I Will Always Remember.........

To LAUGH often, to win the affection of children, to earn the APPRECIATION of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate BEAUTY, to find the BEST in others, to leave the world a bit BETTER, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch....to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have SUCCEEDED!

-Emerson

Last Night in Morocco

Khadija doing henna on Kirsten
Laura getting henna
Henna is made from crushed up leaves from a tree. They crush the leaves then add lemon, black pepper, sugar and water
Brenda- showing off her henna

Bye Bye Babies-thank you for what you have given me

My favorite lil boy "Saleh Hodine"
Workers and Saffa and Farra
In the playpen
Outside of Orphanage
Sister Maria making lunch at the Orphanage. (couscous always served on fridays in Morocco--even at the Orphanage)

Goodbye and thank you Morocco

My last day at the orphanage....I new it would pull at my heart strings but not to the extent that it did. As I dressed the children/babies this morning I found myself holding them a little longer kissing them a little more and looking into there big brown eyes a few extra times. These babies ....oh my god, I am so in love with each and everyone of their sweet little innocent spirits. They didnt ask to be here and they are, for good or for worse ,it is such a survival course for them. As the morning progressed , unlike the other mornings ......the hours seemed like minutes they time flew by and I hated it, my time was coming to an end. I hope with all my heart that my time here(though only a drop in a bucket) that they (babies/children) felt a little more loved a little bit more important and if only for a time a bit more safe. The nurses and care takers do an amazing job but how do you deal with this many infants ...and give them the attention they truly need? You simply don't, they have to be very rigid and very systematic to make it through any given time on any given day. Today the "twins" adoptive grandma was there to visit and that was,WOW...to see the love that she was sharing with her two grand daughters and to know they were both be leaving(next wednesday) to have a "family"! It was beautiful! Next a man came from Florida to see the son he would be taking home next week also. This was the only time we saw first hand the one on one towards the end of the adoption process and to be on our last day (already emotional)was an added bonus to this entire experience. As I fed two of the children lunch I watched each bite taken and though not eating with them got as much pleasure feeding them as they did filling up. Every act of care for them today just tore me apart. I was here I gave and they gave me back so so much. Thank you Morocco and thank you babies....I do love you and will always wonder if a pair of big brown eyes in some corner of the world is you. Laura

Colors of Morocco

Kirsten learning to belly dance
Kirsten and Stephanie in Essaouira

What a humbling experience this has been, I will always remember the wonderful food, friends and friendly people I met here in Morocco.

"All the colors of Morocco"

Mom asked me if I was to write a book what would I title it.... I think I would settle with, All the colors of Morocco. This experience has been so life changing. I just said goodbye to some of my closest volunteers, it was very emotional to see them walk out the front door for the last time. Since the first day of this journey we have all been together, seeing, experiencing, watching. laughing, crying, talking, barfing, eating, traveling and volunteering all as a group-- and now that grooup is disolving. I guess its something I always knew was going to happen, but I didnt realize the emotion I would be hit with when it did. Today was also my last day at the Family Protection Agency. I went to work today with candy for all the children to help in my farewell. It was an interesting day for me because I was really trying to absorb everything--to not miss any detail that I may not have been noticing before. Hyat brought in the coloring books that I had brought for "drerri" earlier this week and we colored pages from the books. Later on we went to the theatre room and the children danced for me. Towards the end of my day Jose (director of association) had all the children sit in a big circle with me in it as well. One by one the child came to me kissed me on each cheek gave me a hug and said "bye bye" Many of them added a "shukran" which is thank you in Arabic. It was so sweet to know that the association appreciated me being there and all the children cared so much as well. Its so difficult to put into words my feelings here, its sureal to know that this is coming to an end. I can truely say this experince is one in a million. I will never forget all the vibrant colors of Morocco.
Love-Kirsten

Family Protection Agency

Women learning english
Women sewing
Music department
Hair school
Music class

My class at the Family Protection Association

Today I helped Hyat teach the children numbers 1-10. first in Arabic, then French and then English. I think it is amazing how much these children are being taught at such a young age. The children are so bright eyed and willing to learn whatever is thrown their way. Although this is not a school, I think its good that the organizers still instill learning as a value first then playtime second. I love that the children know how to say my name and all of them fight over who gets to hold my hand whenever we go somewhere. Everyday I feel like I should be the one that should be teaching the children something new and exciting, making them smile, or making them realize they are loved and important---yet everyday when I leave work I feel like I am the one being loved and being taught something new everyday. I am going to be so sad to leave these kids for the last time on friday. They have taught me so much that I will never forget. "shukran drerri"

Love always- Kirsten

Cooking Class: PASTILLO

Preparing Pastillo (took 1 1/2 hours) just to prepare. Our cooks go to a lot of work to make us fantastic morrocan dinners.
One of our cooks hands adorned with henna
Khadija preparing the crust

Ismail decided he would come in and check on us. He said he does NOT cook so of course Laura had him helping in an instant. (he told us to never show his wife these pictures of him) HA

Maddie and Hannah

I had to post this picture simply because it captures just how goofy these two ladies are. They are always together and always laughing. (mostly at one another)

Field Trip with the CCS crew

The park was pretty-its nice to go on these 'field trips' because it is one of the few times all the volunteers are out together. Typically there is one or two doing numerous things throughout the entire day and not everyone is together unless of course we are eating.

This picture is of Ismail (our driver)back there in his suit trying to not fall into the water while crossing
Ismail, Mohamed,Joey

Les Jardins Exotiques

Map of the Garden
Kirsten and Khadija (Khadija is the Office/House Manager)
Mohamed (country director) Kirsten & Stephanie
Mom and Madeline

Family Protection Association

Today was a good day. I was excited to see all the children when I got to work because I had not seen them for a couple of days. As always when I walked in they all greeted me with big smiles and all raced to see who could give me the first kiss. Nawal was home sick today so Hyat was teaching the children all by herself today. Hyat is so sweet and affectionate towards the children, its like she treats them like they are her own. I was surprised when she handed me the chalk and told me to teach the class the vowels (a e i o u) IN FRENCH....... So okay I would write on the board the sound and say it, then the children would repeat. It was also cute because she had me write the date today on the board in English to show the children how you write it in English as well. It was quite a learning expeience not only for the children but for myself as well. I become more and more fond of Morocco the longer I am here. I have come to realize that although these children are economically disadvantaged, they are NOT poor in mind or spirit.
Love-Kirsten

Morrocan Streets

Here is some pictures of the walkways all over the city of Essaouira. The bright blue doors always match the bright blue sky. It is so picturesque.

Us walking into the Medina at night when we arrived. Kinda scary walking down the alleys.

Castles in the Sand/Jimi Hendrix

Lawrence and Rasta

Kirstens camels name was Rasta and Lauras camel was named Lawrence. Lawrence was very vocal and made dinosour like sounds while Rasta was very quiet. We rode for about 3 hours going over sand dunes, beach, ocean and forest. There were lots of wild camels and herds of goats and sheep. The guide was very informative and gave us lots of insight along the way.

CAMELS * SAND * OCEAN

Camel Trek: Kirsten and Laura