Dar Si Hmad Highlights of August 2020

 

Of all specialties, Education has always been the focus of Dar Si Hmad throughout its existence, August 2020 being no exception. From searching for funds to run future educational programs, to designing children-and-youth empowerment programs, and making one of our major educational micro-projects, a lot has happened during this month despite Corona constraints. Read through this article that features the highlights of Dar Si Hmad in August 2020!  

Following the online preparation for the third edition of the Summer Tech Camp and the celebration of Eid Al Adha in exceptional conditions, this year’s program of the camp also had to be readjusted to the context in terms of the content and the organization of the venue. This year’s sessions tackled specific needs of the beneficiaries and had us put special emphasis on the online learning methods that will indeed serve them in the upcoming school year. As for the organizational side of the camp days, Dar Si Hmad did its best to ensure the respect of all the sanitary measures that will prevent the participants in the camp and our staff too from being attained by coronavirus. More than 14 days have passed since the end of this year’s Summer Tech Camp, and no case of contamination with the virus has been declared from any participant in the program. Above all, this year’s edition marked a great success for our organization. We received very positive feedback from the beneficiaries and their families, and our internal evaluation of the program was also gratifying, for all the stress and obstacles that we were able to overcome fluidly.

Simultaneously, Dar Si Hmad, in the company of the members of FIKR NGO in Sidi Ifni, have been preparing the logistics and administrative procedures to launch school support courses for the children of the villages that benefit from our fog harvesting project. Our initiative could not go ahead as planned, but we do not give up as we are currently thinking of innovative methods that can help rural students catch up with their urban-based peers who have access to the internet that fairly facilitates receiving school content. In this regard, we also invite you to think and share with us your project proposal that can be implemented in the actual context of the communities we serve, you could also contribute.

In addition to our youth and children empowerment programs in the planning phase, our work on the agroecological project Afous Ghissiki is progressing and is promisingly growing, especially with the amazing job that Mustapha, the head coordinator of the program, has been doing since his recruitment. Our continued research on the biological control of the mealybug ( Dactylium Opuntiae) in the region of Aït Baamrane is also still on. And today we are looking into adapting the new research coming out of our University in Agadir to counter this bug with a biological predator to stop this invasive species that  threatens the source of livelihood of the local economy.

And as always, the month ends with our Green Friday which has hosted this time Mr. Tom Bebien, a recycling coordinator with Plastic Odyssey; the latter being a world expedition that fights plastic pollution. If you missed our live video with him, don’t worry, we have it recorded for you as an IGTV. And if you would like to see new and exciting forms of Ljamae Azgzaw… stay tuned!

An overview on the Summer Tech Camp 2020

Saturday 15th August 2020 wrapped up ten days of the third edition of the Summer Tech camp, organized by Dar Si Hmad for Development, Education and Culture. 

The camp offered an amazing learning opportunity for young unprivileged girls in Middle school or entering High School, to initiate them in technology and a better, safer use of the internet.  Each day the camp ran from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm with a communal breakfast and the launching of the day with an ice breaker activity for fully energized sessions.

The camp curriculum is inspired from the last editions of the Summer Tech Camp, Sifna Teknologia, with few updates based on this year’s beneficiaries’ needs. As its name indicates, the Summer Tech Camp’s main topic is "Technology," yet it features sessions related to critical thinking, to personal discovery, self awareness and to soft skills such as public speaking or team work that the girls will inevitably need both in their personal and professional lives.

The first day of the camp was all about introductions: the camp and Dar Si Hmad. We then played many games to discover more about the girls and build a solid network. We were impressed by the variety of talents that made up the program and the different skills the girls had:  some could sing beautifully, some played football (a predominantly male sport), some were iron ball players, some were active Turkish language learner, many were K-POP fans, and all loved gaming  and are passionate young women. 

Then, we established together the group rules, we call it our constitution, in order to guarantee a healthy, comfortable and enjoyable learning experience for everyone. 

After lunch we introduced the girls to the technical world of computers and the ABCs of web surfing. The girls were very interested in the new information and facilities they discovered, especially that they knew the internet through phones and many of them rarely use a computer. To apply what they have been taught, the girls were asked to do Webquests on different topics and share their results with their peers.

On the 2nd day, the girls watched a TED Talk video about the “Hole in the wall” experiment. Each one expressed her opinion about the experiment and how we can relate to it as technology knowledge seekers. Next, we talked about the difference between software and hardware. We practiced installing Mozilla Firefox and learned more about the facilities extensions we could bring to the web browser we used. ALEXA was one of the extension examples we focused on especially that it was needed for the workshop on sources of credible information, on detecting fake news, on avoiding illegal downloadings and plagiarism. The 2nd day was also the occasion for girls who do not have an email address to create one and write their first email. As new High-Schoolers expected to give presentations, we initiated them into powerpoint and Google slides use.

