Thank you to everyone who participated in GlobalGiving’s Everybody Can Win! challenge. HAF surpassed the $5,000/50 donor goal with an overwhelming $10,655 from 93 donors – allowing us to secure an additional $2,500 in bonus prizes! The funds will be used to bring clean drinking water to two villages, benefitting approximately 600 people. We will post project
Join HAF in NYC and Washington, DC to celebrate the new year, learn more about HAF’s activities, catch up with old friends, and meet others interested in Morocco. There will be complimentary appetizers. We will have for sale the award winning Returned Peace Corps Volunteers International Calendar. They are $13 each and all funds benefit HAF’s community development projects (Morocco is
The past year has been truly transformative for the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) and the rural communities with whom we partner. We would like to share with you some of the highlights of what we have accomplished during 2008 with the help of our partners and supporters: Hired the organizationâs first Country Director and established a
Despite a cold start to the new year, HAF’s January Happy Hours were collectively attended by over 50 people! On January 7th we gathered at NYC’s Le Souk and on January 9th at Marrakesh Palace in DC. Thank you to everyone who joined us, introduced us to new friends, and for all your great energy and ideas! We look
On January 22nd, HAF held its first training session at the Center for Community Consensus-Building and Sustainable Development.  This day-long workshop trained twenty-five Master level students – selected from over 100 applicants – at Hassan II University’s Faculty of Law, Economics, and Social Sciences, in the basic approach to participatory development through interactive activities and discussion. Taught in Moroccan
In partnership with the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco (AmCham), HAF has launched a corporate social responsibility program. The program targets the over 250 Moroccan and US companies that are members of AmCham, with a particular focus on engaging small and medium sized enterprises. The goal of the program is to provide a platform for companies to invest in
HAF’s project to bring clean drinking water to five Moroccan villages is featured as part of GlobalGiving’s “Fill the Glass” fundraiser in celebration of World Water Day. Your donation before Sunday, March 22nd could help HAF earn an additional $1,000 in project funds…we are already off to a great start! Just $15 provides clean drinking water for one person – every drop counts! What
Between February 19th and 23rd nearly 20,000 cherry and apple trees were distributed to 250 households, including twenty-eight villages, in the Tifnoute Valley as part of the Kate Jeans-Gail Tree Nursery Memorial. Trees were also distributed to local schools in the valley, allowing children of all ages to participate in this community-wide project. More trees will be distributed
Today is World Water Day. One billion people in the world do not have access to clean drinking water. Nearly 1.8 million children die every year from waterborne illnesses. But you can help change this. Download a free copy of “World Water Run: The Race to Provide Safe Drinking Water to the World” to learn more about the world water
Making its debut just in time for Earth Day on April 22nd and Arbor Day on April 24th, HAF’s Teacher Toolkit is an innovative way to introduce Moroccan geography and culture, volunteerism, and environmental awareness to children in grades one through six. The program includes interactive lessons, a tree planting activity, and grassroots fundraising to plant “sister” trees
HAF’s NYC team is hard at work putting together a series of networking, fundraising, and outreach events for the coming months. Their goal is to connect HAF fans and supporters to Morocco related cultural and artistic events already happening in NYC, as well as create our own inspirational gatherings to inform you of HAF’s latest projects and how
Join the High Atlas Foundation for spring happy hours in DC (May 29th) and NYC (June 4th). Hear the latest updates from the field, get a sneak peak at HAF’s newest initiatives – including grassroots fundraising and youth outreach programs, and enjoy complimentary Moroccan appetizers with new and old friends. Please RSVP to kate@highatlasfoundation.org to let us know
On the evening of June 1st, Moroccan Ambassador to the US, H.E. Aziz Mekouar, and Mrs. Maria Felice Mekouar hosted a sit down dinner for thirty High Atlas Foundation supporters. High Atlas Foundation President, Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, and Country Director, Kate McLetchie, were joined by Board Members, Sir Charles Dahan, Barbara Balaj, and Talal Belrhiti. We were delighted
Width=200|height=54]We are excited to let you know that the Moroccan American Cultural Center has initiated a $5,000 matching challenge grant for HAF. Through September 20th every dollar you donate or pledge will be matched up to $5,000! You can make a secure donation online, fill out a pledge form, or send us a check. Do you live in Morocco?
