I was determined to plant a seed - the Amalna Maroc seed. Would this seed grow into a strong, big tree? That was unclear. Would it branch out, bear fruit, and thrive with all the other orchards and cedar trees surrounding the Azrou region?
In 2021, I carefully planted that seed in the fertile soils of Azrou. I gave it love and care as I watched it grow. I observed as its roots reached out to seven cooperatives. I witnessed it tapping into the nutritious soil provided by the Anou, Fair Fabrics, and the support of friends and family back home.
By its second year of life, I saw it transform into a sapling. However, like every sapling, it is vulnerable. When it faces bad weather, you pray that its roots are strong enough to keep it grounded. Inevitably, every sapling will encounter a strong storm or several. That storm came to me in April. Corruption, greed, and the patriarchy in Morocco started to eat away at my roots like a fungus. This began to impact my housing, my closest Moroccan relationships and some key partnerships.
At first, I didn't notice this fungus corroding my roots until I was struck by a powerful lightning storm. It felt as though my little sapling was barely holding onto the soil. Fungus, rain, lightning - everything coming from all directions. But as the storm passed, the fungus started to disintegrate, my leaves began to dry, I was reminded why I am here.
It's witnessing the weavers lifting their heads up high after they completed their first major custom order. It's sitting and having tea with another group of weavers as they face the same struggles - corruption, greed, patriarchy. It's stopping and chit chatting with Si Mohamed, the storekeeper, as he insists on giving me a bottle of water for my bike ride back up to Azrou. It's finding simple and unexpected joys that happen throughout the day, like coming across a flock of sheep at the very same spring you're trying to drink from or witnessing the sunset illuminating the mountainside. These are the things that remind me that my roots are strong and can withstand any storms or fungus or both.
I will be returning to the States on the summer solstice. As the sun hangs high in the sky on the longest day of the year, I will harness its nurturing powers to strengthen my roots and reflect on that little sapling. The third year of the sapling's life is going to be incredibly crucial. It will determine the direction of its branches and how strong they will be. We will primarily focus on four branches - rug production, training for women, and exploring experiential tourism, while also researching grant opportunities.
Thank you to everyone who has helped care for this little sapling with me. It's your support and donations that helps keep the soil filled with nutrients. If you wish to continue nurturing this little sapling, the best way is through donations. You can make a donation here! *Illustrations by Audrey Huetteman
About Amalna Maroc: Amalna means “Our Hope” in Arabic. Our hope is to advance women’s development in Morocco. A primary focus of Amalna Maroc is to work with women’s cooperatives in Morocco, especially in rural areas, by providing education, resources and support that increase empowerment and economic opportunity for Moroccan women and girls.
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