When the Workman’s visited the Women’s Center back in March, Robert said that there was something in their joyful smiles and bright eyes that moved him to want to help. Some women in the Center are single mothers who are supporting their families, some are aspiring fashion designers, and some are future entrepreneurs. We experienced the light of their eyes and were moved by the conversations we had with many of the women we met that week.
One morning, we took a trip to a women’s co-op in the outskirts of Marrakesh. We walked into a small apartment and saw posters about domestic violence, nutrition and reproductive health awareness. We saw women laughing around a table, painting, sewing and reading. We talked to their leader, an amazing woman named Norah, who has made it her life’s mission to build communities in poor areas of Marrakesh, providing safety, literacy and sewing classes for women.
Norah is passionate about teaching women how to protect and provide for themselves. She proudly told us about the dozens of other co-ops that she runs free of charge throughout the city, some focused on gardening, others on childcare, others on raising chickens. She goes door to door in neighborhoods to invite women to the programs. She is creative in solving community problems and providing women with the resources and skills to truly meet market needs while increasing their personal skills and confidence. When we complemented her constant smile, she said, “Shouldn’t we smile when we are doing humanitarian work?”
Indeed and Amen.
Meg Merill was our trip photographer and said that this visit was one of the highlights of her trip. “It was so cool to see that these women who have close to nothing can still find happiness and independence in their lives. Their smiles were contagious and they were so welcoming to us! They can create amazing pieces of art out of just a few materials.”
We were so thankful that Norah shared her story with us, and that she provides a safe place for women to be seen and heard. We heard the sadness behind their stories, saw the shiny glimmer in their eyes, and felt the motivations of their heart. Not just the women we met in Morocco, but the six of us women traveling together on this trip. Email, phone calls and quick visits in the lunchroom are great, but something amazing happens when you have face-to-face, heart-to-heart time with one another over a couple of days. When you share your time, your heart, or your story, you make space for each other to say, “you too?” or “I had no idea” or “I’m sorry” and “You’re amazing. “
At the end of the day, we all are sharing a human experience. And part of that experience is connecting to each other. Being seen. Being Heard. Being smiled at. Being welcomed into another person’s story.
Thank you for being part of our story and the women in Marrakesh’s story, and we hope that as the Tifie Community grows, we get to be part of yours too.
