This and That...

Abdullah (Rabha's brother) & Me

Hello again! 

A few updates for you...

I will start with the bad news...I'm sad to report that on Monday night a 23 year-old boy from Tounfite, hung himself from a tree. I was on my morning walk and upon return I saw a large crowd gathered outside of a house, just a few alley's over from mine. I knew someone had died as large crowds outside a home always mean that someone has passed away. Later that day, Emma and I went for tea at Mamaksu's and that's when I found out the details.

Although extremely sad, it was interesting to hear from various people how they felt about the incident. Normally when someone dies everyone goes around calling them meskin(a), which means 'poor thing'. On this occasion hshuma was the most commonly used word in all conversations. Hshuma means 'shameful'. Everyone pretty much said had the same thing to say..."Ingayi ixfinus, Rrbbie ur eijbi lhal, hshuma bzzaf, meskin lwalidinus." Which means, "His head was sick, Allah does not like the situation, so shameful, and his poor parents." Everyone also made it very clear that he would not be going to heaven.

I found the whole thing to be very upsetting. The boy obviously had mental health issues and if there was the proper help for that here in Morocco, maybe his death could have been prevented.

Onto more cheery things...

Tounfite's Box Office Debut 2012: Road Construction
They are laying new piping under the one and only road here in town. It is by far the most amusing situation...literally every shop owner has put plastic tables and chairs outside their shop making the entire sidewalk through town a conglomerate of temporary cafes. This has been done so that any and everyone has a spot to sit and watch the construction take place. Seriously, I can't not smile when I go to the shop and the sidewalks are packed with people just sipping away at their tea, watching the road get torn up, like it is the number one movie premier of 2012.

American International Women's Association of Rabat
Rabha and I attended a 'Holiday Fair' in Rabat on December 10th, 2011. It was not a Peace Corps sponsored craft fair, but it was put on by the American International Women's Association of Rabat (AIWA). The timing was perfect as it was just before Christmas and it was held on the campus of the American School in Rabat. This was ideal as almost all the visitors were citizens of the United States, as most were family members of the children who attend school there.

Unfortunately, we only sold three carpets which didn't really make it worthwhile. Once again our main consumers were Peace Corps related. Our Country Director, Peggy McClure and the Head Peace Corps Doctor for Africa, both purchased a carpet. The final sale, which was also our only non-Peace Corps sale was to non other than Santa Claus himself. Rabha enjoyed meeting Santa for the first time ever and I enjoyed explaining to her exactly why this crazy man was all dressed in red.

Rabha was not disappointed with the sales outcome of the fair, as she not only got to meet and have her picture taken with Santa, but also with Peggy, the Country Director and Sam Kaplan the United States Ambassador to Morocco and his wife.

Rabha and Peggy McClure (Country Director)

The sun was in our eyes all day...

Rabha with Sam Kaplan and his wife (US Ambassador)

Exploring with Rabha & Emma
Emma and I recently made the trek to Rabha's parents house for lunch. After a delicious lunch, we went out into the mountains to do some exploring with Rabha. We hiked for about an hour until we came to a large cave which had both stalagmites and stalactites forming in it. Rabha let me know that David and Kristen (Tounfite volunteers two generations before me) used to camp in the cave, but that she was too scared to join them. Across from the cave, was an enormous natural bridge. I didn't have the right shoes to get all the way up to it, but I made it as far as I could and had my picture taken.

Rabha has now shown me a waterfall, gorge, cave and natural bridge all within an hour from her parent's house. Clever lady that she is, there has been a ulterior motive behind showing me all these amazing sights...she wants me to help her get funding for a small riad, which would be built near her parent's house on the family land. I love her enthusiasm and creative thinking. With all the natural beauty surrounding the area she is sure that tourists would love to come stay in a cosy riad and have a local guide (the Cooperative's secretary's husband) tour them through the mountains during the day, returning back in the evening to a traditional meal prepared by the women of the Cooperative. I really can't tell you how fantastic it is to have a counterpart with such strong ambition.

Cave on the Left--Natural Bridge on the Right

Natural Bridge

View from the Cave

Rabha looking out of the cave

Upcoming Events

Mushmina
Rabha and I are headed to Khenifra next Sunday to meet with the owner of US company, Mushmina. When I sent the e-mail out to companies currently importing Moroccan products, Heather the owner of Mushmina, showed interest in the natural dyes that we create. She let me know that carpets weren't of any interest to her and asked if I thought the women could make naturally dyed pillows. I met with the women of the cooperative and they said the pillows were something they could and would like to make.

Heather is currently traveling around Morocco, buying new merchandise for her store and so we will be taking some samples to her when she is in Khenifra. Fingers crossed all goes well.

March Maroc Marrakech
The next Peace Corps sponsored craft fair which Rabha and I will be attending, will take place January 27-29th in Marrakech.  I'm looking forward to seeing all the other volunteers and their cooperatives products as it has been six months since the last Marche Maroc which was in Essaouira.

'Project Occupy the Caid's Office'
Tomorrow is the big day so keep your fingers crossed for us!

Until next time,

Miriam x