S O T O G R A N D E
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
S C H O O L
2017 D1 CAS TRIP TO ASNI MOROCCO W E P ROMOT E SE RV I CE LE A RN I N G A S A F O RCE F O R GO OD I N T H E W O RLD
The D1 Trip to Asni is a key part of the IB Creativity, Action and Service Program (CAS) at SIS, which directly supports Association Tiwizi in Morocco, since 2008. This trip does not only enable our students to meet their CAS outcomes, but most importantly it offers a unique experience that develops intercultural understanding and community action. All 37 students got directly involved in working handin-hand with the Asni community members, engaged in new challenging experiences and built new friendships. SIS and The Kindred Project are enormously grateful for these unique opportunities and friendships that Association Tiwizi and the community of Asni continue to give us, year after year.
SHUKRAN, MERCI, THANK YOU!
“This was definitely the best experience of my life. I learnt so many things and realised so much. These memories will always stay in my heart.� Zeyna Bennani, D1 student
Reflection by Izzy Tate To look back on Asni is an overwhelming yet amazing memory and a life-changing experience. This trip has forever changed how I view and interpret global issues that are intertwined with our community. Helping from afar is a great
Association Tiwizi is a Moroccan non-governmental
commitment from our school but going to Asni and
association created in 1998,
experiencing how much we help makes a difference, changes
which works in the areas of
my whole perception of things. It is hard to find the right
education, socio-economic
words to describe Asni but it is an experience that I will never
development, environmental
forget. There were a lot of highs, but this does not exempt the
protection, capacity building
struggles. Although, without these struggles, Asni would not
and networking with the firm aim of meeting the social and
have shaped me the way it has. There are some funny
economic needs of rural Asni,
moments etched into my memory like “How are you, how are
as well supporting the
you?” and “YALLAH!” but the memory that has been
development of cultural and
imprinted in my memory is the day we left the association, as
sporting activities.
the sun was going down and seeing this young boy called Youssef crying. This was the moment I realised how much we
Sotogrande International School and The Kindred
impact their community but then it occurred to me, they have
Project have been working
affected me and forever changed me with these new
with Association Tiwizi since
memories. With what I have seen and learnt from these
2007!
wonderful people will stay with me for a lifetime and I have come to realise that I have made lifelong connections.
www.associationtiwizi.com
37 committed students 7 inspiring teachers 6 unforgettable days A LIFESHAPING EXPERIENCE!! 2
Thoughts from students These 5 days have been an incredible experience. Thank you for your kindness and your kind hearts. You have brought out so many smiles and I am happy to see that we have been able to do so too. Thank you for everything and keep doing the great work you do. Thank you Asni and thank you Tiwizi. Carmen PÊrez de la Blanca E, SIS D1 This trip was full of amazing experiences and a lot of memories were made; especially the trips to the girl’s boarding house, to the school, and when we had the evening activities with the local children. It made me realise how lucky I really am and showed me again that we often take things for granted, things that other people would sacrifice so much for. Thank you to all the people that are striving to help and create better futures. Sophie Carmine, ISOCS D1 student. This was an amazing experience! I will never forget this moment. I thank you for your hospitality. You guys have made me a proud Moroccan on this trip and I would love to visit again. Abdelbassir Bouhou, SIS D1 student.
Life changing experience; enjoyed the Islam talk. Thank you! Harry Nicholls, SIS D1 student. AKA: Mohammed X 3
In images…
Loreto, Vlad & Calum help to sort out all the donations we took down The ISOCS team conquers Asni to Asni Learning about the tradition of Moroccan tea at the girl’s boardinghouse
Nico tags the 40 donations bags taken to Asni Gash, a real magnet for the younger kids at the Association!
46 travellers, 17 nationalities!
Mr. Wix celebrates his “20th” birthday in Asni ;o)
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Skipping, a big favourite
Tanissa getting ready for her 12hr train ride to Marrakech; meanwhile in first class…
Preparing traditional dishes with the kindest Moroccan cooks
Final climb to the Association… pack light!
Our student reps, Ushi & Michelle receive a beautiful Moroccan tea set at the girls’ boarding house
Morning mindfulness session with Mr. Kievit… breath taking!
Girls at the college share their future dreams with the rest of the group
Intercultural exchange between SIS D1’s & High Atlas College D1 students, sharing ideas about their dreams
Road mending
Selfie-time!
All together! Painting the Association’s entrance wall
14km trek… stunning day!
Jacob helps to set up the IT room at the Association
Camel riding!
Afternoon fun educational activities with the little children
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Contributing towards… v 5 annual sponsorships for secondary students: €750 v Supply of annual school resources for 20 students: €1.000 v English Language Professional Development for Association Tiwizi’s staff: €1.000 v Construction of a typical Moroccan oven: €150 v Acquisition of 4.5kgs of honey produced by the Association: €80 v School resources and sports equipment for the girl’s boarding house and local children: €263 v Acquisition of packaging & labelling for organic saffron: €125 v Marketing material: (1) printing of 500 leaflets about Association Tiwizi, (2) design and printing of 500 leaflets for Tiwizi Treks: €167 v Various decorating projects at the girl’s boarding house and Association: €156 v Financial support for new association in the village of Imsker: €300 v Local income generating activities (camels, goats, etc.): €290 v Clothes & resources donations for the families most in need. v 2 second-hand laptops for IT and English skills development. v Set-up of dedicated IT room at the Association with 2 PCs connected to the Internet. v Road mending in the community. v Painting & decorating the Association’s entrance walls.
€4.280 invested thanks to KISS THE CASBAH & ISOCS 6
THANK YOU! Trips like this do not happen easily... We owe the following people a HUGE thank you! ∗ Hassan Edderjoun… for absolutely everything! You are a real change-maker. ∗ The staff at Association Tiwizi for your endless enthusiasm and caring nature. ∗ The staff and pupils at the Atlas High School for their extremely warm welcome, activities and the invaluable time spent with our students. ∗ Both Fatimas and the 50 girls at Tigmi N’Isti boarding houses for the interesting presentation about the tradition of Moroccan tea ∗ The 37 incredible students who took on this venture, with courage, positive energy, hard work and respect. Real ambassadors of SIS/ISOCS and global citizens! ∗ International School Of Central Switzerland (ISOCS) for trusting us and joining us on this amazing experience. It was a real pleasure to have you on-board and we look forward to welcoming you back next year! ∗ To the entire SIS community… students, staff and parents for supporting SIS’ and KP’s global citizenship values and fundraisings throughout the entire year. We couldn’t do it without you!
The Kindred Project (KP) was set up in 2010 by Sotogrande International School as an independent student-led Nongovernmental Organization. KP’s mission is to promote education as a force for good by enabling and empowering the voice of youth as agents of positive change within their communities and beyond. To achieve this, KP is currently working on a fouryear project called Force for Good, involving different community partners in Ecuador, Morocco, Spain and Uganda. This project aims to support these communities in overcoming poverty by means of increasing education quality and access, supporting social entrepreneurship models, as well as promoting values of global citizenship. Are you interested in working hand-in-hand with other young people and community members, here and abroad, to understand and overcome together some of the challenges faced?
Another amazing experience... Bring on Asni 2018!
YOU CAN HAVE A VALUABLE ROLE IN CREATING CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!
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