The nerazzurri family in Casablanca

CASABLANCA – Every trip to Morocco presents something new for us. This is the thought running through our minds as we tuck into a sumptuous lunch of couscous at our local contact Said Quadmiry’s house.

Quadmiry lives in one of the last remaining bidonvilles in Sidi Moumen, which is also home to many of the girls and boys at Inter Campus Morocco. The government is proposing a public housing programme to renovate the district and give more opportunities to people living in this oft forgotten corner of the city, where illegality and violent ideologies find easy prey among street children short of prospects or things to do.

The Inter Campus youngsters are tremendously excited by going to the football pitch after school. A local benefactor has refurbished the playing surface, which is owned by local authorities. The eight Inter Campus coaches and instructors work tirelessly to offer training and education to the younger generations.

The project involves 173 children, of which 33 are girls and 60 are orphans. Thus, it’s an important entity in the local community, recognised and appreciated by many. Lots of parents come to watch the sessions and their respect for the Inter Campus coaches is clear to see. They trust in Inter Campus’ method, which focuses not only on the sporting side of things but equally, and perhaps even more importantly, on personal development, monitoring the children’s performances at school. This is a topic dear to the heart of many families, where illiteracy is still fairly common so their children’s education assumes even greater significance.

During the trip, Italian coaches Paola Balconi and Lorenzo Forneris gave theoretical lessons in the morning and a practical course in the afternoon. The presence of the new Country Supervisor Omar El Sayed was particularly useful, since he was able to facilitate communication during the training of our local technical coaches. Omar will also assist the monitoring work of Wafa Latif, our local contact in charge of organisational issues, who will keep us informed of progress.

Finally, a note of farewell to Massimo Seregni, who is moving on from managing Inter Campus Morocco. We wish him good luck in his further endeavours.

29.11.2016