Atlas friends
 

Aim and background

Passion Paragliding initially set up the "Atlas Friends" in 2006 to help initiate and support charitable projects in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.  Although small, our projects have made a lasting impact on how the paragliding community is received and more importantly have made a tangible and positive difference to local communities.

Recent Projects and Fund raising (2008/2009)

In previous flying seasons here in the Atlas Mountains we have provided local schools  with basic equipment such as exercise books.  In much of the Atlas Mountains household incomes average about £6 per day so basic equipment for schooling understandably comes pretty low down the list.  Our contributions have always been very gratefully received by local children and their parents.  In 2008, the King of Morocco announced that he would be providing children in rural Morocco with exercise books free of charge.  We have therefore found other ways in which to help:

Last season (autumn 2008 through Spring 2009) we raised just over £1,000.  We put this money towards two local school projects:

1.The village of Tifrowene: painting school classroom  (approximately £100)

2. A toilet block for the school at (approximately £400)

The remainder (approximately £500) we are planning to use to help children in outlying poorest villages in the Aguegour region.  Some lack even basic footwear. Alternatively and  or in addition we would like to continue to support the school of Wizlene which lacks basic amenities.  These projects will be initiated in late 2009 / early 2010.

Almost all Passion Paragliding clients gave generously to support local needs and suggested ways in which we could help the locals.  Thank you all for your generosity.  All funds raised go directly to charitable projects. We incur no administrative or staff costs and much of the labour is done on a voluntary basis.

We are looking forward to helping local people in the Atlas Mountains and in particular the Aguegour region once again in the 2009/2010 season.  Ideas for the season ahead are gratefully received.

Latest News
January 2010

2009 was the best year ever for Atlas Friends.  We collected a total of over £2000.  With some individuals contributions exceeding £100, its been a fantastic season.  I spent yesterday exploring some outlying villages in the Aguergour region looking for worthy projects.  There are several.  In the next few weeks I will finalise which of these projects to support and post details soon thereafter.  In addition to cash contributions several clients brought clothing to donate and also school stationery.   With the help of Abdou "Numeric" this month we have sniffed out some very worthy causes and made lots of people very happy - we dished out several bags of clothes to local families. On behalf of the local communities on the North side of the High Atlas Mountains thank you so much for your generosity.

August 2010

 A few days ago we also finalised details for projects to support local schools.

Toby Colombé
Atlas Friends