New Peace Corps Volunteers Ready to Empower Youth in Morocco’s Rural-Most Communities

Rabat – On November 21, Marissa Scott, the United States Consul General to Casablanca, swore in 53 new Peace Corps volunteers during a ceremony in Beni Mellal.

The ceremony was opened by Abdrahman Bouhoute, Training Manager at Peace Corps Morocco, who congratulated the volunteers for their perseverance throughout the rigorous training.

After completing a rigorous 10-week pre-service training program, the volunteers are now ready to begin their two-year assignments throughout all paMorocco.

They will work within local communities in the rural-most parts of the country, building sustainable partnerships within Dar Chebabs (youth centers), schools, Dar Taliba (boarding schools for girls) and Nedi Neswis (women’s clubs). The volunteers will work in multiple teaching and volunteer capacities to give lessons on life skills, English, or whatever else is needed of them in their respective communities,

“Today marks a significant milestone for these 53 dedicated Peace Corps volunteers as they embark on a two-year journey of service in communities across Morocco,” Scott said during the ceremony.

“Through their hard work, cultural immersion, and commitment to promoting peace and friendship, they will play an essential role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and contributing to the development of Morocco’s youth,” she added.

The training program equipped the new cohort of Peace Corps volunteers with essential skills in Moroccan Darija, cultural understanding, and how to implement projects in youth development, preparing them for their roles in local communities.

This diverse group hails from various US states, including California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Stationed across regions such as Marrakech-Safi, Fez-Meknes, the Oriental Region, Souss-Massa, Drâa-Tafilalet, and Beni Mellal-Khenifra, they will focus primarily on youth development.

Volunteers will collaborate with local youth centers to implement programs that boost English language proficiency, life skills, and community involvement, including after-school activities, clubs, and summer camps, all aimed at helping young Moroccans build the personal and social skills necessary for future success.

Since its founding in 1961, Morocco has been a key destination for Peace Corps volunteers, with over 5,000 US citizens serving in the country.

Within the Peace Corps community, Morocco has always been regarded as one of the more rigorous programs to be accepted into, as it has a long history of providing volunteers with exceptional skills in Arabic and development work. Morocco is also notably the last Arab country that America has affiliations with through the Peace Corps program.

As one of the program’s most popular locations, Morocco has attracted volunteers from diverse backgrounds and age groups, ranging from 21 to 60, who have contributed to its development efforts.