By Bochra Laghssais
Marrakech - CorpsAfrica is a Moroccan-American nonprofit organization that addresses the critical need for professional and personal growth opportunities for young people across Africa by mobilizing them to combat poverty and empower the less fortunate through the facilitation of community led development. CorpsAfrica gives bright and ambitious young African individuals the opportunity to serve their country, or other African countries, as “volunteers” along the lines of the Peace Corps.
The organization was founded by Liz Fanning, a former Peace Corps volunteer who currently seeks to build on the enormous success of the Peace Corps by offering a similar transformative experience for emerging leaders in Africa – giving them the chance to be a part of the solution for their countries.
The first CorpsAfrica office was established in Morocco in 2013, and serves as the model for other African country offices. They are working to demonstrate their impact while building a reputation for excellence; both in terms of benefitting communities as well as providing transformative experiences for individual volunteers. The nonprofit’s primary objective is to stabilize and expand the program in Morocco and leverage the model as it launches offices in Senegal and Malawi.
Morocco World News interviewed Abderrahim Boualy, a previous CorpsAfrica Volunteer.
MWN: What motivated you to join CorpsAfrica/Maroc?
Abderrahim Boualy: I joined CorpsAfrica/Maroc basically because I believe in change. My mission was, and still is, giving back what I have learned to people in need. CorpsAfrica/Maroc is a win-win situation where I learned new skills, grew my network and gained knowledge as well as work experience in social development projects that fulfilled the needs of people in rural areas.
MWN: After one year of service, what do you want to say about it? How was it?
Abderrahim Boualy: After one year of serving in the Eljadida province, I could see the change I wanted in the community and myself as well. It was a great experience that taught me various lessons in life. I learned to be patient, flexible and positive. In fact, CorpsAfrica/Maroc has highlighted my way toward professionalism in community service.
MWN: What is your advice to young Moroccans about joining CorpsAfrica?
Abderrahim Boualy: My advice to young Moroccans is to go for such opportunities and never wait for the change - they can make it themselves. CorpsAfrica/Maroc provides a one-year life-changing experience for young Moroccans who are willing to give their time, efforts and skills to people in isolated areas and high-need communities. CorpsAfrica/Maroc will be a unique experience for everyone to remember during the rest of her/his life.
The third group of volunteers have now completed their training, in various cities across Morocco, and will be able to begin their service at their selected locations after attending the swear in ceremony, which will take place in Rabat on Saturday, April 2.
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