Latest news with #HighAtlasFoundation
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
USAID Bears The American Identity
Yossef Ben-Meir Marrakech What an agency, organization, or even an idea becomes will always resemble to some degree—though it fluctuates across time—the inspiration at its inception. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was born from the US Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, and it enshrined for the first time in the short history of international development assistance the concept of people's 'participation' in their own change and growth. Now, generations later, based on evaluations world-wide across cultures, we know that the local beneficiaries need to be integral to the design, management, and evaluation processes in order for initiatives to provide continued gain for the people. Development today, beyond any doubt, has revealed that the longevity of initiatives is primarily determined by the measure of participation. USAID was spawned on this idea, majorly pioneering the principle that beneficiary decision-making on the projects that impact their lives drives sustainability. USAID was also founded on a corollary, indelible concept: poverty alleviation that addresses the economic, social, and environmental conditions that oppress people and deny them livelihood and peace is, in and of itself, the high purpose. Geopolitics is not the single or even primary factor for gaining assistance through USAID. Rather, uplifting humanity from the tortures of extreme poverty, disease, and catastrophes is its calling. USAID delinked assistance being only provided to contain the Soviet Union. Human suffering, wherever it may emanate, is worthy of our attention and eradication. How these central concepts of USAID unfold in those nations of the world where it is invited is particular to the situations in which host nations find themselves. For example, the experience of the High Atlas Foundation in implementing USAID's Dakira cultural preservation program in Morocco (concluded at the end of 2024) ensured that today's young people sincerely internalize their nation's indelible heritage of Muslim, Jewish and Christian solidarity, integration, and shared experience and partnership for survival and growth. This is a priority held by the government and the people of this North African, Islamic country, and USAID provided the support for it. In a world where religious-based strife, misunderstanding, separation, and even violence is ever present, worrisome, and unsustainable, the governments of Morocco and the United States together recognized that the kingdom's experience and its domestic and global knowledge-sharing provide an inspiring model for young people and policymakers. In fact, interfaith collaboration is not only essential for peace, but our best development and growth depends upon it. Morocco stands for intercultural dialogue and connectivity leading to livelihood, health, and education. It is not only a necessary, most viable pathway for itself but is an emblem for the world. USAID not only saves lives through the provision of essential medicine, food, and support in the face of overwhelming disaster, but it also is a critical partner in advancing American ideals with nations who also strive for a more perfect union and inspire others through their journey. To be sure, there is an undeniable phenomenon among organizations and agencies as they grow and naturally change over decades. In time, it becomes increasingly difficult for any entity—including religions or institutions, be they public, civil, academic, or private—to remain absolutely true to the original vision that launched them. How recognizable would nations of the world be to their founders? How recognizable are conglomerates to their original creators or religions to the prophecies that begot them? There may be no greater challenge for any collective body than to remain consistently true to the original mission over time. Certainly, the High Atlas Foundation, dedicated to change driven by the people, finds it increasingly difficult to launch every action in every location with empowerment and building self-belief and confidence as the essential beginning. It is very difficult. So, too, USAID needed to return to its community participation roots. With its necessary, admirable commitment to implementers' financial, programmatic, and reporting compliance, USAID began to heavily rely upon larger organizations to administer local actions around the world. Those organizations in turn partnered with national organizations working at the local level. USAID re-emphasized that localization enacted alongside indigenous civil and private groups is critical for effective development. The lessons in international development generated by USAID have profound implications for the United States' internal growth. For example, cultural preservation efforts in Morocco, financed by USAID, underscore the centrality of interfaith partnership for achieving sustainable benefits. That vital lesson should be a guide for the White House Faith-Based Office, which stretches across federal agencies. Community managed economic projects point to how decentralized administrative systems emerge from carrying out such actions. This points to ways the U.S. federal government can strengthen the enduring core of the country, which is its federalist system. Yes, USAID promotes a more stable and prosperous world and helps to alleviate immediate suffering, but it also brings home vital lessons to promote the U.S.' own best growth. The Farmer-to-Farmer Program, for example, enabled U.S. agricultural experts to devote millions of hours to share their vast knowledge with nations of the world. What they have learned during their volunteering with communities abroad has enhanced their own work, productivity, efficiency, and opportunities at home. USAID is a reflection or extension of the American ideal and may be retrenched for a time, but no doubt, one day, it will continue. It must, lest its expression, which rings from every true American anthem, will grow silent. It is therefore bound to the destiny of the United States, whatever its iteration.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- General
