Charles serves in the North-Eastern region of Morocco and has written
this article about his dynamic counterpart, his host mom. She is a
stellar example of a Moroccan woman who makes her community better
through her daily hard work.
I can always count on one person from my site texting me or calling at least once a week. Usually the contents of the message ask where I am and tell me to come to lunch or kaskrout.And she is not simply requesting my presence. She’s commanding me to come and I oblige. I would not have it any other because this person is my host mom and she is what makes my service in Peace Corps awesome.
 |
| Charles and Fatima during one of their educational sessions at the hospital |
Fatima was the first person to quell any anxiety I had about my new assignment. For Morocco, she is the modern woman with the characteristics of being tough, being out-going, and being motivated. My host mom was the one that got me settled into the community immediately. Before I was even well rested from the day of travel, she gave me a tour of the town. Then registered me at the Gendarme and got a P.O. Box for me. When things went south for me, I could always count on her
to get me back on my feet.
And I am not the only person she enjoys helping. Fatima is a leader of the community, from the women’s association to the hospital. This person never stops moving. Every Tuesday she will spend the entire afternoon at the hospital educating women about SIDA then providing tests. Among men leading associations here, she is on the forefront, always asserting herself. When my Dar Chbab had a summer camp for the first time in a long time, she immediately went into action organizing activities and recruiting youth. Fatima single-handedly saved the camp.
I wish there were more women in Morocco like my host mom. That is why I am excited that she will accompany me to the Gender Advocate Training in December. Already she has done a lot for me and her community. I cannot wait to see what the rest of service entails with her as my counterpart.