Day 3  started with an open discussion about the stereotypes girls have about the technology world. Followed by two Ted Talks about computer science and women in technology; the girls found more arguments to better express themselves about the topic. In the following session, the girls understood the principle of Wikipedia, its accuracy and practice advanced search Google offers.

“Video games” was an interesting session especially for those who love gaming, and they were surprised to discover the other side of video games through gender representation in video games. Girls realized how important it is to be aware of everything they consume from the internet. We then suggested some instructive games and clarified that learning can happen through fun games.

Given the current situation of the pandemic and the schools’ lockdown, we figured out that the girls will need a session related to online learning and the possible platforms that can be used for this end. The girls mentioned that they only used Whatsapp groups to study and did not know there were other platforms that would offer them a better virtual learning experience; that is when we introduced them to different platforms such as Zoom and Teams, and we eventually had a class simulation on Google meet. The girls learned how to launch a virtual class themselves and invite their friends.

To clarify the importance of self awareness we tackled on Day 3, the program of day 4 started with a session on critical thinking, its definition, steps and effective tools to shift one’s way of thinking. After a practice in which girls had to think and use their mental abilities, they had a workshop on DIYs and had free time to find a DIY idea and determine the materials they will need. In the afternoon, the girls had a workshop on digital photography that focused on practical techniques/criteria to take good pictures and edit them online in a way that would  guarantee an effective story telling. 

Day 5, we could not have the planned visit to the Berber Museum, closed because of the pandemic. We started the day with a discussion on museums, their importance and the girls' experiences in museums. We then introduced them to the platforms that can allow them to visit far away museums without moving from their chairs or buying a ticket. After that, we had a workshop on videography. We started the workshop by projecting the videos Khadija Amahal had made as a summary of the previous days of the camp. The girls were excited for the tips and the techniques of videography that would allow them to make such videos themselves.

At the end of the workshop we asked the girls to practice what they learned so far and make videos on their own about any topic they want. We gave them video ideas to guide their thinking; an interview, a set of pictures telling a story with a sound, voiceover or a vlog of a day in the camp.

Day 6 was a pause from the serious workshops and an opportunity for the girls to have fun through playing a variety of games that needed effective team work. The afternoon was solely dedicated to working on the DIY projects and presenting them in front of their peers.

Day 7 and back to serious work! The first thing we think about when we hear technology is the weird writing that we call a code, so it was important to include a session on coding and binary alphabet. Coding might seem very complicated yet if explained through games it becomes fun and easy to understand. In the afternoon the girls were introduced to AI artificial intelligence and had an open discussion about its uses in our daily life, its future and limits.

Day 8 was a personal discovery journey. Girls enjoyed taking personality tests and found out more about their strong points. The afternoon was a session on possible schools and majors the girls can pursue. Also, the girls were very excited for the exchange programs session especially that the facilitator Khadija told them previously that she had visited many countries through exchange programs.

Day 9 the girls had to work on their final projects (presentations and videos) so as to share them within the afternoon. Before the presentations we included a session on Public Speaking so that they have an idea about the way they should present their project. The girls’ final projects incredibly rewarded our efforts. Upon completion of the training, the participants seemed to take our feedback into consideration.

On day 10 participants showed their satisfaction about the training and they expressed wishes to take part in future programs organized by Dar Si Hmad.

Written by: Hanane Ben Belaid, STC assistant and facilitator

Summer Tech Camp 2019: Another Succesful Edition

Written by DSH intern, Ms. Salwa El Haouti

Additional to the multiple events Dar Si Hmad embraced during June of this year, the last week of the month has also witnessed the completion of the second edition of the Summer Tech Camp with satisfactory results. This educational program, which aimed at initiating underprivileged teenage girls to the digital world, also served girls with average prior knowledge on the use of the internet.

Although the main focus of this instructional program was the teaching of technology as its name indicates, the syllabi developed for the teenage beneficiaries comprised a number of other concerns all of which would certainly serve them on both the short term, as high school students, and the long term as active members in the job market and the society.

The first day of the camp was an opportunity for the beneficiaries to know one another and for the instructors to present an overall of the schedule of the week before inciting the girls to create their own classroom constitution. That session was also marked with the introduction to the technical jargon in relation to the computer, starting from the components of the hardware to the essential terminology that pertains to its software. The girls were also taught some ABC’s on surfing the web and were assigned some Web quests as a practice. Watching a Ted talk beforehand on the merits of being an IT girl and discussing it also contributed to maximizing the attention and interest of the Summer Tech Camp’s beneficiaries.

