Itzer charity campaign

The departure

We began our journey just after dawn, as the early morning light cast a soft glow over everything around us. The highway stretched out before us, and the scenery was stunning. A thin layer of fog hovered over the grassy fields, giving the landscape a quiet, almost dreamlike feel. As we drove through the Moroccan Azrou region, large expanses of land were covered in snow. It was a peaceful start and our destination was Itzer: an old and very poor village situated between Azrou and Midelt that has been around for hundreds of years

A struggling village

Back in 2008, a tragedy hit the village when about 15 old houses crumbled, leaving the families who lived in them without homes. Many of these families had no choice but to move into the local marketplace, which offered little in terms of shelter. Life in the marketplace was harsh. There was just one toilet available for 15 families to share, and most of the makeshift homes were separated by curtains made from empty wheat sacks. These sacks were used as walls, windows, and doors to give each family a little bit of privacy

Winters in Itzer are particularly brutal. The temperature often drops to about -5°C, making survival even more difficult. Many villagers make do with very little. For cooking, some people use empty food cans because they have no proper pots. The cold is especially hard on the children, some of whom suffer from frostbite due to the extreme weather

Our mission

When we arrived, we were greeted by the head of the local association, who gave us a rundown of the current situation and what we would be doing to help. It was clear that the needs were great, and our job was to offer some relief. After unloading the trucks, our first task was to prepare food bags for distribution. Each bag contained basic supplies that would mean a lot to the people who would receive them. Along with the food bags, each beneficiary received one or two blankets, depending on their needs, to help them stay warm through the freezing winter nights

A child’s hug

As we worked, there were many moments that stuck with me, but one, in particular, was especially moving. Throughout the day, the villagers were incredibly thankful, expressing their gratitude for even the smallest things. But when I gave a little girl some candy, she wrapped her arms around me in a hug, and I felt something in that moment that I hadn’t expected. I don’t have children of my own, but the love and tenderness in that embrace felt like what a parent might feel for their child. It was a simple gesture, but it was filled with warmth and connection, and it stayed with me long after we left

Gratitude and generosity

At the end of the day, I couldn’t help but think about how much had been accomplished, not just by us but by everyone who had contributed to the donations. It was through the kindness of so many people that we were able to bring some comfort to the villagers of Itzer. The smiles we saw and the appreciation they showed were a reminder of how powerful generosity can be. Thanks to all those who helped these villagers. It was a day I’ll never forget, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it

Behold the photo album