Biological Diversity Day

Today we celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity!  Biological diversity - or biodiversity - refers to all of the plants, animals, humans, and ecosystems living on Earth.  Within each ecosystem exists an intimate web of living creatures interacting with each other and with the environment. Every species, no matter how big or small, plays an important role in an ecosystem. The culmination of these diverse species interactions provides a wealth of biological resources that ultimately form the pillars of human civilization. Biodiversity underpins the very foundation of our lives, determining what we eat, how we dress, and where we build our homes. 

This special day seeks to protect the unique biodiversity we are so closely intertwined with and rely on. Sadly, biodiversity around the planet is decreasing. Human activity and natural phenomena are degrading the Earth's ecological resources. Even the smallest breakdown within an ecosystem can upset the entire system’s fragile balance. Habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change represent a serious threat to biodiversity and, consequently, human development.  

 

The 2016 theme, “Mainstreaming Biodiversity: Sustaining People and their Livelihoods,” is devoted to halting this downward spiral of biodiversity destruction. By protecting the natural resources that have made Earth a habitable place for us, we invest in the resilience and wellbeing of people, their lives, and their wellbeing. Preserving our ecosystems now will ensure they will remain for generations to come.  

The biodiversity of Morocco boasts more than 24,000 animal species and 7,000 plant species inhabiting the distinct ecosystems of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, the Sahara Desert to the east, the dense forests of the Rif Mountains to the north, and the Atlas Mountains stretching north to south and east to west. Agriculture plays a huge role in the Moroccan economy, employing nearly 40% of the workforce and representing 13% of the GDP. These agricultural ecosystems, however, are particularly vulnerable to overharvesting and climate change. By 2020, it is projected that Morocco’s water sources will plummet by 15 percent and affect approximately 1 million families.  

In the last Water School session on “Aquatic Ecosystems,” the children identified the different species living in and around Morocco’s water systems and learned that Morocco has one of the highest levels of fish diversity in the world. To understand how marine life is affected by human factors, they made their own edible aquatic ecosystems from blue jello, cookies, and gummy fish. Every time climate change, pollution, or overfishing were called out, they each ate one fish to represent the loss of a species.

The villages of Ait Baamrane in southwest Morocco, where Dar Si Hmad’s Water School and Fog-Harvesting Project are located, are especially susceptible to climate change and water stress. Through the Water School, children understand the importance of proper management of water and natural resources as well as how to sustain the vital relationships between humans and the natural environment to maintain healthy ecosystems we all depend on. Learn more about the Water School by watching our “Streaming the Water School” series on YouTube

To end the last session, Fatiha and six Environmental Youth Ambassadors, a group of six exceptional students selected from DSH’s RISE program, led review games from all of the previous sessions. They played the “solid, liquid, and gas” game and mimicked the behavior of each state of matter. To reinforce what they learned about the different animals around Morocco and where they live, four of the EYAs held up posters of the Sahara, Atlas Mountains, forests in the Rif, and Lexira Beach. When an animal was called, the children raced to the habitat it lives in. To end the day, the children, armed with magnifying glasses, marched from the dusty school yard to a field dotted with argan trees to practice identifying different plants and observing insects up-close.  

The EYAs assisting with this session are part of DSH’s new youth empowerment program that seeks to forge environmental partnerships between the rural youth of the Water School and the university students from Agadir. To empower young leaders to promote environmental sustainability in their communities, seven students from DSH’s RISE professional development program were selected to serve as EYAs: Abdelhaq Ait Boulhous, Oumhani Benhima, Salma Edrif, Rkia Elarif, Mohamed Ouabbou, Mohamed Moumin, and Mahdi Lafram.  As part of their EYA duties, they helped lead the final two Water School sessions on “Water for Sanitation and Hygiene” and “Aquatic Ecosystems” at the beginning of May. By facilitating some of the educational activities, playing games, and leading the nature walks, the EYAs led by example and served as role models for the children, showing them what they could one day aspire to be.  

A large component of the EYA experience is visual storytelling and environmental journalism.  The EYAs have also been documenting their experiences working with the Water School, drawing comparisons between the the flora and fauna of Ait Baamrane and Agadir, and confronting the unique environmental challenges both communities face through photography and videography. To hone their digital media and storytelling skills, the EYAs attended trainings led by Leslie Dodson, one of DSH’s consultants and a journalist with over 20 years of experience who has worked for Reuters, NBC, and CNN. With her guidance, the EYAs will be curating their own photo exhibition and environmental film series in the coming months.

