British Community Initiative in Marrakech To Serve 50,000th Free Meal

Rabat- The British and broaderAnglophone community in Marrakech launched an initiative, serving free meals as part of a humanitarian campaign seeking to mitigate COVID-19 repercussions.

The community created the “Henna Cafe Soup Kitchen” in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Henna Cafe Marrakech stated in a press release.

On January 19, 2022, the Pasha of Marrakech will serve the 50,000th free meal in the medina in the presence of Alan Keohane, a member of the British Business Association Marrakech and Ahmed Nait, a member of the British Moroccan Society.

President of the Henna Cafe Association Mike Wood expressed delight with the achievements of the initiative amid the ongoing flight ban.

“We are all looking forward to borders reopening to allow life to return to normal,” he said. Wood added that ”in the meantime, we are immensely proud that the British Community have been able to support our neighbors in the medina through this consistent and much-needed initiative.”

More than 100 individuals and businesses donated to the program, including English-speaking expats and tourists as well as British-owned businesses in Marrakech. The Pikala association also helped in distributing meals by bicycle to the less accessible parts of the medina.

Nutritionist Lin Ducker designed the Soup Kitchen meal to provide a balanced 1,000 calories meal.

The meal consists of an egg, vegetable sandwich, one piece of fruit, oatmeal, and nut energy bars, the association reported.

Established in 2011, the Henna Cafe Association “operates a tourist cafe serving simple food and beverages as well as safe organic henna.”

Additionally, the association provides free education courses for an average of 80 people per day. The courses cover English and French classes, Arabic literacy for illiterate adults, and other subjects such as math, science, and economics.