CAES Morocco: Leading Across Differences

               As a soon-to-be mother, I can't imagine raising a baby on my own without the support of my community. It is not lost on me that this is a reality for many. Before my mom met my dad, she was a single mom of two kids. Her life was chaotic, but during this time of single parenting, there were resources readily available for her. Plus, she was within a culture that does not entirely ostracize single mothers. Now, this cannot be generalized. As we have learned in class, one’s core values and beliefs are developed over time and during critical life events. Not all people are accepting of single moms, but overall, in the States, there are resources for single moms and their kids. On our first official tour, Nyem á emphasized the freedom women have and the progress the King’s wife, Salma Bennani, has made, specifically noting single moms. While researching, I found a dissertation written by Lucilla Valentina Berwick, who completed this...

Seated around the lunch table today, a woman walked by carrying a cat in a carrier. In the first four days we’ve spent in Morocco, I have seen and interacted with many cats, but this woman was the first evidence of pet ownership I have seen in Morocco. In America, it is common to see families or couples out walking dogs or cats basking in the window’s afternoon sun. Give yourself four days in America, and evidence of pet ownership and the culture of animal care will be abundant. Here, while the animals are abundant, the evidence of animal care and advocacy community work requires a treasure hunt an enthused goodwill shopper would find exhilarating.  This striking difference has both impacted me emotionally and piqued my curiosity surrounding the culture around animal care in Morocco. In Morocco, there are several small organizations focused around the work regarding animal rights, welfare, and animal community management. These organizations rely on volunteers and a small paid staf...