Environmental issues in southwest Morocco do not receive significant attention or publicity, but by drawing awareness to these challenges through visual art and media, EYAs will have this opportunity to advocate for their communities on a local and international scale. Their work will be officially showcased at the COP22 conference to be held in Marrakech in November 2016, which will also be a space to spotlight the admirable efforts of Moroccan youth raising awareness about and fighting climate change and threats to biological diversity. Throughout the summer, the EYAs will be organizing events that spur collective action and contribute to sustainable local environmental solutions. To stay updated with EYA activities, check out their blog here.

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. With the Water School, RISE, and EYA programs, Dar Si Hmad seeks to empower Moroccan youth to take charge of protecting the biodiversity and ecology of their communities today for a more sustainable Morocco tomorrow. From the our office and EYAs in Agadir and the children of the Water School, happy Biological Diversity Day!

Cultural Diversity Day in Morocco

Happy World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development!

"Celebrating cultural diversity means opening up new perspectives for sustainable development and promoting creative industries and cultural entrepreneurship as sources of millions of jobs worldwide – particularly for young people and especially for women. Culture is a sustainable development accelerator whose potential has been recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by the United Nations."

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO

Arabs and Imazighen, gnawa and ahwach, couscous, tajine and m’smen, washed down with a cup of fresh mint tea. What do these all have in common? They all mix together in a way that is special to Morocco’s character.

 

For centuries, Moroccans from small villages in the snowcapped Atlas Mountains, bustling metropolises like Casablanca, and dry lands in the Sahara have gathered around a rich variety of music, food, and drink. While life in these three different landscapes looks vastly different, the exchange of ideas and peoples through trade and movement has created a beautiful blend of cultures that has come to be "Moroccan" - while a diversity of elements remain unique to specific communities.

Morocco is currently home to two major ethnic groups, the Arab and Amazigh (or Berber) - but each of these groups has many subcultures, the two have been integrating for centuries, and many others have left their mark on the country's culture.

The Imazighen are the region's original inhabitants. Arab communities came to North Africa in the late 8th century BC during the Islamic conquest. The interplay between these two cultures has come to define Moroccan culture. Listening to the radio, it is not uncommon to come across the soulful sounds of Arab icons such as Oum Kalthoum, the mesmerizing string instruments in gnawa originating from the Sahrawi people in southern Morocco, and the cacophony of lively chants found in ahwach typical of Imazighen. While couscous and tagine are popular dishes the country over, regions add their own special flairs to make them distinct

By commemorating May 21st as World Day Cultural Diversity and Development, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) urges us to deepen our understanding of cultural diversity and to advance the goals of UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Diversity of Cultural Expression adopted in 2005. The day reminds us of the power and importance of culture and encourages people and governments to:

• support sustainable systems for overseeing and protecting culture;
• achieve a balanced flow between cultures;
• increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals;
• integrate culture in development; and
• promote human rights and freedoms.

Dar Si Hmad's full name is "Dar Si Hmad for Development, Culture and Education". Celebrating culture, valuing diversity, and promoting intercultural exchange is core to the organization's identity. We believe that culture is a powerful way to initiate dialogue, build understanding, and develop communities.

Agadir, where our main offices are located, is positioned in the center of Morocco and is widely considered as being the midway point between the north and the south of the country. "Bab Sahara", the gate to the Sahara, is located just south of us. A crossroads of sorts, Agadir offers easy access to the many different cultures of the people originating from surroundings areas. The city is a handy launch from which people can discover and interact with Moroccan culture in its many forms

Our Ethnographic Field School (EFS) program makes the most of this and our belief in the power of culture. EFS courses promote cross-cultural understanding and exchange. In the typical warmth of Moroccan hospitality, Dar Si Hmad regularly opens its doors to international researchers and student groups to discover Southwest Morocco through the EFS program. International researchers and students can benefit from curricula designed to uncover the many facets of Moroccan culture through language courses, excursions, and interaction local communities.

 

Our Ethnographic Field School focuses on learning through interpersonal interaction, promoting local cultures by facilitating honest and equitable visits with foreigners hoping to learn and share. EFS has inspired researchers and students to undertake academic research projects and engage with communities in southwest Morocco. During their time here, participants learn everything from how to press argan to create oil to darija (the Moroccan Arabic dialect) and Tachelhit (the local Tamazight variation). Students explore women's handicraft cooperatives, village traditions, and musical forms.

