As I reflect on 2023, I am reminded of the immense challenges that have tested the resilience of communities in Morocco. The devastating earthquake that struck the Marrakech region in September 2023 not only caused physical destruction but also left deep emotional and psychological scars I believe that in the aftermath of any disaster, the true measure of a community is not found in the wreckage, but in how it mobilizes in its aftermath. At Project Soar, we wanted to do our part and I am proud to share the strides we have made in our efforts. Recognizing that the impact of a disaster goes beyond the visible damage, our team prioritized mental health for students as a cornerstone of our relief efforts, building on our signature mental health workshops for teens We didn’t want these young people to lose their futures, as a result of this tragedy We quickly signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Education’s regional delegation for Marrakech-Safi and began work at the 10 boarding schools where middle and high school students who had lost their homes had been relocated. We hired and trained 12 Mental Health Mentors who worked tirelessly to help students better identify and manage their emotions, offering guidance, comfort, and hope to those struggling with loss In addition to our mental health support initiatives, we focused on addressing a crucial but often overlooked need: menstrual health. The disaster disrupted access to basic hygiene products, leaving many women and girls without essential supplies. In response, we hired and trained 10 Menstrual Health Mentors and launched a menstrual kit distribution program to reach women and girls across affected communities These kits, containing sanitary products and educational materials, not only provided immediate relief but also empowered women and girls to manage their health with dignity during this challenging time. An unforgettable moment was assembling 625 menstrual kits shoulder-to-shoulder with the Managing Director of the IMF and senior staff of the World Bank during their 2023 Annual Meetings in Marrakech.
The road to recovery is long, but with your continued partnership, we are confident that we can make a lasting difference. We want to especially thank partners who stepped in to provide us with disaster relief funding, including PeaceWinds Korea, PeaceWinds Japan, Project Hope, Global Giving, Kinder, the Canadian Embassy, the IMF and World Bank Beyond our work to support earthquake victims, we were proud to continue our core work to empower teen girls across Morocco and in Northern Syria. 2023 saw 643 girls graduate from our signature program to help teen girls understand their Value, Voice, Body, Rights and Path. Across Morocco, 1549 girls also mobilized to advocate for their rights and co-construct solutions in 87 dialogues with 4,366 community members A highlight was when BIGGER, the NGO coalition that Project Soar spearheads, was invited by the Ministry of Justice to present their amendments to the Family Code in order to close legal loopholes to child marriage. Our teen girl-led delegation made a lasting impression given the flurry of media articles that ensued. Our work is made possible due to the help and support of our donors, board members and you, our supporters! Your generosity and compassion have made our work possible, and together, we have touched countless lives I also can’t thank enough the tireless efforts of the Project Soar team – our team in our Marrakech HQ and our Soar women facilitators all across Morocco and in Northern Syria. As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in continuing this important work. Let us stand together, united in our mission to bring hope and empowerment to teen girls and other marginalized communities.Thank you for being a part of our journey.
Warmly,
Maryam Montague Project Soar Founder and Executive Director
Nonprofit organization, registered in Morocco and as a US 501(c)3
Established in 2013
WHEN WHERE
Morocco & Syria
Headquartered in Marrakech
WHO WHAT
Underserved teen girls
HOW
Signature empowerment solution and advocacy campaigns helping teen girls understand and fight for their:
V A L U E V O I C E B O D Y R I G H T S P A T H
The Soar Mission
The Soar Pledge
Project Soar in a Bag
Morocco 2023
Impact data
Impact data (PSB) Emergency
Menstrual Health workshops
reported a better understanding of how their bodies work during menstruation
reported a better understanding of how to track her menstrual cycle
of beneficiaries .03%
of Soar Girls passed the school year 99% of eligible Soar Girls passed the BAC1 Exam 88% of Soar Girls dropped out of school Soar Girls married underage 0 99% of Soar Girls plan to go to the next grade level
98%
understood how to use a reusable sanitary pad
reported a better understanding of how menstruations can cause physical and emotional discomfort
reported a better understanding of how to manage menstrual pain
99%
95% of the 779 students surveyed found the workshop useful
reported a better understanding of how to identify their emotions 93% a better understanding of how to manage their emotions
Mental Health workshops
PSB Morocco
Where we worked this year:
The Project Soar empowerment curriculum is packaged into a scalable, portable kit called Soar in a Bag - previously Soar in a Box - that provides all the tools needed for a team of 2 trained local women ‘Empowerment Facilitators’ to lead a ‘squad’ of 20 teen girls through the program. As a Soar Girl progresses through the curriculum, she undergoes a transformative process whereby she further develops her self-confidence; speaks up; embraces her adolescent body; fights for her rights; and sets future goals. Over the course of the program, girls are mentored to increasingly facilitate the program themselves, creating a sustainable mechanism that fosters self-mastery of skills attained and peer to peer learning.
