Exchange Volunteer Makhtar Seck and his counterpart Id Mansour Dahbi pitched this project. The community prioritized installing solar panels to power a modern water pump and a distribution system after discussing and evaluating the idea of restructuring the women’s cooperative. Ensuring access to potable water was considered essential for daily life and long-term development.

Pitched by Safa Hachimi & her counterpart Adil Nait Hammou, this project addresses serious environmental and health hazards caused by poor sewage systems. Contaminated fields and stagnant water had become breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects. The community, after consulting with associations, agreed that upgrading the wastewater system was vital for public health, agricultural productivity, and long-term sustainability.

Pitched by Mohammed Ed-dahbi, Abderrahim Ahaou, and their counterpart Youssef Ait Talat, this project was selected after discussing various ideas (e.g., prayer area, waste station, cemetery). Ultimately, road development was prioritized due to its critical role in ensuring safe transportation, especially during post-earthquake reconstruction. The poor road conditions were hindering construction, and the community committed to contributing labor, transport, and materials. The project will positively impact the health, education, and economic growth of the 422 residents of the village.

Pitched by Kaoutar Jamai Bouazzaoui and her counterpart Mohamed Ait Boumouguaine, this project responds to the loss of the village’s only olive press in the earthquake. It was chosen as the most urgent initiative after community discussions. The direct beneficiaries are 15 farmers and 10 youth who will gain job opportunities. Indirectly, all 77 residents and many others in the neighboring villages will benefit from reduced transportation costs and improved income. A newly forming women’s food cooperative (20 women) will also benefit from a discounted oil price, boosting their income and market participation.

Volunteer Souad El Maleh and her counterpart Abdelghani Ait Bella showcased this initiative. The project aims to convert surplus goat milk into an economic opportunity to enhance food security and create job opportunities for women and youth. The community chose to establish a cheese production unit after a series of meetings involving men, women, and children, using tools like community mapping and seasonal calendars. Other ideas, such as building an olive press or a multi-purpose hall, were considered. However, the cheese project was deemed the most realistic and sustainable due to existing resources (animal feed, unified sheepfold) and the prominence of goat farming in the area. With a total budget of $25,000, the project aims to create seven jobs for women and five for men. Thirty-three farmers, along with many others in the area, will benefit from this project. Several NGOs and the Ministry of Agriculture are supporting its funding.