for tea and cakes in the home he shares with his family. We were able to met his father and small nieces and nephew. As we stayed locally, we then were welcomed into the home of a family celebrating a wedding, and were showered with kindness and hospitality, while experiencing the local culture of singing and unadulterated happiness.

This small village has been greatly impacted by the earthquake, many of those who live in there have lost their homes, and much of their livelihood. In this immediate time following the devastation, the local villagers are without power and electricity and must begin to rebuild their community while coming together to provide food and water for each other.

In an attempt to repay the infinite love I was shown in this country I ask for any amount of donations so that Youssef and his village can attempt to be rebuilt. These funds will be transferred directly to a community run bank account in Aroumd.

Youssef is keeping us updated as he is able, however service is limited in the area. So far he has purchased solar-charged batteries, food and water to share with his people, but this is just the beginning of what his village will need.