Earthquake Emergency Relief Aid
Where we worked: Boarding schools and houses in Marrakech Safi region
Oulad Dlim
Madrassa El Atika Sidi Zouine
Dar Sraghna
Institut Cadi Ayad
Dar Rhamna
Sup De Co
Private University of Marrakech (UPM)
Lycee Qualifiant Mohammed VI
Center Idriss El Aoual ''2eme chance''
Assif El Mal (Chichaoua)
Ben Youssef High School
Cadi Ayad Junior High
Annakhil Junior High
Chouiter
Ibn Maja High School
Bir Anzarane
Toubkal
Allal El Fassi
Boarding schools and houses in Marrakech Safi region
Immediate Earthquake Emergency Relief
Menstruation does not stop in natural disasters. Despite an urgent need for menstrual products, vulnerable women and teen girl survivors of natural disasters often face menstrual insecurity affecting their physical and mental health and, for teen girls, their education as well. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), women are often hardest hit from natural disasters but the resulting response from the aid community is often gender-blind.
What did Project Soar do?
Reusable pads or underwear Bar of soap Bucket
Since September 8, 2023 when the earthquake struck Morocco, Project Soar has worked tirelessly to address the gender-specific needs of women and girls and reduce the shame by distributing menstrual products for teen girls and women from the areas hardest hit by the earthquake.
To date, we have provided thousands of menstrual pads providing a menstrual solution for hundreds of women and girls in need in the earthquake affected areas of Marrakech as well as orphanages and villages in the High Atlas Mountains giving them the ability to effectively manage their periods with dignity.
Thanks to 32,000
Single-use menstrual products distributed
Canadian Embassy Peace Winds Korea KINDER USA Global Giving + individual donors
Collaboration with IMF
& World Bank
to distribute menstrual products to earthquake affected villages
O l M s ch or
At this event on October 8, 2023, 625 menstrual health and hygiene kits were assembled for distribution to hundreds of women earthquake survivors in Asni, High Atlas Mountains.
Kristalina Georgieva, IMF Director
What was in the kit?
Founder & Executive
Director Project Soar
Maryam Montague & Moulay Ahmed El Karimi
Director of the Marrakech-Safi AREF
Movement to end child marriage
STAND
As King Mohammed VI has instructed new amendments to the MoudawanaFamily Code - Project Soar and the BIGGER Movement have been carrying on the efforts to raise awareness and advocate to end child marriage in Morocco
7 CSOs partners 225
Teen girls members
16
Teen girls’ led stakeholders meetings
With the generous support of CISU and Civil Connections, Project Soar was able to extend the BIGGER program via STAND, a program designed to equip community service organizaions (CSOs) with advocacy training. In September 2023, facilitators from 7 CSOs joined a multi-day training in Marrakech where they had the opportunity to learn about advocacy, effective tools for advocacy, and most importantly how to lead their squads in advocacy efforts.
14% of Moroccan women are married under 18 and 1% under 15? And the numbers are probably extremely higher, when considering unregistered child marriages, which do not appear in official statistics!
BIGGER AL OUIDANE
This year, Project Soar launched a regionally-specific campaign against child marriage in the Al-Ouidane community.11 Soar Girls from the AlOuidane community were trained to lead presentations and perform a play focused on a girl who experienced child marriage. Girls also led their campaigns by meeting with local stakeholders, and of particular note their school directors.
