Volunteers Linda Jesse, left, and Vicki Weeks.

Vicki’s Summary

It was incredibly rich and rewarding (and so much fun!) for Linda and me to return to Morocco! We had been there on a fundraising trip through Crooked Trails with a group in February, and the two of us were invited to return as individuals to help advance Tata’s project in Merzouga and the Ziz Valley. Having met each other nearly 50 years ago on our college study abroad in Germany, it was delightful to be reunited as travelers and friends in the service of community based tourism. One of the true, and unexpected joys was to return to places we had visited before. People were so excited to see us, remembered our group so fondly, asked about everyone, and made me realize how rare it is that travelers go back, and how meaningful it is. It was wonderful to connect to old friends and make new ones in the service of this project.

We were able to help Tata continue to refine the experience he wants to offer travelers, which felt great, but more than anything it was great to participate once again in that multifaceted culture: to try out our Moroccan Arabic, to see a centuries-old date market, to hear world-renowned musicians play in a room filled with 50 years of collectibles - instruments, albums, antique radios and model cars - in a tiny village on the edge of the desert, to share meals on the farm and in local homes, to see the progress the women’s cooperative has made and hear their excitement about next steps. We were immersed in the joy and learning about the challenges of life in Morocco today, and thrilled to be adding our voices to hope for a better future.

The Nakba Women’s Cooperative gather with Vicki (seated, third from right), and Linda (seated, second from left).

Linda’s Summary

It is impossible to “briefly” summarize our week-long deep dive into Tata’s world. One that he was intent on sharing in order to demonstrate the beautiful appeal of his community and his ability to offer a powerful experience for the culturally curious and adventurous travelers. 

Renowned musicians play in a room filled with 50 years of collectibles - instruments, albums, antique radios and model cars.

Caravan of camels leads travelers into the Sahara desert to witness the Moroccan night sky.

World travelers, Vicki Weeks and Linda Jesse recently returned from Morocco after a two-week volunteer adventure for Crooked Trails. They had joined the February 2024 Moroccan Fundraising Adventure with Tammy Leland, and returned in September of the same year to support two tourism-based projects in Merzauga and the Ziz Vally.

Abdelkarim Tata is a leader in Merzauga and the Ziz Valley. He is dedicated to showcasing the region's rich cultural tapestry and stunning natural beauty through sustainable tourism with this company, Tata Morocco Travels.

In the same region is the Nakba women's cooperative, which is creating ways for local weavers and artisans to preserve their cultural art and crafts, and showcase them to travelers looking for a more authentic piece of Morocco to bring home.

Vicki and Linda spent two weeks engaging with Tata, the women of Nakeb and an established women's collective, Anoa in Fez. They engaged in the community, talking, eating and traveling with Moroccan's and hearing their stories, gathering information, and providing consultation on how best to reach a global audience and provide extraordinary, sustainable experiences. Below they share the highlights of their experiences!

Moroccan Textiles and Crafts

Young boy filling water jugs

Abdelkarim Tata of Tata Morocco Travels

Latifa, on left in blue, and YYY.

We met and dined with fascinating women artisans, were invited into the inner sanctum of internationally acclaimed musicians and treated to a spontaneous concert, participated in corn and date harvests with Tata’s family members, rubbed shoulders with newly married professionals happy to discuss and defend the custom of arranged marriages, lunched in the desert with a Nomad family that shared the overwhelming challenges of a seven year draught, were overtaken by and then enveloped in a thrilling sand storm as we groped our way towards our desert camp, lay prostrate on soft Erg Chebbi dunes late at night drinking in the magnificence of the starlit sky. 

We did all of this and much more but more importantly walked away pinching ourselves and counting our lucky Saharan stars for the shared laughter, tremendous warmth, new friendships and immersion into an incredibly wonderful culture.

Postscript from both

While Tata had filled our calendar with experiences he wanted to test as potential itinerary stops, we filmed and interviewed him, snapped pictures for planned social media content and attempted to do the same of other community members comfortable with being photographed. 

We were able to speak frankly and in depth of western expectations that, when not met or addressed, could color a travelers experience. Jointly we all realized that while some adjustments could and would be made, part of the appeal of the journey involves learning to “go with the flow”. Itineraries will be shifted and altered, and time has a different meaning, but one’s overall experience and memories will be richer for embracing the unexpected.

1. Immediate Project Support: Content Collection

• Content Collection: Support Volunteers

• Volunteer Visit: During their time in the Ziz Valley and Sahara, volunteers will gather stories, conduct interviews, take photos, shoot videos, and create draft itineraries.

• Storytelling: Focus on capturing the essence of Tata Morocco Travels, the community’s culture, and the people involved, emphasizing who benefits from community tourism.

Crooked Trails will support your trip financially ($1500 earmarked) and future fundraising, as well as assist in the support needed to book and organize the trip.

• Website and Social Media Development: Upon Volunteer Return

• Website Creation: Crooked Trails will fund and build a new website dedicated to showcasing the Ziz Valley and Sahara community tourism offerings.

• Social Media Channels: Establish and manage social media channels to promote the community’s tourism experiences.

• Content Integration: Incorporate collected stories, photos, and videos into the new digital platforms.

• Marketing Plan Development:

• Strategic Planning: Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that outlines steps to promote Tata Morocco Travels and its community partners.

• Promotion Tactics:

• Targeted Campaigns: Create and launch targeted marketing campaigns on social media and other platforms.

• Partnerships: Identify and collaborate with relevant partners to amplify the community’s visibility.

2. Long-Term Commitment to Community Partners

• Ongoing Support:

• Continued Marketing: Crooked Trails will continue to market and promote the Ziz Valley and Sahara’s community tourism projects across our networks.

• Funding Opportunities: Encourage and assist community partners in applying for future funding or support opportunities.

• Regular Check-Ins: Plan and offer trips periodically to visit partners, assess progress, and provide on-the-ground support as needed.

• Sustainability and Growth:

• Capacity Building: Provide training and resources to help local partners enhance their tourism offerings and manage digital platforms effectively.

• Feedback and Improvement: Regularly gather feedback from community partners and adjust our support strategies to better meet their evolving needs.