Placement Overview

Here in Marrakesh you will be submersed in a culture of souks, acrobats, drummers, pipe musicians, comedians and set against the superb film-set like backdrop of the outstanding peaks of the Atlas mountains.

Your Experience

Here you will be placed in one or more of the following: orphanages, small children's homes, baby homes, street kids projects to educational projects in rural communities and summer sport camps in and around Marrakesh. You may find yourself teaching basic English, playing with children, supervising homework, organising art/craft activities and playing sport and other games. A volunteer schedule is organised for the volunteer group according to the demands of local projects and group preferences at the time of your visit. So come open minded with lots of flexibility as volunteer opportunities  can at times change dramatically from one week to the next  as new opportunities arise .From weekends at remote little visited Berber villages to organise sport activities to mountain camping trips with the local Scout association, swimming sessions with underprivileged children to helping prepare meals at soup kitchens.

No experience is required just lots of energy, smiles and enthusiasm to bring a fun hour or two to the children.

Also available: painting volunteering opportunities also available in place of playwork/sport/teaching*.

More info...

Requirements: No experience is needed for this placement just the willing to get stuck in with the children!.  Meals: Eat out for £5 at a roof top restaurant in the main square.  Availability: All year around. Start dates: No start dates. Volunteers can arrive at anytime, any day of the week. Spending money: £30-£50 per week to cover meals/drinks. Allow £15-£20 per week extra to cover transport if you are working outside of Marrakesh. *For volunteers choosing the painting option an extra £50 will be needed to cover the cost of basic  painting materials.  Getting there: Easyjet or Ryanair fly to Marrakesh. Return flights available from £60 return. Via Spain: Flight to Malaga in Spain (from £60 rtn with Easyjet), followed by ferry (approx. £30 rtn) to Tangiers in Morocco followed by overnight train direct to Marrakesh (from £22). Train from London great if you want to stopover in Paris and Madrid on the way. Expect to pay approx . £400 rtn for a three day journey to Marrakesh (excluding stopovers).

Travelling alone?

Closer to your date of departure, when we normally have flight details of everyone else about to go, we can put you in touch with other solo volunteers. Just call us nearer your date of departure! If they live close you might even be able to meet up and chat over a coffee so they'll be a familiar face when you arrive.

What's included in this programme

Pick-up from Marrakesh airport automatically arranged for £10
Volunteer accommodation in Marrakesh
Local coordinator to help with placement organisation

This project is ideal if ...

I would like to experience the local culture and way of life.
I do not have any experience of volunteering overseas but would like to try Morocco before heading further afield at a later date.
I consider myself a flexible person who can adapt quickly and ‘go with the flow' of a North African pace of life.
I would like a placement where I can take out time out when not busy to explore the souks, the kasbahs and perhaps a weekend visit into the Sahara.
I have been to Morocco before but never had an opportunity to get up close to local people.

Morocco at a glance

The almost medieval-like hustle and bustle of Morocco is for most travellers a world away from their own cities and towns. The souks (like covered markets) are a way of life in Morocco and you usually wont have to go far to find one. When you do-be careful you don't get lost! Moroccan culture can be an exiting and worldly experience.
The people are friendly and the place is colourful. Hospitality is really a part of their culture so you can strike up friendships virtually anywhere if you have the right attitude.
Usually this results in further association with these dynamic and interesting people and a real taste of Moroccan life.

Time difference: GMT + 1 hrs