“Among other things, the organization facilitates access to clean water in the most underserved rural villages of the country, educates rural children about water and sustainable development, supports women-led argan and cacti cooperatives, and empowers youth to participate in the development of their communities,” Abbes Banaissa, Dar Si Hmad’s Office Manager says.

Dar Si Hmad also invites international researchers and students to be a part of its inspiring work by facilitating academic and cultural programs, service learning, home-stays, and language classes in modern and standard Arabic, Darija ,and Tachelhit.

“Our field school does not only offer students a unique opportunity to engage with local populations and participate in locally-driven development initiatives, but also creates a platform for innovative dialogue and international research on an underrepresented region of Morocco,” Benaissa adds.

Dar Si Hmad believes students and faculty benefit uniquely from the opportunity to explore the diversity of the south and engage substantively in the initiative’s own rural development work.

“Currently, Dar Si Hmad hosts interns and student groups throughout the year who participate in critical, hands-on work tailored to their interests and skill sets. In addition to this service learning internship program, Dar Si Hmad coordinates numerous short and long-term travel courses and language study programs,” Benaissa notes.

Past course programs have included activities and discussions on Berber history and literature, argan production and the impact of female-owned cooperatives in this region, colonialism, trade routes and transaction practices, rural livelihoods, gender, religion, perceptions of healing and water, social justice, and portraits of a culture including cuisine, expressions, and rituals.

Additionally, Dar Si Hmad has a separate project called The Fog. The president of Dar Si Hmad, Dr. Aissa Derhem, had come across the technology of fog-harvesting through the NGO FogQuest when he was living in Canada in 1989.

“Also, for our pilot project, we serviced 5 villages located in the provinces of Tnine Amellou, Qaidat Mesti, and Sidi Ifni. The year-round resident population is about 400 individuals, including about 40 large households. In the summer when villages are fully occupied, we service a total of 80 large households, in addition to the livestock in the region. We have added villages regularly. Now we provide drinkable water to 15 villages,” Benaissa adds.

Learn more about them through their website.