The world survived the 10th anniversary of the Twin Towers bombing. Although the threat of terrorism has become part of our daily lives, at least some good has come from the terrible events that took place that day.
For one thing, on September 11th every year, people try to contribute positively to making the world a better place, in memory of those who are no longer here and able to do so. The embassy in Rabat arranged such an event for this significant anniversary. A group of staff, about 15 adults and 8 or so kids, went to a school in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Rabat and painted and furnished one of their rooms for a library. It was a huge success and will impact those kids for the rest of their lives because we were able to provide over 300 books, from simple stories to books about the universe, in Arabic to kids some of whom had never even held a book!!
Being involved in the project was a kick for us too! To begin with, we all met at the embassy to go together to the school because as I have mentioned before, getting directions to anywhere here presents its own challenges. So here we were, a caravan of about 10 cars, following someone who "kind of knew" where the school was. And this is in a country where people drive like maniacs and cut you off and run red lights. Trying to keep all of us together was a hilarious challenge! And of course there was the inevitable missed turn so that we all had to try to make a U-turn on the busy street! But we finally reached a place where these kids were standing on the side of the road pointing to a side street where we all very obediently turned. Of course it is well known here that kids - and even adults - like to misdirect foreigners to get them lost! We all parked in the same general area and massed by a neighborhood mosque, asking ourselves where the lead car had gone, and did anyone see a school anywhere around. Of course the kids had disappeared as soon as we all stopped our cars!
After about 10 minutes our faithful leader appeared and took us down a street, around a corner, down some stairs, through an alley kind of area, to the school. I was expecting an empty building, but no...there were a LOT of people standing around inside and out. and inside, the "lobby" was set with tables and chairs covered in linen, with juice, water, and pastries on all of them.
We were herded down some stairs and out back of the school where all these darling kids were lined up in their school uniforms, waiting for us and for the Ambassador to arrive. They were very excited to see us. As I walked in I went over and said hi, and they all wanted to shake hands! And of course we could see the class clowns, who wanted their pictures taken!
After the arrival of the ambassador, we were led back upstairs and urged to sit at these beautiful tables, helping ourselves to the goodies provided for us while the director of the school and the ambassador made speeches! My thought was, when are we going to get to work? But it was a nice little ceremony and when it was finished, the real service work began!
Our focus was to paint and set up the library. We had a couple of ladders for those with nerves of steel to use to do the trim out, and then several rollers and lots of little brushes so the embassy kids could participate. I only wish the local kids could have helped out too. Although it was nice to have the kids participate, it was also nice when all the low parts were done and the kids had to go have juice so the adults could get in there and smooth over the painting that had been done and finish the work! One wall was set aside for a beautiful flower to be painted. The artist did a terrific job, painting basically freehand with all the kids running around him! When the painting was done, a smaller group stayed to clean up and to bring in the furniture and books. We supplied desks and book shelves along with the books.
All in all it was a very rewarding day.
For one thing, on September 11th every year, people try to contribute positively to making the world a better place, in memory of those who are no longer here and able to do so. The embassy in Rabat arranged such an event for this significant anniversary. A group of staff, about 15 adults and 8 or so kids, went to a school in one of the poorest neighborhoods of Rabat and painted and furnished one of their rooms for a library. It was a huge success and will impact those kids for the rest of their lives because we were able to provide over 300 books, from simple stories to books about the universe, in Arabic to kids some of whom had never even held a book!!
Being involved in the project was a kick for us too! To begin with, we all met at the embassy to go together to the school because as I have mentioned before, getting directions to anywhere here presents its own challenges. So here we were, a caravan of about 10 cars, following someone who "kind of knew" where the school was. And this is in a country where people drive like maniacs and cut you off and run red lights. Trying to keep all of us together was a hilarious challenge! And of course there was the inevitable missed turn so that we all had to try to make a U-turn on the busy street! But we finally reached a place where these kids were standing on the side of the road pointing to a side street where we all very obediently turned. Of course it is well known here that kids - and even adults - like to misdirect foreigners to get them lost! We all parked in the same general area and massed by a neighborhood mosque, asking ourselves where the lead car had gone, and did anyone see a school anywhere around. Of course the kids had disappeared as soon as we all stopped our cars!
After about 10 minutes our faithful leader appeared and took us down a street, around a corner, down some stairs, through an alley kind of area, to the school. I was expecting an empty building, but no...there were a LOT of people standing around inside and out. and inside, the "lobby" was set with tables and chairs covered in linen, with juice, water, and pastries on all of them.
We were herded down some stairs and out back of the school where all these darling kids were lined up in their school uniforms, waiting for us and for the Ambassador to arrive. They were very excited to see us. As I walked in I went over and said hi, and they all wanted to shake hands! And of course we could see the class clowns, who wanted their pictures taken!
After the arrival of the ambassador, we were led back upstairs and urged to sit at these beautiful tables, helping ourselves to the goodies provided for us while the director of the school and the ambassador made speeches! My thought was, when are we going to get to work? But it was a nice little ceremony and when it was finished, the real service work began! 
Our focus was to paint and set up the library. We had a couple of ladders for those with nerves of steel to use to do the trim out, and then several rollers and lots of little brushes so the embassy kids could participate. I only wish the local kids could have helped out too. Although it was nice to have the kids participate, it was also nice when all the low parts were done and the kids had to go have juice so the adults could get in there and smooth over the painting that had been done and finish the work! One wall was set aside for a beautiful flower to be painted. The artist did a terrific job, painting basically freehand with all the kids running around him! When the painting was done, a smaller group stayed to clean up and to bring in the furniture and books. We supplied desks and book shelves along with the books.All in all it was a very rewarding day.