Day 2 was a continuation of the previous day’s lesson. This time, the girls were initiated to the web extensions and were offered examples on the ones they will most benefit from as young web browsers. Since all the girls are about to enter high school, it was necessary to show them how to use Google Docs and Google Slides. Above all, they were further instructed on how to detect real news and information from fake ones using internet tools, as they will be assigned to do divers researches from high school onward, all by giving the credit to the publisher of any content in order not to commit any plagiarism.

The third day of the summer tech camp started outdoors by visiting the local Amazighi museum of Agadir. This visit was an opportunity for the girls to learn and rectify many fallacious and erroneous ideas they once had on the Amazighi culture and history. The tour they had was intentionally planned to stimulate the girls’ curiosity on what one can learn in the museums and thus feel eager to visit more of them. Back in Dar Si Hmad, we guided them to websites where they could have a virtual 3D visit to internationally known museums such as the Louvre Museum in Paris. Having access to such content would definitely reinforce their overall historical and cultural knowledge, which will indeed benefit them throughout their lives. The afternoon of that session covered the right techniques of taking pictures and shooting a video, and also guided the girls to some editing platforms where they could modify and improve the quality of their pictures or make a short video film.

On the fourth day of the program, the girls demonstrated great interest and engagement with the course content. That day was consecrated to coding and Artificial Intelligence and had included many tasks for practice. The learners were then directed to some beginners’ coding websites, where they could learn and also practice the coding as they did inside the classroom. Each young girl by the end of the session has created an HTML web page, which comprised a head and a body where pictures and videos were also attached. In the last quarter of the day’s program, the focus was mainly put on the AI where the girls expressed clear astonishment at the level the technological field has reached.

The morning of day five was spent in the beach of Agadir. The girls had a blast playing competitive games with one another. They clearly needed a pause from the serious subjects they have tackled in class the previous days. The afternoon was also spared for them to make their own DIY projects where they gave vent to their creativity.

Similarly to the fourth day, the sixth one also evoked the engagement of the girls, but this time in deep discussion about themselves, how much do they know about their strengths and weaknesses and to what extent do they exploit their potential. The girls complained about the poor orientation they get in their schools about the educational prospects ahead of them, the organizing team of the camp also held a session of orientation where the girls’ questions and ambiguities were finally clarified. Moreover, scholarships’ opportunities for both high school and university students were also presented to the beneficiaries of the program, as they were also provided with tips on how to maximize their chances of getting one.

Day 7 was the last day of the camp and it was a chance for the girls to demonstrate what they had acquired throughout the week. The participants did a power point presentation on one of the various matters, which were treated during the program. The presentations were pretty inventive and originative as they tackled what they have learned from different perspectives.

Since this day marked the end of the camp, it, of course, included a number of fun activities before the participation certificates were given to the young beneficiaries. By all accounts, the week’s program described above is indeed a strong evidence on how successful the Summer Tech Camp of the year 2019 has been.

Preparation for Summer Tech Camp 2019 is Well Underway!

Written by DSH intern, Ms. Saloua El Haouti 

Our team preparing to receive summer camp beneficiaries 

After the huge success that the first edition of the Summer Tech Camp had achieved, the program’s team members have planned for another prosperous edition with the same objectives. Dar Si Hmad’s summer camp targets middle school girls from underprivileged families and aims at introducing these young teenagers to the basics of Information Technology literacy.

With that objective in mind, the Summer Tech camp team headed to Abdelali Benchkroun Middle School in Ben Sergaou, one of the least served areas in the suburbs of the city of Agadir. In this educational institution, many students are unaware of the fundamentals of using a computer. In fact, most of them don’t even have one in their homes and thus far fail to turn it on, as was noticed from the previous edition of the camp and was also demonstrated by the applicants to this new year’s program.

Jamila, one of the summer camp facilitators

Dar Si Hmad staff is entirely committed to this program, but we also have a great team dedicated solely to Summer Camp, which consists of 3 young sessions facilitators who work with us as part-time consultants; Ms. Imane Arjdal, Ms. Saloua Elhaouti, and Ms. Jamila Bendhi who are led by Dar Si Hmad employee Ms. Mazoud.

In order to fairly and accurately choose the appropriate beneficiaries for the Summer Tech Camp, the organizing team has meticulously considered the girls’ grades in language and scientific courses, their aspirations for the future, their objectives for participating in the program and, above all, their possession for a digital gadget such as a mobile phone and a computer as well as whether they have a Facebook account or make any use of the internet.