CHILD MARRIAGE THEATRE PLAY
With input from Soar girls, Soar staff developed “I Am a Girl,” a feminist theater play with a thematic focus on child marriage.
I Am a Girl tells the story of Asmae, a 15year-old girl from a modest home in a typical Moroccan neighborhood. Asmae’s father, Al Mokhtar, befriends Hamid, a 35 year old wealthy man. Eventually, Hamid seeks Asmae’s hand in marriage, leading her to become part of a statistic that 14% of girls in Morocco are married before the age of 18. The play outlines the remainder of Hamid and Asmae’s relationship in her fight against child marriage.
Building Resources to Include and Develop Girls’ Expertise Program (BRIDGE)
In 2023, Project Soar engaged more alumni than ever
Through funding from the Global Fund for Women, Project Soar launched BRIDGE commonly referred as GRADS, a project focused on preparing girls for their future through career development opportunities. The first year of GRADS was dedicated to mapping and surveying alumni across Morocco:
862 Alumni mapped & surveyed
535 Alumni members of facebook group
2 MOUs - Memorandum of understanding - signed with University Hassan II - Ain Chock in Casablanca & Cadi Ayyad in Marrakech
43 Girls attended an EFE (Education for Employment) training, on how to develop their CVs
10 Scholarships to study English
PARTNERSHIP
with the American Language Centre (ALC)
As English skills are becoming increasingly important in Morocco, Project Soar girls are eager to learn and improve their English skills. With generous support from the ALCs
Soar girls were granted scholarships 10 in Marrakech & Fez
PARTNERSHIP
with the Ministry of Solidarity, Social Integration & Family
We are thrilled to have signed a national partnership agreement to implement the project Family Bridge for Prevention against School Dropouts and the Marriage of Minors
PROJECT SOAR IN A BAG (PSB) IN SYRIA
Girls Soar in Syria is a program aimed at empowering internally displaced and at-risk hots community teen girls. This year Project Soar expanded our reach in Syria as part of Maryam Montague’s fellowship with Blossom Hill Foundation.
Since January 2023, Project Soar has had the opportunity to work with two partners based in Northwest & Northeast Syria: Takaful Al Sham (TAS) and Josor Asalam. Of note, targeted Syria’s most vulnerable girls including girls from Al Hol Camp, as well as girls with disabilities.
2 PSB locations
9 PSB squads
119 PSB workshops
5 PSB facilitators
16
111 PSB girls beneficiaries
9 Internally Displaced Teen Girls Girls with Disabilities girls formerly at Al-Hol camp
11
Emergency Relief
How did
we
support teen girls & their families in the aftermath of the earthquake
When the earthquake hit northern Syria on February 6, 2022, Project Soar provided the girls participating in our empowerment program with a menstrual solution and distributed menstrual pads to hundreds of girls, as well as food baskets, clothing, blankets and other basic and needed hygiene items.
Project Soar, in collaboration with MCISE, was awarded with a grant under the Pan African Equity Accelerator sponsored by UPS and Ashoka Arab World to raise awareness on allyship for gender equity in Morocco.
We developed a campaign Tshirt and partnered with 15+ Moroccan influencers, who attended a campaign training at Project Soar’s community center in Douar Ladaam.
BIGGER Health, funded by AmplifyChange
Employability project in partnership with SISAL
New collaboration to support teen girls in Syria, thanks to Blossom Hill and Sharon and Scott Nichols
& let’s not forget our core solution Project Soar in a Bag, to empower teen girls from marginalised and underserved rural areas
28 MAY 2023 MHM DAY
Impact
Global since 2017
36,000 Menstrual shame-free underwear distributed
397 Women Facilitators trained
138
5,760+ Direct Soar Girls empowered Soar Locations activated
9,510 Empowerment Workshops delivered
167 Soar Dialogues held
Meet Bouchra, Soar Facilitator in Guelmim
We are so lucky to have many inspiring empowerment facilitators at Project Soar, and Bouchra is definitely one of them! Bouchra is a nursing student and joined Project Soar to contribute to the defense of girls’ rights and because
“Our society does not give real value to girls” - Bouchra
“We should work with the youth first in order to change the society; We want a good one for our future”
As an active member of her community, she volunteers in initiatives related to children's education and cultural activities. She strongly believes in the power of education and women empowerment; as she and the other facilitators guide and encourage Soar Girls, she holds great hope for the next generation of women!
