CASABLANCA

I finally joined the world of the living this morning, and nibbled at a bit of breakfast. No appetite and leery of food right now.  We walked down the Médina the last time to catch our ride to Casablanca. It seemed so deserted and quiet and just a few stalls starting to open. We had a 5 hour ride but stopped along the way as the terrain changed back to a more coastal clime. The freeway was clear and we saw orchards of olives, and pomegranate. Two big crops of exports. Tourism is the is the #2 money maker after agriculture in Morocco. This trip had been filled with many unexpected and interesting experiences, and today we had another. We visited a social service as soon as we reached Casablanca. This is in a country with many benefits, but not too many social services. Morocco is progressing in so many things, but being a Muslim country brings with it old ways and taboos. One is their “moral law” on premarital sex. If a woman (not a man, of course) becomes pregnant before marriage......it is a huge stigma and she is usually ostracized by friends and family, has NO financial support, will even seek abortion in a country where that is taboo. A Moroccan and Muslim nurse saw this need years ago...a need to support women who have had children and need a support systems... she started a safety net called “Association of Feminine Solidarity to support unmarried woman and their children. As one may imagine she was met with strong opposition for years and years, but finally has made in ways to this problem in Morocco , and at this time they have over 500 applicants a year and fully support 24 women AND their child for 3 full years. This means a small apt.

nearby and day care for the child, and 3 years of school and trade training, with the solution being a woman can make a living and take care of her child and not be separated. We toured the facilities, which were right in the middle of town. We saw the children having lunch, and then we were served a delicious lunch by the students who are learning cooking. We also had SO MANY questions. We were joined by one of the staff to answer our questions, but she only spoke French. Mohammed to the rescue, with his excellent French and did the interpretation...but, still it is a long tedious process. We were all so impressed with this program...especially in a very conservative country...that is still very much dominated by men...........but hope...things ARE changing, and when the KING of Morocco gave his support to this program....it became acceptable.