Orientation session at Abdelali Benchkroun

The priority was generally granted to the pupils with the least access to technology and the ones with the greatest motivation and desire to explore the utilities and wonders of the digital world. With the awareness of the merits, usefulness and power of mastering numerous technological tools in this era, Dar Si Hmad Summer Tech Camp’s team has prepared a comprehensive program that will enable the beneficiaries to maximize their profit of using the computer for personal and educational purposes.

In the first week of preparation, prior to the beginning of the camp, Dar Si Hmad held the opening doors for the parents of the teenage girls who were nominated to participate in this year’s Summer Tech Camp. After presenting the organization’s mission and objectives, the camp’s team members gave an overview of the project’s program to which both the beneficiaries and their guardians expressed great interest and excitement, all with sincere gratitude for creating such an enriching and free of charge opportunity for their children.

During our meetings with the parents of the students

The following days were dedicated to update the program’s syllabi. The Summer Tech Camp organizer and facilitators gathered to work on developing the different courses which tackled multiple topics from the basic digital literacy to artificial intelligence and coding. This year’s program also includes an in-depth exploration course for the personality discovery and the acknowledgment of one’s self strengths, in addition to a guidance session on the different career paths the girls can choose to follow.

Indeed, the Summer Tech Camp is meant to instruct young underprivileged girls on the basics of the various uses of technology. Nevertheless, the program of this camp also includes multiple entertaining and amusing activities to make the learning fun and to ensure that the girls’ experience in Dar Si Hmad would stay as beneficial and memorable as possible.

Ms. Mazoud, the camp manager putting the final touches

How GRACE came to be

Written by DSH Intern: Ambar Khawaja

First session of GRACE Program

If I could think of one reason why I am where I am today, it would be the multitude of strong female role models and mentors in my life. It has always been difficult to find representation of women that is versatile, powerful, and inspiring, but I am privileged to have seen and experienced women from all walks of life, each changing the world in their own way.

When I was musing over the kind of work I wanted to do during my gap year, I created a list of criteria my work had to meet in order for me to feel fulfilled. The key words were empowering, creative, and difficult yet possible. I chose empowering because I believe that women deserve to have choices in their lives, and what they choose should be up to them. I chose creative because this adjective encompasses all things the imagination can think of, and without imagination, the world would be stagnant. Lastly, the phrase, “difficult yet possible” was coined because I wanted to step far outside my comfort zone and try things that I had never done before. The work I wanted to do had to be feasible and able to be effectively implemented into whatever community I chose to work in. 

Ambar while she is teaching one of her classes

My original plan was to teach yoga and women’s empowerment to girls, but after talking with Jamila, the executive director of Dar Si Hmad, we realized this was not going to be possible. The language barrier between the girls and I was too difficult, so we decided to modify the program. We agreed upon teaching English because it was both achievable and something the girls needed but lacked outside of their schooling.

With help from Soufian, DSH project manager, and Hafida, DSH communication manager, we worked together pitch the idea to the school, develop a 2-month lesson plan for teaching the girls, and generate an acronym that reflected our vision. This is how GRACE (Girls Read And Communicate in English) was created.

Ambar and Hafida at the school supervisor's office

I have one group on Wednesdays and another on Fridays, totalling around 40 girls, and my classes last an hour and a half. It felt like a positive sign that we launched the first session only a few days after the international day of the girl. The first two classes mostly consisted of me adjusting to the different attitudes of the students and getting comfortable and confident teaching in front of the groups. Hafida was by my side for the first two classes, communicating the important information to the girls in Darija, but now I’m teaching solo for the rest of my sessions.

It has been quite the learning curve experience but hearing from the girls’ English teacher that they really enjoyed it and that more wanted to join made me feel like I was making an authentically positive impact, rather than falsely being helpful with good intentions. I really have never met such eager students who want to learn and answer questions like these girls.

Ambar and the english teacher
Ms Asmaa Ait Youssef

 In the second session, there were a few girls who had accidentally entered the classroom without realizing I was going to be teaching. They didn’t tell us until around halfway through the class, and when we asked them if they wanted to leave, they declined. They wanted to stay and do the activities with the rest of the class and when they had to leave early because of their schedules, they still wanted to show me their work before they left. My heart was overflowing, and I couldn’t stop smiling because I realized I had finally met all my criteria for meaningful work during my gap year.

I am very excited to see where this project goes, and my hope is that after I leave Dar Si Hmad, GRACE will grow to reach more girls with the help of future interns. Other schools were interested in the program, but it cannot be expanded right now because of lack of time and resources (there is only one of me); however, I will continue to give my all to the amazing girls I have been given the privilege to work with and hope that at the end of my time here, they will be more confident in their English abilities. And who knows, maybe that confidence will spread to other areas of their lives.

A selfie with one of the classes