MOROCCO LIBRARY PROJECT (MLP)
INSPIRING LITERACY, BUILDING FRIENDSHIP
We develop English libraries at public high schools in rural communities of Morocco. OliveSeed founder Barb Mackraz started Morocco Library Project (MLP) in January 2014, and we now manage it within OliveSeed, where it continues to thrive. These libraries are primarily in Amazigh communities in desert and mountain areas, where we collaborate with teachers and students to understand the local context and curate an enjoyable collection for them. Working with after-school English clubs, we also co-develop project-based programs including creative writing and the collection of oral stories. We have worked with the Peace Corps on several projects and have received support form the U.S. Embassy.
What began as the "Purple Library" in Erfoud has blossomed into dozens, including a mobile library in the Sahara. Our mission is to help teachers inspire a love of learning and culture of reading, and to spark an exploration of the positive possibilities ahead for this generation. It's a privilege to work in this part of the world with teenagers who never previously had books for pleasure reading but are embracing this resource with all their hearts.
PROJECTS IN 2021
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1st PUBLIC ENGLISH LIBRARY IN RURAL MOROCCO ("Access Language Center, Sparkling the Candle of Readers," Ali Amhal)
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2nd NATIONWIDE CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION (more)
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EARTH DAY COLLABORATION WITH STUDENTS IN THE U.S.
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ANOTHER SCHOOL LIBRARY IN THE NORTH (in Sidi Slimane)
The Impact on Girls
MLP is for all students, boys and girls alike, and we feel strongly that it should be. But it is having an especially profound impact on girls. In some rural regions of Morocco, female participation in secondary school is as low as 26%. By contrast, these after-school English clubs with libraries are over 60% girls, who are embracing the supportive environment and the extra-curricular learning activities of the library. As teachers often tell us, "Girls love to read!" And they report that once their club has a library, more girls join in.
"Educating Girls Can Stop Gender Inequality in Morocco," Ilham Haddadi
"A school without a library is like a body without a soul."
~Meriem, age 16
What's in the Libraries?
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A breadth of high-quality fiction and nonfiction for all reading levels. After consulting with the teacher on their needs and interests, we buy books in the U.S. at an educator's discount and ship them.
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Classic and modern literature, including contemporary young adult novels that touch on current themes. This includes world literature, especially from Africa, both North and Sub-Saharan.
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Poetry, essays, and folktales from around the world.
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Great books for learners, such as the Who Is / Who Was series. We sometimes include children's picture storybooks too.
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Picture-rich nonfiction about nature, science, inventions, and architecture; and biographies of inspiring people who have done positive things.
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Writing from students, including their own creative short stories and tales they collect from their elders. We publish these writings — and the beauty is that we have a place to put them.
"How We Curate Libraries for Morocco," Barb Mackraz
Before & After: New High School, Erfoud
"Imagine a school without a single book on a poor shelf! That was my school... so keep imagining, creating a library in a school where there is no place called library. What might seem to be a little for some is really a treasure to others."
~ Abdelhaq Elkouar, English teacher, New High School
