A group of women in a small village called Ait ben Haddou near Ourzazate, in the valley between the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas Mountains, had a dream in 2012 of taking charge of their lives by forming a woman’s association, which they called “Step by Step.” The original group was made up of 15 single and 1 married woman. Families of the women (and husband of the one who was married) were against the idea – it was against tradition – a woman’s place is in the home, she doesn’t need education….we’ve all heard those ideas before!
But they persevered. One of the women had a small property which she let them use. And so the group started sharing the skills they had – teaching others, for example, to make couscous, bake cookies, weave rugs…. And selling those items to local hotels and other food establishments. Many of the older women who came were illiterate, and so those who were literate held classes for them.
These women make up the board of directors of the Association.
This is a picture of Fatima, who is the President of the Association. She talked about the history of the association in Berber, and our tour leader interpreted for her. It was only later that we learned that she speaks very good English!
Another, younger woman, Houyara, explained that, when she finished school at 17, she was expected to stay at home, cook, clean, and ‘vegetate.’ When she told her father that she wanted to join the Association, he was vehemently against it. She was expected to stay at home like a dutiful daughter until she got married.
Talking to her father, she said, was like talking to a wall. So she handed the task over to her mother, who was finally able to convince her father that this would be a positive thing, and he grudgingly allowed her to do it. Houyara related this story to us in perfect English. When we asked where she learned English she said “at the Association.”
The Association has survived the resistance of the local tribes and families. One of things it has done is to be involved in supporting other issues as well – for example, a group of medical professionals came to the area, and the women organized meals and logistics for them. This gave them an important presence in the community, and they came to be respected. Men in the area soon realized that an association would benefit them as well, and formed their own.
There are now 40 members, 32 married and 8 single (shift from the make up of the original membership!) and the Association is flourishing. They produce many kilos of cookies and couscous each day. (Couscous is actually a pasta made of flour and water, and is very hard to make, we learned, from a demonstration, and so many local women prefer to buy it from the Association.)
And they have started a kindergarten for children of the women who want to take part but don’t have childcare at home. Here’s a picture of another of the members.
As you can see, the women work under really difficult conditions, but I can attest that they turn out really beautiful and delicious cookies.
One of the things that has helped the Association grow was a chance meeting with Grand Circle Foundation, a Foundation supported by Overseas Adventure Travel, the company which which I am traveling. A representative of the Foundation had heard of an association in the area, and came to make contact, thinking he would be meeting with the men’s association, but found instead that he was meeting with Fatima and her board members!
The Foundation is now supporting the Association. The Association convinced the local tribe to give it some land, and a two story building is going up with Foundation funds. It will have a proper kitchen, a coffee shop (great source for revenue) space for the kindergarten, classrooms, Association office, and meetings. Here are members of our travel group, standing outside the building. It was designed by a woman architect in consultation with the women, who called out exactly what features were needed.
That is certainly one realization of the dream that Fatima told us about. In addition, Houyara happily told us that her father is now extremely proud of her and talks to everyone about the accomplishments of the Association.
And Fatima, who recounted to us that she had twice dropped out of school earlier in her life, told us that she is now going to law school!
Realization of the dream, indeed.
Mary
Ourzazate, Morocco
9/29/19
Mary's Travel Blog 