Dar Si Hmad believes that these face-to-face interactions enable learning to go both ways. Celebrating cultural diversity is about appreciating and sharing your own while engaging with others'. The experiences that both local and visiting EFS participants carry with them reshape perspectives of the other - in the rural homes of Southwest Morocco and the urban homes of Midwest America. Encounters become the catalyst for eye-opening conversations surrounding Morocco and the world.

On this World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Dar Si Hmad encourages all of you to step outside of your comfort zones, look carefully at your surroundings, and discover how you can impact those around you and develop your communities by seeking opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue.

RISE & THRIVE Common Core: Passion and Enterprise

Our RISE & THRIVE Programs work with Agadir youth to build their employability skills, entrepreneurial potential, and community engagement drive. At the end of each topical module, students from all of the classes come together for a Common Core Conference to hear from and get inspired by an expert in the field.





On Friday 13 May, RISE & THRIVE participants concluded their fifth module on "Entrepreneurial Logistics". More than 116 students attended "Turning Your Passion Into Profits". Zai Miztiq, an author, international speaker, entrepreneur, and coach from Singapore, shared her experience with launching multiple businesses. All of her businesses were inspired by her passions, providing a powerful example of how personal interest can lead to professional success. Her story encouraged young Moroccan participants to reflect on their passions and hobbies in ways that help them identify profitable opportunities.

Water RISEs: Pollution Outcry

Today on our World Water Day Reflection Series, we see a series of photography capturing issues of pollution by Mohammed Ouabbou.

Artist Biography

A twenty-one-year-old Agadir native, Mohammed graduated in Science (A-level) from Abdellah Ben Yassine High School and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics and management at Ibn Zohr University.
Mohammed is currently a participant in Dar Si Hmad’s US-MEPI RISE program. This program has helped him improve his self-confidence, leadership potential, how he works in a team and shares his views with others. Mohammed is also in RISE’s Journalism Club, which is an opportunity for everyone to exhibit their talents. He is also a member in Ibn Zohr’s Be Positive Club, Youth Forum for Democracy and Citizenship, and Student Ambassadors for Peace. Recently Mohammed has started playing Capoeira, and he loves I traveling, playing chess, and drawing.


Artist's Statement

L'homme aujourd'hui est menacé de plusieurs dangers au niveau du globe et la pollution vient en tête de ces danger. Les images ci-dessous capturées à l’embouchure de la rivière Oued Souss représente un exemple parfait de la pollution, il s'agit des surfaces souillés et des taches d'eau contaminées non pas seulement par les eaux usées des usines mais aussi par les eaux usées des maisons qui contiennent parfois des substances toxiques tels l'acide chlorhydrique, l'eau de javel et le détergente. Pis encore les matières et les sac en plastique qui sont jetés dans les toilettes et en plein nature. Or ses produits ne sont pas biodégradables; il ne se dégradent qu'au bout de plusieurs siècles.
Les conséquences de cette forme de pollution sont multiples que désastreuse, à titre d'exemple, les produits chimiques toxiques qui emplissent la rivière ont entraînés la disparition de plusieurs espèces animales comme les oiseaux et les poissons, ces derniers que les pécheurs se plantent de leur mauvaise qualité dans des places de pêche à proximité de l’embouchure.
En dépit, la pollution n'est pas une fatalité, il existe des solutions pour mettre fin a ce fléau, les compagnes, l'école, l'internet, et les différents mass média ont un rôle important dans la sensibilisation auprès des citoyens et des industriels et un autre rôle dans la pression sur les gouvernements pour mettre à jours les lois qui interdisent et empêchent d'avoir des tels comportements qu'on a motionné avant. Enfin, la lutte contre la pollution est impossible si qu'on ait pas de la volonté a y mettre.

Across the world, mankind is threatened by several dangers. Pollution is at the top of this danger. The images below taken at the source of the Oued Souss River show a perfect example of pollution. It exposes dirty surfaces and water spots contaminated not only by sewage water from factories but also sewage water from homes that often contain toxic substances, such as hydrochloric acid, bleach and detergent. In addition to these materials, plastic bags are thrown into toilettes and nature. Since these products are not biodegradable, it will not degrade for another several centuries.
The consequences of this form of pollution are numerous and disastrous. For example, the chemical products that fill the river have led to the disappearance of several animal species like birds and fishes, the former of which fishermen plant themselves in their bad quality in fishing spots close to the source of the river.
Despite this, pollution is not an inevitable destiny. There are solution to end this catastrophe. Companies, schools, the Internet and different mass media outlets play an important role in raising awareness citizens and industries, and another role in pressuring the government to end the laws that prohibit and prevent having such behaviors mentioned above. Lastly, the fight against pollution is impossible if one does not have the will to do so.

