Naamou – Let’s Swim for Health at Amane Centre

Context

In 2014, the poverty rate in rural areas was 9.5% compared to 1.6% in urban areas (RGPH, 2014). This difference in living standard has led to the displacement of rural populations to the city. Climate change and lack of economic stability have also played a big role in rural-urban migration. These forced displacements have led to precarious situations increasing the number of families and children who spend the majority of their time on the street to work or beg.

Since 2010 MCT has provided holistic social work and foster care services for children and families at Amane Centre. Many of the children and mothers at the centre are not familiar with the sea or any large body of water, nor have ever learnt to swim. They are not adequately equipped with the skills or knowledge to practice water safety and may quickly find themselves in a dangerous situation. Also, the local swimming pools are dedicated primarily for men with few specific hours allocated to women and young girls.

In this context, the project of FAP targets women and children at the centre to make swimming accessible to them and improve their health and wellbeing. The project will also establish a rooftop vegetable garden at Amane Centre, which will serve as both a source of healthy fruit and veg for the children, as well to teach them about food production and healthy eating.

Goals

• Strengthen all areas of a beneficiary’s life to develop overall well-being
• Promote the development of orphaned street-connected children through their one-to-one sessions that target their educational and emotional needs
• Provide a safe space for mothers and women caregivers to discuss and solve the challenges they face together.
• Provide a template that will be used in our continuous advocacy for safeguarding practices on the local, regional, and national stage in Morocco
• Establish a programme in advocacy for safeguarding practices in Morocco

Activities

• Establishment of sports activities and swimming classes in the locality
• Organisation of Health and lifestyle workshops dedicated to women and young girls
• Construction of a rooftop vegetable garden to teach young girls and women about food production and healthy eating.
• Promotion of gender inclusion through swimming classes held in safe-spaces with female teachers

Impact

• 50 direct beneficiaries especially young girls and women are targeted by the project
• Children and their mothers will learn new life skills, including increased awareness of water safety, as well as healthy eating and healthy living
• Beneficiaries will build physical and psychological health as well as increased self-confidence and self-esteem
• Children and their mothers will have the opportunity to leave the city for potentially the first time, to see the sea for the first time and to experience a different city
• Mothers and their children will have the opportunity to bond and have a new experience together

Photo credit : Fondation Amane pour le Protection de l’Enfance