Cheikh Akmach
HAF Site Coordinator, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab region
Planet Earth is in dire need of environmental protection and sustainable development. Every day, we witness the devastating effects of climate change and the gradual depletion of natural resources. There are organizations and individuals who are working tirelessly to create a greener, healthier world. And the High Atlas Foundation is one of them.
On the third Monday of each year, HAF organizes an annual tree planting event with Moroccan communities around the kingdom. Hana Ezaoui, HAF’s project manager for the south, celebrated this day in Boujdour province, where 6 schools benefited from the fig and pomegranate fruit trees, and 120 students participated in planting the trees with their teachers and the schools’ staff. The main aim of this activity was to promote environment protection and sustainable development by planting seedlings of fruit trees. But it was much more than just planting trees; it was a lesson in preserving the environment and preserving water during irrigation.
Under the expert guidance of Hana Ezaoui, the students were taught how to plant seedlings and how to take care of them to ensure their growth. Hana gave valuable advice on how to preserve water during irrigation, which is a crucial factor in a region where water scarcity is a major problem. The students were also educated on the importance of trees in reducing the effects of climate change and the benefits of growing fruit trees for both the environment and the economy.
Hana teaching participants environmental preservation concepts (credit: HAF Volunteer).
Everyone showed enthusiasm and interest. It was heartening to see the students, who are the future of our planet, taking an active interest in environmental protection and sustainable development. By teaching them how to plant trees and preserve water, HAF is not just creating a greener world, but also building a generation of eco-conscious individuals who will carry the torch forward.
It is worth noting that HAF’s work extends to all parts of Morocco. Our efforts are not just limited to planting trees; we also work on propagating democratic concepts such as participatory governance and civic engagement, cooperative building, family literacy, and cultural dialogue and preservation.