 

To learn more about RISE, please visit http://www.darsihmad.org/rise-thrive/. To hear more from Agadir's youth, check out Dar Si Hmad's Journalism Club, Agadir Rising.

Water RISEs: "This is life!"

When we challenged our RISE participants on World Water Day to creatively express the importance of water, we received submissions in all kinds of formats. Rkia Elarif responded with a beautiful poem, originally in Arabic, which we have translated. Thank you for your powerful words, Rkia!

انه الحياة !!

و الشمس في مشرقها و مغربها

تعكس أشعتها الذهبية

على أمواج البحر الفضية

و ذاك الشلال

و تلك البحيرة

و الأطفال الصغار على الوادي

و أمي القادمة حاملة جرة المياه

في الحر و وقت الشتاء

و حقنا لن يضيع بنا

و عطاك كيف يا الله ينقضي

و الماء العذب الزلال يروينا

و دهشتي أنا ….

ما بين هذا و ذاك

و ذاك المغتر كيف لي به نصحا

أو يسترشد الغافلون ….

من لم يرى في الماء نعمة

فكيف يراها حياة ـ

حياة !!

This is life!
The sun in its rise and set
Reflects its golden rays
On the waves of the silver sea
That waterfall
That lake
Young children over the valley
My mother coming carrying a jar of water
In the heat and in the wintertime
Our right we will not be lost on us
Oh Allah, the endless goods you give us
Freshwater quenches us
To my surprise...
Between this and that
And that arrogant person, how can I advise him
Or seek advice from the oblivious
Who do not see that water is a blessing
So how does he see water as life -
Life!


Biography

My name is Rkia Elarif. I was born in a town named Addar – Sidi M’Bark near Sidi Ifni on 20 June 1994 and did my primary school there. I graduated from high school in Lakhssas in June 2012 and from the University of Arts and Humanities Ibn Zohr with a bachelor of arts in English Studies –Linguistics in August 2015. Since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated by reading and writing. They give me the ability to create my own world. I had no close friends, but my characters are mine. I love learning about different languages and cultures, especially about Italian and the British culture. I have been practicing yoga since the first day in 2014. I always believe that there are a lot of new things to be learned in this life, that’s why I like to treat my mind like a valuable gem by feeding it with beautiful things. Being a part of the Journalism Club and RISE program are one of those things.

Artist's Statement

All of us are witnessing big changes happening around us because of water and the multiplicity of natural resources of water, such as seas and waterfalls…the lovely image they add to nature and their role in the continuity of life, of human beings, animals and nature. But some people are just wasting water by using it without any control. At the end, I have come to the conclusion that water equals life and that is more than a blessing. Through the lines of this poem, I tried to visualize what water means to me as rain and its priceless appliances that I am seeing in my own life.




To learn more about RISE, please visit http://www.darsihmad.org/rise-thrive/. To hear more from Agadir's youth, check out Dar Si Hmad's Journalism Club, Agadir Rising.

Water RISEs: Without Water There Would Be No Life

This week we are showcasing the work of Agadir's young people reflecting on the importance of water. Our RISE participants responded to our call for World Water Day with original drawing, photography, poetry, and research. Today, Youssef Oumamou shares with us some water facts and reminds us of its incredible importance.


Without Water There Would Be No Life





ALLAH says in the Holy Quran, surat al isra ''... and we made from water every living thing ''. This verse is enough for us to demonstrate the importance of water in our lives, and we are not exaggerating if we say that Allah made of water trove password for every living thing on this planet, and without water there would be no life any more.

Scientifically speaking, Water is a chemical compound of two atoms of Alheirugen and one atom of oxygen. Universal researches pointed out that Water is the most abundant compound on Earth's surface, covering almost 70 percent of the planet. In nature, water exists in liquid, solid, and gaseous states. what is more, is that Water makes up 50% to 80% of the human body.

According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. The skin contains 64% water, muscles and kidneys are 79%, and even the bones are watery: 31%.