"I always encourage my daughter to go to Project Soar : with her new bike her motivation to attend will be further enhanced!”
- Soar Girl’s Father
It is estimated that 5.6% of girls in rural Morocco drop out of school. This phenomenon can be explained by various factors, among which the long and dangerous commute some girls face to reach their school, sometimes up to 2 hours walking distance.
Thanks to the generosity of donor 88Bikes, Soar Girls were gifted bikes so that their home-school commute is made safer and more accessible. So many girls drop out of school because of distance and en-route hazard: 30 Soar Girls are now now ready to whizz around on their new rides in complete safety!
The girls, accompanied by their parents, attended the event which was filled with emotion. The parents, showed great pride, joy and gratitude in knowing that their daughters will be able to attend school more easily!
$50,000-110,000
Peace Winds Japan
Project Hope
Trotula Fund
Civil Connections/CISU
Personio
$15,000-$49,999
Peace Winds Korea
Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives in Morocco (CFLI)
International Monetary Fund
Amplify Change
Blossom Hill Foundation
UNFPA Maroc
AFD - Expertise France
Blossom Hill
Global Giving
The Akharas Foundation
American Online Giving Foundation
$1,000 - 14,999
Augustin Huynh
Joseph Stewart
Larry Cooley
Thierry Marchand
Marina Fanning
Friends of Morocco
Shea Fontana
Sharon and Scott Nichols
Ernie & Jeanne Gabiati
Marin Community FoundationDiMarco/Harleen Charitable Fund
Cynthia Wainwright
Keith Granet
Elaine Case
David Labourdette
Louis Mitchell
Jody Cross
Sandra Clinton
Mike Halladay
Schwab Charitable - Tracy McColloch
Tripler Pell Giving Fund
Erika Brechtel Élanoura
Jamie Leigh
John Novotny
Aziz Nahas
Courtney Barton
Phyllis C. Meyer
Karen N. Nuccitelli
KINDER USA
Ashoka Collaboration Fund
Nataliya Borener
Paula Eaton
Gary Sklarew
Tawfik Hammoud
Seth Leighton
Erin Lewis
Butler and Michelle Eaton
Lila Brown - Lambert Bridge Winery
International Study Programs, s.r.o.
Charities Aid Foundation
Opportunity Collaboration Summit
Facebook
Lisa Moriyama Family Fund
Morans Liquor Works LLC
Julie and Rogers Weed
Gates Matching
88 BIKES
San Francisco Foundation
Karen Pfeifer
$500 - $999
Fouad Farah
Cyril Dumuis
Natasha Dadlani
Nitin Mitra
Rachid Rahib
Nancy Ryan
Amy Butler Design
Nancy Pendarvis Harris
Kathryn Greenberg
Kirsti Goodwin
Larry Salustro
James Pooley
Traci Thomas
Yaseen Jumaan
Marsha Perreault
Tina Davis
Kate Murphy
Devonshire The English Garden Shop
Monte Achenbach
Carson Fustes
Kim Dunham Leung
Gerrit Nicholas
Maureen Colvin
Jennifer Harr
Bridget OToole
Mandana Parsazad
Christy Sheerin
Dianne Sivulka
Nicole Perkins
Anna Egleston
Wafae Bouqayes
Tracy Martinez Heart + Souk
Donors Our Amazing
Project Soar has expanded core programming and launched new initiatives thanks to our supportive partners and generous contributors. We are particularly grateful for the generous support of our recurring donors Civil Connection/CISU, Personio and Trotula Fund, as well as our firsttime donors Peace Winds Japan and Project Hope. Because of the trust they have given us, we have been able to empower more and more underserved teen girls.
