Ten Thoughts on Volunteering | Helena Busia

I have been thinking about what was the most appropriate way to document my trip to Morocco. I began to write a post-trip travel diary, but then realised my intensely detailed style of rambling would not be apt to write about a three week trip. I could do it as a daily thing, but 19 days worth of ramblings?! I don't think so. 

So, I thought I'd give a little post on my experience volunteering.

A little context for you:

I left on the 24th of June, returned on the 10th July.

I volunteered with a company named Original Volunteers, sharing a Riad (Moroccan apartment) Bab Doukkala with other travellers.

Our work was mainly with kids, at youth projects, orphanages and schools.

Here's ten thoughts that popped to mind when thinking about the trip...

1. The People

I honestly had one of the best times of my entire life out there. This is largely due to the brilliant, hilarious and downright weird people I met. From drunken nights out, kidnapping a terrapin, and running around our neighbourhood looking for a toilet, I have honestly never laughed so much. Long live the Marrasesh. 

2. Kids are great

I am not naive enough to know that I changed any lives. However, when you make a child laugh, who you know lives a hard life, there is no better feeling. Cuddling little babies, trying to help them form attachments and receive some kind of love, if only fleetingly. (After studying A-Level Psychology, Attachment theory scared me for these kids!) Swimming with special needs children, seeing the pure joy on their faces- that was special. The only exception was the kid who ripped the head off of my doll when he couldn't have my phone. What a savage.

3. It was tough

I have no pictures of anything bad so enjoy this beauty.

Before you scoff, I am well aware that compared to a hefty stint in the plains of Kenya, Marrakech must seem tame. However, no matter where you go, there are going to be things that push you to your limits. There will be times where you say "I want to go home" and mean it. For me, the shower filling with sewage was enough to do it. This is all depending on the type of volunteering you will be doing, but seeing disabled babies tied to their beds, did make me a tad weepy. 

4. The world is not as free as it seems

I can't speak for all of Morocco, or even all of Marrakech, but in Bad Doukkala, the area we stayed in and came to know, I didn't appreciate how women were treated. Being white, and blonde, I was treated as a sex object, leered at and cat-called in the street, whereas Moroccan women in a Burka or Hijab seemed to bow their heads and just radiate an aura of subservience. Even at lunch in a youth project, the women prepared and served the food, and then sat separately to the men, which to me, was an unfathomable concept. It taught me just because you and your friends may be staunch Feminists, does not mean the rest of the world shares, or will ever share your views. I also didn't realise that in Morocco, Islam is law. This meant that when a friend's Moroccan fiancee (who isn't Muslim) ordered a drink in a bar, he suffered a tirade of abuse. 

5. The Food

It was highs and lows for the food. Tagine is great for a while- I learnt to make one at the Berber House which was fabulous- but can get boring after a while. Moroccans are obsessed with the Laughing Cow Cheese. You know, the cheese triangles? They're everywhere! Although they are very nice spread on these pancake type things, called Msemen. Honestly, the highlight were these chocolate milkshakes we had at this placed named Cafe L'Ancien.

6. Dirt

At the beginning, I felt like Blanche Du Bois, as I was showering nearly three times a day. But after a while, you accepted the fact you will always be sweaty, the soles of your feet will always be black, and your childhood monobrow will grow back...

7. Illness

Everyone, and oh I mean everyone, will get some form of illness. From constantly shitting, not shitting for days, to coughs, colds, and everything in-between, be prepared. You become beautifully open when discussing your bowel movements. I got the shits, and you will too. 

8. Money

How did I run out of money? Who knows. If Morocco has taught me anything, it is that I cannot budget to save my life. University is gonna be a breeze. *Sweats nervously*

9. Animals

There were a lot of unhappy looking animals in Marrakech. Although I did ride a camel, I felt a bit like I was helping to perpetuate animal cruelty. Moral dilemmas at their finest.

10. It was amazing

That's all there is to it.

Thanks for reading!

Helena

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