Two cellphones. Three numbers. Thirty to forty phone calls a day. A road trip-based work life, which, for seven years, has been separated from luxuries like regular hours, weekends and sleep.<\/p>\n
Needless to say, Dr. Abderrahim Ouarghidi, is a busy man.<\/p>\n
Officially the High Atlas Foundation\u2019s director of programs in Marrakech, Ouarghidi, who focused his doctorate work on ethno botany and ecology in rural areas of Morocco and has worked with the Global Diversity Foundation, also advises additional HAF sites on issues like gardening and management. He meets regularly with funders, community leaders and HAF training workshop participants.<\/p>\n
With this irregular, busy schedule, what keeps Ouarghidi going is his belief in HAF\u2019s mission of helping rural communities develop themselves. As a scientist and development worker, he has a unique perspective both on preservation and community development.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe object of being a scientist\u2026 is always to preserve resources,\u201d said Ouarghidi. \u201cBeing a development agent, you always think about developing the community over the resources. If you\u2019re in the middle, you can\u2026 (think) about the preserving and conserving of al the resources, but also (think) about how that can be balanced with developing the community. That\u2019s the position I want to be in the middle, that I can bridge both sides.\u201d<\/p>\n
To fulfill this goal, he feels he must be available to local counterparts at all times.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith (development) work, you can\u2019t say after six o\u2019clock that you\u2019re done,\u201d said Ouarghidi. \u201cPeople might call you at 12. People might call you at five o\u2019clock in the morning\u2026 you\u2019re working 24 hours. Whenever people get stuck or there is an issue\u2026 they need to reach you. You cannot anticipate things.\u201d<\/p>\n
This availability, says Ouarghidi, creates more than an efficient partnership: it also lays the foundation for long-lasting bonds between HAF and its rural partners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeking to be close to the community. We\u2019re seeking to be participatory, because (local counterparts) know that they can participate. They know that we\u2019re giving them the chance and a place to express themselves, to make their own decisions, then realize their projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Abderrahim, this empowerment has also lead to deep friendships.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople, when they love you, they really love you,\u201d said Ouarghidi. \u201c(This job is) something that you do with love. (Local counterparts) want you… they know that you are the solution (to certain problems.)\u201d<\/p>\n
Ouarghidi\u2019s effectiveness may stem from his own ties to rural life. Ouarghidi, who is of mixed Arab and Berber descent, spent childhood summers in the mountains near Marrakech, where he learned Tashelhit. This connection gave him insight into the lives and struggles of rurally based Moroccans.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing in the mountains and seeing people\u2019s struggles and difficulties and going to these fields, you know what people are facing because you\u2019ve been there, and you know exactly what\u2019s happening,\u201d said Ouarghidi. \u201cYou know how to get connected to them, and to be connected to their problems, to their priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the future, Ouarghidi hopes to focus on how water management affects rural gender empowerment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was fortunate in life. I had a great education, great opportunity. My duty is to give, because I have lots that I have to give.\u201d<\/p>\n