Project Soar staff & Soar Girls are deeply thankful for the heartfelt gifts from all donors of 2023
HQ Staff Team Soar
Executive Staff
Maryam Montague Founder & Executive Director
Kaydee Dahlin Director of Finance & Administration
Victoria Di Gaetano Comms & Development Coordinator
Touria El Kerroumi Cleaner & Cooker
Empowerment Facilitators
Amina Ouaddi
Nouhi Fatima
Laila Hasibi
Meryem Ezzite
Ouantar Ikram
Bouchra Aznkd
Khadija Ijioui
Awatif Atbib
Najowa Logmani
Nadia Guousla
Najia Lotfi
Radia Moudian
Khadija Baba
Hanna Akmach
Rabiaa Fatima
Jamal Nouhayla
Lamsiah Fatima
Sloulou Khadija
Sokaina Amazu
Lamyae Zhaoui
Ikram Bani
Souad Dahmane
Dahmane Laaziza
Aouijil Raja
Segaoui Zohra
Meriem Alqoh
Merrouni Afafe
Ghizlane Tahraoui
Aicha Aissa
Ajaiz Karima
Boukhari Naoual
Ikrame El Hijour
Imane Bziouite
Naima Boulaghla
Fadwa Zhaoui
Fatima Nouhi
Bouchra Talhata
Messaoudi Hajar
Sanaa El Ansari
Layla Sarir
Khadouj Saouab
Zineb Faris
Khaoula Mami
Salma Mami
Raja Chakir
Mama Mourtaki
Hasna Boudad
Salma Bouye
Habiba Meziane
Imane Essarghini
Khadija Boudrar
Chayma Mouyane
Dalila Chitach
Hajar Idaali
Loubna El Hassani
Kawthar Messaoudi
Latifa Akhsasy
Fatiha Idbdalaah
Dounia Mouyane
Soukaina Zaihour
Baha Benaadou
Chaimae Benadou
Fatima Zahra Zaaf
Ilham Guerfouss
Madiha Idgharenan
Hafsa El Korchi
Oumaima Beddiaf
Keltouma El Moustarhni
Fatima Zahra Zaaf
Soukaina Selimani
Maryem El Missioui
Kaoutar Ouchmani
Nisrine Oudra
Amina ait abderrahmane
Zaina Ait Ali
Fatimazzahra Jennah
Fouzia Essaiydy
Soukaina Amazu
Fatima Afkir
Ouanane Hajar
Hind Taqi
Meriem Toufiq
Naima Azzal
Aicha Ezziadi
Amina Abouri
Nawal El Fajri
Fatima Ezzahra Allaoui
Mariam Assouik
Kaouthar Hsaini
Mina Meziane
Meriem Britiza
Aya Lahmidi
Mental Health & Menstrual Health
Mentors
Maha Mezouar
Oumaima Mazouz
Kenza Cherkaoui
Soukaina El Farouk
Hafsa Mchiouer
Imane Tajidi
Safa Debbagh
Ghizlane Manyari
Wafa Ikhrazene
Ihssane Srairi
Yaakoubi Youssef
Sanae Chatir
Rabia Yakouti
Johaina Hachad
Kaoutar Tarbouch
Majda Bouimgare
Zineb Ben Yahya
Imane Hmaidat
Saida Zin
Ali Amendach
Mohamed Kaabouch
Mohamed Kerroumi
Thank you!
& Financials
INCOMING REVENUES
OUTGOING EXPENSES
Soar
prendre son envol
CalltoAction
Teenage girls have the right to pursue their dreams and ambitions, no matter how big or audacious they may seem. They have the right to express themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule Most importantly, they deserve to demand their rights and be heard.
Teen girls are powerful agents of change, capable of shaking up the status quo and breaking down the barriers that hold them back. So, let's celebrate teen girls' rights and continue to support their brilliance!
By making a donation, YOU can help to improve the world by giving teen girls the skills they need to become the leaders of today and tomorrow.
Contact Us
Residence Adam Angle Rue Abou Bakr Seddik, Hivernage, Marrakech, 40020
giveback@projectsoar.org
Follow Us
Facebook: @projectsoar
Instagram: @projectoar
Twitter: @projectsoar
LinkedIn: @projectsoar
TikTok: @project soar
Investing in teen girls is investing in the future of the women that they will become!
