Morocco – Generation Change https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange Whether they are campaigning for free press in Zimbabwe, helping provide clean water in India, or offering free music lessons to underprivileged kids in the UK, young people all over the world are making a difference. Wed, 16 Nov 2016 16:49:27 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Morocco’s street circus for the people https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/2013/05/moroccos-street-circus-for-the-people/ Tue, 14 May 2013 12:56:00 +0000 http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/?p=3601 A four-meter tall camel made of old flour and potato bags – that’s not something you see every day. It’s part of a street festival in rural Morocco with drums, acrobats and larger-than-life puppets, like the camel. The festival plays on local traditions and pays tribute to the region’s cultural heritage. But it also integrates young people from the area without many opportunities: school dropouts, unemployed, orphans. The guy behind it all is 22-year-old Azeddine Aabar.

Listen to the report by Elizabeth Grenier in Tahanahoute, Morocco:

Morocco’s street circus for the people

Azzadine Aabar

Azeddine, 22, has been involved in several grassroots social projects to promote political participation and democratization (Photo: E. Grenier)

Puppets at Eclat de lune

The puppets used by the Eclats de lune circus collective are larger than life (Photo: E. Grenier)

Camel at Eclats de lune

The camel is a highlight at the Awaln’art street festival (Photo: E. Grenier)

Awaln’art street festival

The puppets at the Awaln’art street festival bear the traditional features of the people living in the mountainous region around Marrakesh (Photo: E. Grenier)

Awaln’art street festival

Both performers and spectators are proud of their local roots (Photo: E. Grenier)

Drummers at Awaln’art

The street festival integrates school drop out, unemployed youths and orphans (Photo: E. Grenier)

More on the Awaln’art website.

]]> Rehabilitating Morocco’s young prisoners https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/2012/01/rehabilitating-moroccos-young-prisoners/ Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:13:14 +0000 http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/?p=1003 One-tenth of Morocco’s prison population is made up of children and teenagers who are often convicted and sentenced without any legal representation. Now steps are being taken to help these young people.State-run child protection centers work to prevent children and teenagers from winding up in prison in the first place. The children who live in the centers often have very painful pasts – many are homeless, or have first-hand experience with drugs and violence.

]]> Surfing for hope in Morocco https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/2011/08/surfing-for-hope-in-morocco/ https://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/2011/08/surfing-for-hope-in-morocco/#comments Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:13:41 +0000 http://blogs.dw.com/generationchange/?p=89 One of Morocco’s top surfers at just 26, Bouchma uses his talent to give back to his small fishing village. There, he teaches the kids to surf – and shows them they can make something of their life.

Listen to the report

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