HAF has partnered with G4S (Morocco), the worldâs leading international securities group, to combat rural poverty and highlight awareness for dislocation of Moroccoâs rural populations due to challenging socio-economic conditions. Together, this NGO-corporate partnership will bring clean drinking water to five villages in the Tifnoute Valley, benefitting 1,500 people. It will also  plant 15,000 saplings in
Shortly after its release, in the spring of 2008, HAF teamed up with the authors of the childrenâs book The Butter Man, Ali Alalou and Elizabeth Letts Alalou (RPCV Morocco 1983-1986), to share their Moroccan tale of âpatience, perseverance, and hopeâ with HAF friends and supporters. If you missed out on purchasing a signed copy of The Butter Man at one
HAF will receive a Peace Corps Response Volunteer this fall â and it could be you! The Peace Corps Response program allows former Volunteers to re-enroll in Peace Corps for short-term assignments that range from three months to one year, working in everything from HIV/AIDS education to humanitarian assistance in response to natural disasters to capacity-building of
âA penny can make a differenceâ was the motto for sixty-five students in the Fairfax County School Age Child Care (SACC) after school program at Shrevewood Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia. The children, ages six to eleven, raised $200 through grassroots fundraising efforts and secured a $200 matching grant from a corporate sponsor, to
HAF is excited to welcome Rabia El Alama, Managing Director for the American Chamber of Commerce in Morocco, to the Board of Directors! With twenty years of experience in project management, entrepreneurship, and international business, Rabia is looking forward to working with HAF to build its corporate giving program, helping to develop creative ways to engage corporations
HAFâs project to bring clean drinking water to Moroccan villages is featured as part of GlobalGivingâs Ramadan Giving Campaign. Please consider making a life changing gift to help 1,600 people in five villages in southern Morocco have access to safe drinking water. Just $15 provides clean drinking water for one person and $150 for an entire family. And,
Mabrouk Ramadan from all of us at the High Atlas Foundation! You are invited to join HAF Board members, supporters, and friends for Ramadan ftoor during the month of September. The cost includes a donation to HAF to support its One Million Tree campaign (cash and checks please). More information about HAFâs newest project â a
HAF will host its fifth annual New York City reception â a Moroccan hefla â on the evening of Friday, November 6th (7pm-10pm) at the American Institute of Architects New York. Approximately 150 guests, including Moroccan expatriates, returned Peace Corps Volunteers, politicians, business leaders, and academicians, will take part in the eveningâs festivities that include Moroccan hors dâoeuvres, a traditional tea pouring
Over 125 guests, including Moroccan expatriates, former Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, business leaders, and academicians, participated in HAFâs Fifth Annual New York City reception held on the evening of November 6th at the American Institute of Architects New York. Guests enjoyed Moroccan hors dâoeuvres, a traditional tea pouring ceremony, henna art, and music. The
Looking for a meaningful way to give this holiday season? HAFâs Made in Morocco partners might just have the thing you are looking for! Our partners are committed to using local materials and talent to produce high quality products that respect both the environment and the people who create them. They partner with us on events, contribute
To kick off 2010, HAF is launching a networking and idea sharing initiative in New York City, aptly called Eat.Drink.Share. Weâll be meeting every few months to discuss a different development topic, provide updates on HAFâs projects, network, and share ideas (and share good Moroccan food!). Please join us on Sunday, January 10th for the inaugural gathering at LâOrange
The students of Ibn Khaldoun Academy, located in Alexandria, Virginia, kicked off a year of service with a tree planting event held on school grounds on October 31, 2009. The Moroccan owned academy offers instruction in Arabic, French, and Islamic studies to students from elementary school to adults. Students, teachers, and parents came together on
During the month of March, the Washington Moroccan Club (WMC) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with 20 events that highlight the diversity and spirit of Morocco. HAF is proud to partner with WMC on this special occasion to present the program Rural Development in Morocco. On Friday, March 12th from 5 :30pm-7 :30pm, please join the High Atlas Foundation
âGlobal Sustainability through Community Developmentâ is the theme of People to People Internationalâs (PTPI) 2010 Young Generation (YG) IMPACT Weekend to be held on Friday, May 28, 2010 – Sunday, May 30, 2010 at The Heldrich Hotel (10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ). The conference is aimed at connecting young adults to PTPI’s mission of enhancing international understanding
In partnership with the Embassy of the Netherlands in Morocco, HAF organized and presented a series of workshops focused on the theme of inclusive community planning during the months of January and February 2010. HAF provided hands-on training to twenty-eight Masters students at Hassan II Universityâs Faculty of Law, Economics, and Social Sciences in Mohammedia,
In rural Morocco, women play an integral role in the sustainability of their communities. HAF works to have these women’s voices heard through organized women’s cooperatives. HAF will be presenting in conjunction with Kantara Crafts, a fair trade company specializing in women’s carpet weaving cooperatives, on the importance of cooperatives, current projects being led in the