Volunteer in Morocco

An ancient crossroads of civilizations, Morocco will offer you a unique blend of cultures, stunning landscapes, and the opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work with a variety of programs. From the more modern and cosmopolitan cities like Rabat, to the storied traditions of Fes and the rugged beauty of Azrou in the Middle Atlas, there’s a place for everyone. While a background in French or Arabic is helpful, Americans will find that their native English skills can be a plus in many volunteer positions.

Health

Although the government provides some free and subsidized healthcare, rural communities often have limited access to medical treatment and trained providers. You can help by assisting doctors or nurses as they provide free check-ups and consultations as part of a medical caravan, or by working at an under-staffed community clinic.

Alternatively, there’s also a demand for health education. Teach basic nutrition and life skills at an elementary school to empower the children to care for their own bodies.

Gender Equality

Traditionally, Morocco has had firm gender roles, with men controlling public life and women running, and being largely confined to, the household. Although people’s conceptions are changing, there still exists a large gender divide in terms of education and earnings. Single mothers and divorcees in particular have trouble finding legitimate work outside the home.

You can volunteer with many community centers and women’s groups in a variety of roles. Teach vocational skills to enable them to earn their own income, or teach languages or basic literacy to help them gain more control over their lives. Other activities like exercise or art classes also promote personal growth and development.

Education

The Moroccan government also provides free education to its citizens, but some youth are unable to take advantage of it – many leave school to support their families, or because the distance and travel are prohibitively long. The failure rate amongst students is also high, and successfully obtaining a high school diploma requires mastery of numerous subjects including English and French.

Help by providing extra English lessons to support students. You can also lead the students in numerous extra-curricular activities (like journalism, leadership, and even social service projects) to enrich their educational experience and create more involved citizens.

Environmental Conservation

Disposal of trash and waste is a problem in Morocco, and many public spaces are littered with garbage. Volunteers can help with trash pick-ups, or teach the principles of conservation and recycling to youth.

Rabat is a safe bet because of its international community, and more people will speak English there. Fes, Meknes, and Marrakesh offer a more traditional experience, and many rural areas in the Middle Atlas and High Atlas have a clear need for volunteers as well.

  • Chefchaouen: A beautiful mountain get-away, known for its laidback and friendly atmosphere.
  • Marrakech: See the Djemaa Lfna, the square which is ‘Kech’s exhilarating cultural heart.
  • Merzouga: At the edge of the Sahara desert, you can navigate a camel into an ocean of sand. Camp there to see the crystal-clear stars at night, and the sunrise in the morning.
  • Essaouira: This blustery town on the Atlantic coast hosts the annual Gnaoua festival, drawing huge crowds and musicians from around the world.

The organization or group you volunteer with should be able to support you, and the community you work with will probably be more than happy to help you get settled. For any serious problems while in the country, you should consult the U.S. Embassy in Morocco.

Visas

US citizens do not need to obtain a tourist visa for stays of 90 days or less. If you are planning to stay longer than that, you’ll have to obtain a “Carte de Sejour” from the local police office, or from Gendarmes in rural areas.

How to Save Money While Volunteering: While life in Morocco isn’t expensive for locals, it can quickly become steep if you try to live an American lifestyle. Looking for the best way to save money? Live like a local! Find local alternatives to imported products like Doritos and Snickers. Alcohol and meat are both expensive, so occasionally try a plate of lentils or a salad instead. When you’re buying gifts to take home, try to find the original artisans rather than the more common middlemen – many cities have a state-run artisana for this purpose.

Volunteer Programs in Morocco

1 - 12 of 31 results

What People Are Saying

Affordable Low Cost Volunteer Opportunities in Africa

Before leaving for Uganda, I was told by many friends and family that I was about to have the 'experience of a lifetime'. Truth be told, I thought this was an extremely cheesy expression and I didn't...

Default avatar
Aileen J

Affordable Low Cost Volunteer Opportunities in Africa

At my volunteer internship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania my life was changed. I had one of the most eye opening experiences possible. Day-to-Day I worked under the doctors and nurses at the local...

Default avatar
Kim

Affordable Low Cost Volunteer Opportunities in Africa

I wanted to travel, experience, and learn about a developing country through the eyes of a volunteer. I wanted to travel somewhere and have an experience abroad that was meaningful. I didn’t want to...

Default avatar
Bernard

Related Volunteer Abroad Articles