- Forbes
How The High Atlas Foundation Transforms The Lives Of Moroccan Women
'I'm very proud because now I'm a powerful woman.' That simple statement, made by Samira—a 33-year-old Moroccan woman who was married at 15, never had a job and was once too shy to show her face in public—captures the heart of what the High Atlas Foundation is achieving in Morocco. She shared these words with me during my recent volunteer trip to Morocco, and in that moment, her confidence and pride embodied the Foundation's mission: transforming and empowering not only communities, but women. Founded in 2000 by Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir, a former Peace Corps volunteer turned development leader, the High Atlas Foundation is a nonprofit headquartered in Morocco. Its mission is to improve the lives of Morocco's most underserved populations by enabling them to identify their own development priorities—and then working together to make them a reality. While its agricultural projects have led to the planting of over five million fruit and nut trees across the country and its clean water initiatives have improved public health, the cornerstone of the High Atlas Foundation's work is women's empowerment. Many Moroccan communities—especially in rural areas—grapple with poverty, limited access to water and education and gender inequality. In some of these areas, the average household income is just $1,000 per year. Women are often denied independence, education and the legal knowledge to defend their rights. The earthquake in September of 2023 exacerbated these conditions, leaving parts of the land decimated and stripping many of their livelihoods. 'The key to all of it,' says Ben-Meir, 'is to pursue the projects that the people of Morocco say they need the most.' For many Moroccan women, that means independence—financial, personal and emotional. I had the chance to meet many of these women during my recent visit, and I was struck by how happy and proud they were to be working, earning money and creating products. What stood out most was the deep sense of community—they were not only gaining independence, but doing it alongside other women and across generations. Some women worked with their daughters, passing down skills and confidence. In one especially moving moment, the women—who were fasting for Ramadan—cooked us a meal, welcoming us with warmth, laughter and generosity. A meal prepared for us by the women of the High Atlas Foundation Collective. The demand for the Foundation's services is increasing, but scaling the operation takes time. 'We found that if we'd like to involve local women, they need to be free in their minds,' said Fatima Zahra Laaribi, a Lead Empowerment Trainer at the Foundation. 'Most of them couldn't leave their villages without their husband's permission. After participating in our workshops, we help them turn their visions into reality.' Since 2016, nearly 3,000 Moroccan women have participated in these 'IMAGINE' workshops. They are transformative spaces where women are encouraged to explore their goals, confront limiting beliefs and build confidence. Many participants go on to launch cooperatives producing beautiful handwoven rugs and baskets and contribute to the High Atlas Foundation's sustainable agriculture initiatives by sewing biodegradable tree sacks. A Moroccan woman weaving a rug at the High Atlas Foundation collective. Witnessing the tree sack initiative was a highlight of my visit. The Foundation received $160,000 in funding to help three women-led cooperatives produce 1.4 million biodegradable sacks—used to nurture saplings in their nurseries. For many of the women and girls sewing these sacks, it's the first time they've ever earned money. 'They now make $150 a month,' says Ben-Meir. And for families earning $1,000 a year, that's transformational. 'Many of the women say it has improved their relationships with their husbands as they are able to contribute financially to their families,' adds Laaribi. 'For example, the women are now paying electricity bills and sending their children to school.' The High Atlas Foundation employee, Fatima, sewing tree sacks. While many NGOs struggle to create lasting impact, the High Atlas Foundation continues to thrive. Ben-Meir offers some important tips: The High Atlas Foundation doesn't dictate solutions—it listens. 'Helping people define their most sincere needs' is, according to Ben-Meir, the most important step. Yoseff Ben-Meir, founder of the High Atlas Foundation From the tree nurseries to the cooperatives, the Foundation invests in projects that generate long-term income and ownership. 'We are always encouraging our staff and volunteers to write about their experiences,' Ben-Meir explains. Sharing these stories helps raise awareness and attract support. Success doesn't come overnight. 'Nothing can replace the non-stop, year-after-year effort—we're all giving more than we ever imagined we could,' he says. Morocco, says Ben-Meir, is uniquely positioned for this kind of grassroots change. 'Morocco wants this! Morocco wants women's liberation. Morocco wants multiculturalism.' While Ben-Meir says this sort of effort wouldn't be successful in certain other Middle Eastern countries, he says, 'Morocco sets us free to do this work.' While recent USAID funding cuts have impacted development programs around the world, the High Atlas Foundation remains resilient. Their model offers a powerful example for nonprofits everywhere. 'I'm a new Samira,' said the woman who once couldn't speak without covering her face. Today, she leads girls who have dropped out of school, teaching them to weave, sew and contribute economically. 'Now my kids and my husband see me differently. I'm proud of my achievements.' In the hills of the Atlas Mountains, transformation is happening. And for those of us lucky enough to witness it firsthand, it's deeply moving to see what empowerment really looks like.