What is interesting is that million people lack access to an improved water source. In just one day, million of women collecting water for their families , which is most of the time is such an Unsafe water. Because of its unsafety , 200 children every hour are killed . Researches have shown that 80% of all illness in the developing world is water related. In some countries, less than half of the population has access to clean water. What is even worse , is that sometimes and in some places the unsafe water is not longer the problem .The real problem is the luck of water resources, some people spend hours collecting water for the sake of surviving especially in Africa . This is derived from the fact that a person can live about a month without food, but only about a week without water.

Many projects have been established and created to solve the problems of water be it water scarcity or water unsafety. One of them is Dar Si Hmad-Fog project . Dar Si Hmad has built the world’s largest fog-collection and distribution system to serve rural on Mountains in Southwest Morocco. Darsihamd tend to do this for the sake of solving many problems that are faced by people in rural areas including but not limited to Scarce water, compromised wells and climate change-induced droughts. In darsihmad water project , the best-known and modern techniques are used in collecting clean water . The collection is a system to collect fog in a non-invasive,which is , in fact , an ecologically friendly way in regions where fog abounds.

To sum up, as the Lloyd Axworthy, Foreign Minister of Canada, said ''Water has become a highly precious resource. There are some places where a barrel of water costs more than a barrel of oil". This is said to show the significant role of water in our daily life as well as the importance of the rational measure toward it.




Author Biography

Youssef Ouamamou is a 22-year-old from Ouarzazate in southwest Morocco. Youssef is studying English at Ibn Zohr University, where he is particularly interested in linguistics and journalism. His bi-cultural background and focus on community collaboration has led him to a number of volunteer opportunities and community leadership roles. Since 2011, Youssef has been doing volunteer work and activities, and he enjoys working with children in many associations and youth homes. He believes that if we want to make a change, then we have to teach and guide our kids. By doing this, a new, well-mannered and well-educated generation will be born. In November 2015, Youssef was selected to participate in US-MEPI RISE program, a one-year program of building personal and professional capacities, organized by Dar Si Hmad. He participated because he wants to rise to the challenge of improving himself and to prepare for the real world after university. Youssef is also a member of Dar Si Hmad’s Journalism Club, where he and his friends express their ideas in the form of photos, art, poetry, and written pieces. Besides studying, Youssef enjoys playing football and basketball along with doing volunteer work for the sake of helping, improving, and developing his community.


Author's Reflection on Art and Journalism

Artwork is something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings. That is to say, all works that are created by artists - paintings, sculptures, etc. - are created to be beautiful or to represent certain thoughts or emotions. For me, art is the best valuable, sophisticated, and elegant way of expressing one's feeling and ideas. I chose writing as one of the forms of expression because I agree, as most people do, that writing is a medium of human communication that represents language and emotion through the inscription or recording of signs and symbols. In fact, artwork in general, and writing in particular, is about trying to find information. Also, one's writing voice is the deepest possible reflection of who he or she really is. In our Journalism Club, a real space is provided to create, draw, and express the world around us and to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. All in all, without writing there would be no future for our kids, and without writing there would be no change, no development, and no well-educated generation.




To learn more about RISE, please visit http://www.darsihmad.org/rise-thrive/. To hear more from Agadir's youth, check out Dar Si Hmad's Journalism Club, Agadir Rising.

Water RISEs: A Picture's worth 1000 Drops

This week we are showcasing the work of our RISE participants reflecting on the importance of water around the world. Yesterday we introduced "Water...the Hero!", an original drawing from Abdellah Boutarama. Today we are excited to share the beautiful photography of Zahra Ketoun.

Artist Biography:

My name is Zahra Ketoun, and I am a 21-year-old girl from El Kolea in Agadir. I am pursuing my degree in linguistics at Ibn Zohr University’s Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences. I am a young girl passionate about art in general, specifically photography. I love playing chess from time to time and reading novels, especially those about Moroccan culture and mysteries. I read a lot of Abdellatif Laabi, Ahmed Sefrioui, and Jane Austin. Traveling is also among one of my favorite hobbies, since it helps me discover new horizons and get to know new people. As a young girl, there are many challenges around me, but I don’t hesitate to take on any challenge in my life because I know it will increase my experiences and refresh my ideas and views of the world.



