After the devastating earthquake of September 2023 in the Al Haouz region, Morocco, a plan for hope was envisioned.
The Moroccan Association for the Aid to Children in Precarious Situations (AMESIP) stepped into action and laid the foundation to create an ecological village. The vision; to provide a safe, benevolent living environment, in harmony with the urgent needs of the Amizmiz community.
Just 11 months later, on 1 August 2024, an ecological village, Douar Shems’y, opened its doors. Now it’s home to 144 orphaned children, offering them a safe haven, educational and psychosocial support, and a caring environment in which they can flourish.
This project is much more than a shelter: it embodies a holistic vision combining protection, education and sustainable development for the benefit of the most vulnerable children and families.
At the heart of the village is a beautiful school, supported by entrepreneur, Aviv Pode. The school is where adapted educational programmes, enriching cultural and sporting activities, as well as sustainable initiatives strengthen the links between people and their environment. Having an extensive background in humanitarian aid and not-for-profit organisations, Pode has supported humanitarian and environmental initiatives such as building public schools in developing countries, planting trees and rebuilding animal shelters. As well as being a humanitarian, environmentalist and educational entrepreneur, Pode is a founder of three eco-friendly bilingual Montessori pre-schools, in Paris, Geneva, and Monaco. Pode shares his insight into how the school within this unique village will care for, teach and prepare its students for a better future.
Why was it important for you to get involved in humanitarian work and this project in particular?
I served as a regional coordinator in ‘Latel’, a humanitarian organisation, conducting food collection and distribution campaigns, educational programs in schools, and operation of food warehouses.
After participating in a disaster relief mission following the 2003-2004 tsunami in SouthEast Asia, I was so affected by the experience that it led me to further volunteer and carry out humanitarian aid work all over the world. In partnership with Mission Enface, I built three schools in Laos serving 232 children and recently became an official partner and contributor to Save The Children, a global non-profit organisation to protect children in disaster and conflict areas.
After hearing about the devastation and loss for the children in Al Haouz region I felt compelled to support. As a person, who’s passionate about education, I understand the importance of providing a caring, nurturing and safe environment for children where teaching and learning is at the heart.
Can you tell us about some of your other eco-friendly initiatives?
I aspire to be a positive contributor to the planet and caring for the environment is one of my core values. With the devastating bushfires in Australia to the extreme drought in Central and North Africa, I wanted to contribute by planting over 5,000 trees in Australia and Africa in cooperation with One-Tree-Planted, providing clean drinking water and sanitation solutions to remote communities through Water For People and supporting climate change research through TogetherBand.
Within the schools that I founded, I have ensured that the furniture, toys, and learning materials are eco-friendly and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. In each school, there is an integrated eco-curriculum embedded in the daily program, exposing and involving our little learners in biodiversity, plastic pollution, wild-life preservation, and teaching the children about the importance of being positive contributors to their communities and the planet.
What is the vision for the school and the village?
The vision is to support the orphans in their reconstruction process and guide them to a bright future despite the challenges they have faced. We have a dedicated team of educators, cultural specialists and social workers who will be present to carefully ensure their development and overall development. Each child is considered a seed of hope for the future of the country, and AMESIP has made a pledge to accompany them throughout their journey.
How is the school providing a supportive and inspiring learning environment?
The school strives to inspire in every facet from individualised and adaptive learning to the actual physical learning environment. The foundation of the school is to ensure a safe and development-friendly environment for children by providing them with quality infrastructure, educational programs adapted to their level and vocational training opportunities for adolescents. The primary objective is to create a stimulating and inclusive educational environment for the children of the village, with an approach:
“Growing in well-being and dignity”
In order to achieve this goal we will focus on five main objectives:
- Rehabilitation and Education
- New digital technology
- Integral Psychological Support
- Mental Health Education
- Community Support
How will the physical environment support the children?
The architecture is very respectful of the natural environment of the region, so that children grow in symbiosis with their land. The design of the school comprises natural, eco-friendly furniture and materials. The rooms are without strong colours or other distractions to encourage optimal and uninterrupted learning.
The children also have access to a range of high-quality sports facilities and an educational vegetable garden; where children learn to grow seasonal vegetables while following food traceability for a healthy and responsible diet.
What makes the village ‘eco-friendly’?
Douar Shems’y is a model of eco-responsibility; respecting the environment and supporting sustainability. As well as the educational vegetable garden there are already a number of systems in place at Douar Shems’y that the children will learn about and be involved in, including a water treatment system which provides clean and accessible drinking water and a photovoltaic power plant that provides renewable energy to power the village.a
Is there a way that readers could support this project further?
Yes, if anyone would like to contribute to the sustainability of this unique project to ensure that Douar Shems’y continues to grow and offer a better life to its residents, there is a national fundraising campaign ‘kiwicollecte.ma’
Also, there are social media links that will keep you up to date with the campaign and news from the village:
Website: www.amesip.org
Facebook: Official Amesip
Instagram: shemsy_amesip
LinkedIn: amesip ong