As the holy month of Ramadan draws near, Moroccan NGO “1001 Artisans” issued a plea for contributions to assist Moroccan artisans without a steady source of income.
In an interview with Hespress EN, the association’s president, Jihane Boumediane explained her commitment to bringing people closer to Morocco’s rich hidden heritage by creating a bridge between citizens and craftsmen.
An endangered legacy of Moroccan craft is being revived by the organization. It bases its strategy on preserving ancient knowledge and passing skills to the next generation by putting artisans and craftswomen at the center.
The NGO’s latest initiative calls for providing these artisans with one food basket a month.
“The concept is that one person could sponsor one artisan per month which falls at the price of MAD400,” explained Jihane saying that the food basket covers the basic necessities that families need in their kitchen.
She recalled an old interview with Hespress in which an 86 years old artisan said “I wish I could receive this food basket once a month”, and someone reached out to the NGO and agreed to provide the old man with monthly help.
That’s how Jihane and her team decided that the situation of those artisans should be talked about so that they get proper help.
“Instead of doing this once per year in Eids, we could try doing it once per month. These people don’t have proper revenue and they lack support!” declared Jihane.
The association doesn’t claim to bring out a concept that has never been done, “We’re just trying to help by these gestures of kindness to support these people because they are in need!” emphasized the association’s president.
“1001 Artisans” knocks on doors in hopes to draw a smile on the faces of those extremely talented people who are living off the bare minimum.
Back in 2019, “1001 Artisans” emerged with an interesting concept of online bidding on Artisanal products, especially when Covid-19 hit, the association took charge of helping the artisans promote their work so that they continue making a living through the challenging pandemic.
“The event was a first of its kind in Morocco, and it went viral in 2020 and 2021,” said Jihane.
In 2022, the association engaged in fun experiences where people got to meet the artisans and tried doing several activities with them.
“Most of those people cannot work anymore, at their age they cannot do much which is why they need help”, stressed Jihane.
Ever since, whenever religious celebrations and Eids approach, the association launches such initiatives in favor of craftsmen located in the region of Marrakech in the hope to provide them with the proper help.
“We pray for long-term help and for more associations to take on the same challenge, similar initiatives should be encouraged and spread on a larger scale,” the NGO president concluded.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.