This blog documents one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had as part of my work with the High Atlas Foundation (HAF). At the beginning of May, I had the opportunity to coordinate and accompany a group of Master’s students from University College London (UCL) during their study trip to Morocco. The students travelled to Marrakech, Morocco to undertake field work as part of their academic module titled Urban Health Challenges. While this visit marks the third consecutive year that UCL have partnered with HAF, it was my first time working directly with a UCL student group, and it was a truly enriching experience.

After coordinating with the group of students only via email, I first met them in person on Wednesday, April 30. I was a little nervous at first, and I could sense that the students were too, but their kindness, curiosity, and openness helped us connect quickly and build a comfortable, collaborative atmosphere.

Our first outing was to the Koulchi Beldi Cooperative in Targa, Marrakech. Since all the students were visiting Morocco for the first time, this was meant to be a warm introduction to our culture; and it really was.

The cooperative welcomed us like family, offering mint tea, traditional sweets, and big smiles. Soon the cooking class began; laughing and preparing a Moroccan meal together. The students loved learning how to cook tagine, couscous and other Moroccan dishes. Later, we danced together to Moroccan music, and I could feel the joy in the space. When dinner was finally served, everyone loved the food and truly enjoyed the delicious flavors of Moroccan cuisine. That night was special; the kind of evening that reminds you how easy it is to connect, even across language and culture.

The next day, Thursday, the students attended a presentation organized by (HAF), at HAF office in Marrakech. Mina Lalaoui, an expert in Environment and Sustainable Development at the Wilaya of the Marrakech-Safi Region, spoke about water challenges and opportunities in Morocco, with a focus on Marrakech.

After a tea and coffee break, Abdessamad Hadri, Assistant Professor at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, followed with a lecture on climate and water issues. These presentations offered valuable insights into the environmental context of the students' research projects.

On Friday, we visited theAkrich Nursery, located on the grounds of a 700-year-old Jewish cemetery. This place has so much meaning; it represents both cultural memory and new life. It was amazing to watch the students listen so attentively as the nursery caretaker, Abderrahim, explained the steps of how we grow olive trees from tiny cuttings to sappings ready to be planted.

Later, we visited the cemetery, the oldest in the region. It was very emotional for the group, as they learnt how Muslims and Jews in the village lived and worked together for so many years. The message of coexistence really touched the students.

We then planted trees together. Many students said things like, “Maybe one day I’ll come back and see how my tree has grown.” These comments really stayed with me. I’ve planted trees with HAF, but doing it with this group, people so engaged and hopeful, made it feel new and meaningful all over again.

Our next stop was the Zarbiat Achbarou Cooperative in Achbarou Village. We were welcomed with another hearty Moroccan lunch, which, after a morning of planting, was exactly what we needed. Samira, the cooperative’s leader, then spoke to us about how they started the cooperative with almost nothing and how, with HAF’s support, they have built something powerful.

As I translated for her, I could barely hold back my emotions. She spoke about how they started, how HAF first provided them land, and how Planeterra International Foundation, HAF’s partner, helped rebuild the cooperative after the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake. Many of the women had never been to school, and HAF´s Family literacy Program was life-changing, as it was a push to achieve their childhood dreams: independence. Samira told us how the earthquake broke their hearts, but also became a turning point. They stood up, rebuilt, and created something stronger.

Now they weave beautiful carpets, and they’re also a part of HAF’s new project to sew tree planting bags made of eco-friendly material. It’s a chance for women, and even young girls who had to drop out of school, to earn a monthly income. We also visited their carpet gallery, where many students bought handmade rugs as a way to support and honor the women’s craft.

Samira´s story of resilience, community, and women’s empowerment moved the group deeply. Hearing this, seeing their pride and strength, was one of the most powerful moments of the trip. I felt so lucky to be there.

On Sunday, we visited Amizmiz, one of the areas hit hardest by the earthquake. We were guided by HAF’s Monitoring Officer, Abdeljalil Ait Ali. Seeing the damage and hearing the stories first hand was heartbreaking. But we also saw resilience; people rebuilding, replanting, and holding on to hope. It reminded us all that climate action isn’t just about theory, it's about people’s lives.

Back in Marrakech, each group of students embarked on three days of fieldwork. The group I coordinated focused on the research topic 'Climate Change and Urban Health in Marrakech’. As part of the fieldwork research we visited five public gardens: Menara Gardens, Al Nahda Park, Azli Garden, El Harti Garden and Moulay Abdessalam Park, where students interviewed local families, children, and elders about how these greenspaces impact their health and wellbeing.

One particularly moving moment was when a little girl from one of the families we interviewed in Al Nahda Park, came back with her hands full of Msemen and Hersha (traditional Moroccan food). The students were touched by her gesture, and one of them gave the girl a few sweets she had in her bag. A short while later, the girl returned again, this time with bracelets, which she offered to the students. At that moment, one of the students was so moved that she started to cry. Al Nahda garden - May 4, 2025

She said it was deeply emotional for her to encounter such kindness and generosity from people she had just met. That pure act of giving, from someone with so little, left an unforgettable mark on us all.

On Monday, we met with Mr. Abderrahim, a local policy maker in the Gueliz District. He shared the city's plans for urban planting and improving access to greenspaces. It was an important chance for the students to understand how their research connects to real policy decisions.

Later in the evening, we returned to Menara Gardens to observe how people used the space at different times of day. The contrast added an interesting dimension to the students' research.

By Wednesday, the students were busy finalising their research and editing their videos showcasing their fieldwork and research findings. On Thursday, we gathered at the HAF office to watch the videos. I was so proud, seeing their creativity, their reflections, and how much they had learned in just one week.

When it came time to say goodbye, it was emotional for everyone. One student told me, “It’s too short, I don't want to leave yet.” That meant a lot to me. I didn’t just coordinate their visit, I shared their journey, their questions, their moments of discovery. I also learned from them.

I’m so grateful to HAF for giving me this opportunity. This experience wasn’t just professional, it was personal. I grew along with the students. I saw Morocco through their eyes, and I’ll carry that with me, always.