Artist's Statement:

My experience with International Water Day helped me explore my talent in photography and try to capture shots where water is the main issue. The purpose is to remind humanity, starting from my small community, of the importance of water in our life and how it is the thing we should preserve for generations to come. We don’t want living species on earth to suffer one day because of our indifference. Before taking those pictures, I was looking for the right scene to express my intentions and to best suit the idea in my mind. I tried to tackle the present as well as the expectations for the future. The misuse of water taps, the lack of water, and species suffering were the main issue I dealt with in my work. I hope we, the photographers, transmit through our pictures strong messages to humanity about this essential element which is about to disappear. As we always say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”



1: About to Die




2: I'm Thirsty




3: Illusion




4: Save Me




5: Suffering Tap




6: Water Tap





To learn more about RISE, please visit http://www.darsihmad.org/rise-thrive/. To hear more from Agadir's youth, check out Dar Si Hmad's Journalism Club, Agadir Rising.

Water RISEs: Agadir Youth Reflect on Water

Dar Si Hmad's RISE Program equips young people in Agadir with personal and professional competencies that enhance their employability and entrepreneurship potential. Many of our RISE participants have a particular passion for journalism and have used their time with Dar Si Hmad to form a journalism club. Agadir Rising shares the stories and passions of these young Moroccans. Their blog includes articles, opinion pieces, artwork, poetry, graphic design, and stories about a wide range of issues.

As part of our celebrations for World Water Day, Dar Si Hmad challenged our RISErs to tell us what water meant to them for a special edition of Agadir Rising. This week, we'll highlight five beautiful submissions we received through a variety of media.

First up is a powerful piece of original artwork by Abdellah Boutaramat called "Water...the Hero!"




Artist's Statement:

Personne ne peut nier l’importance de l’eau comme étant une condition fondamentale pour tout être vivant sur cette planète ,cependant plusieurs aspects de pollution et de gaspillage renvoient à la non-rationalisation de son utilisation ,ce qui menace en permanence la vie des millions des êtres.
Le dessin tente de mettre sur la même scène la place fondamentale occupée par l’eau (la goutte d’eau qui porte sur les épaules toute la planète) et la crise frappant les ressources hydriques, provoquée par les facteurs de pollution représentée sur le dessin par « l’effet de serre » .En outre, la caricature essaie de mettre en évidence la souffrance de la goutte d’eau qui ne peut plus supporter la lourdeur du fardeau surtout après avoir subi une ‘ perte de poids’ importante. (gaspillage)

No one can deny the importance of water being a fundamental condition for all living beings on this planet. However, several aspects of pollution and waste return to the irrationality of its usage that permanently threaten the lives of millions of beings. 

The design attempts to put on the same scene the fundamental place occupied by water (the drop of water that all the planet carries on its shoulders) and the crisis affecting water resources, provoked by pollution factors shown on the drawing by ‘the greenhouse effect.’ In addition, the cartoon attempts to shed light on the suffering of the drop of water that can no longer support the heaviness of the burden especially after sustained a significant ‘weight loss’ (waste).

Artist Biography:

Je m’appelle Abdellah Boutaramat, un jeune marocain âgé de 21 ans, originaire de Tafraout. Je suis actuellement Etudiant en 3ème année à l’école nationale de commerce et de gestion d'Agadir. Je suis passionné de différents genres de l’art, notamment la peinture, le dessin, la caricature et la poésie. Ces quatre catégories représentent, pour moi, les quatre dimensions d’un autre monde ou l’imagination est un dieu, qui m’autorise de m’exprimer en toute liberté et sans limites tout en me libérant du stress frappant, en permanence, mon quotidien. J’ai participé à plusieurs compétitions et ateliers de formations concernant les catégories pré-mentionnées afin d’exercer mes passions et ainsi affiner mes talents. Il m’arrive tantôt de gagner des prix et tantôt de gagner « l’expérience » mais jamais perdant car, au fond de moi , je crois toujours que l’échec d’aujourd’hui sera la réussite de Demain.

My name is Abdellah Boutaramat, a 21-year old Moroccan originally from Tafraout. I am currently a third year student at the Ecole Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion (National School for Trade and Management) in Agadir. I am passionate about different genres of art, notably painting, drawing, cartoons and poetry. These four categories represent, for me, the four dimensions of another world where imagination is a god, which allows me to express myself freely and limitlessly while releasing stress and escaping from my daily routine. I have participated in several competitions and development workshops concerning the aforementioned categories in order to practice my passion and refine my talents. Every so often, I win prizes or win ‘experience,’ but never losing because deep inside I always believe that failure today will be success tomorrow.

To learn more about RISE, please visit http://www.darsihmad.org/rise-thrive/. To hear more from Agadir's youth, check out Dar Si Hmad's Journalism Club, Agadir Rising.