When the earthquake struck the mountains of Al Haouz in Morocco on September 8th, 2023, everything changed in a few minutes. Homes were destroyed and families fled with whatever they could carry. Schools, hospitals, offices, and shops turned into rubble.
“It all happened so suddenly. The ground shook hard, and it was my brother who opened the door and got us out.”
Abdelfattah, a student from Al Haouz, Morocco
Rebuilding has been slow and difficult due to the region’s remote, mountainous terrain, damaged roads and bridges, a shortage of building materials and skilled workers, and delays caused by complex permit processes.
To support children left out of school, People for People partnered with SOS Children’s Villages to establish temporary classrooms and learning centres in the villages of Ighil, Tazalte, and Tafarghoust, remote mountain communities still heavily affected by the earthquake.
Together with the communities, the organisations built five classrooms using Better Shelter units. These spaces allow schoolchildren and women to study, gather, play, and learn while permanent school facilities are being rebuilt and children await the return of formal education.
“This place will help us study better and get extra support.“
Hamza, a student from Al Haouz, Morocco
Among the children now learning in the new shelters is Abdelfattah, a 15-year-old from the village of Tazalte. He dreams of becoming a football player. When the earthquake hit, he was at home with his family. “It happened so suddenly,” he said. “The tremors were so strong, and everything went dark right away. My brother was outside and he opened the door and helped us escape.”
Their house, like many others near the mountains, was completely destroyed.
“Our neighbour’s house had five floors. It collapsed completely,” he recalls.
Months later, Abdelfattah returned to school. To get there, he walked nine kilometres along broken roads, through landscapes still scared by the earthquake, where rocks sometimes fell. In winter, it was even harder. Heavy snow, cold temperatures, and short days made it difficult for him and his friends to stay after class to study, do homework, or simply spend time together.
Thanks to the temporary shelters built in his village that now function as an extra classroom, Abdelfattah and the other children can attend lessons, do their homework, and get additional support in French and English. They also have the chance to enjoy creative activities, like drawing.
“I’m really happy that we finally have a place to learn and study nearby.”
Abdelfattah, a student from Tazalt, Al Haouz, Morocco
After the earthquake, many women lost not only their homes but also their jobs and gathering places. Daily routines vanished, along with opportunities to connect, learn, and work. Today, the new shelters provide space for women to meet, study, and share skills. Here, they join literacy classes, sew, cook, and even earn an income from their work.
“We’ll use this place for sewing and learning, so we can rebuild our skills and get back to work.”
Jamila, a woman from a village in Al Haouz, Morocco
