Two new boarding facilities have opened in Asni, in Morocco’s Al Haouz province, providing accommodation for 516 rural students following the September 2023 earthquake. The facilities were inaugurated by the non-profit association Amis des Écoles in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Early Childhood and Sports.
The project is designed to give young people safe accommodation close to school and help reduce dropout rates in the earthquake-hit region.
The facilities will house 262 girls and 254 boys aged between 11 and 18. Eight of the students have reduced mobility.
“This is a victory for the youth of this region. After years of effort and perseverance, we finally see these walls come alive with the joy and dreams of these children. This project is far more than a building; it is a promise for the future,” said Amal Zniber, founder and president of Amis des Écoles.
The two facilities cover more than 5,500 square metres and were built to meet earthquake-resistant standards. They are also fully accessible.
The boys’ boarding facility covers 2,400 square metres and has 254 beds, a canteen, refectory, study rooms and sports facilities.
The girls’ facility covers 3,186 square metres and has 262 beds, libraries on each floor, living areas and sanitary facilities.
The Ministry of National Education, Early Childhood and Sports will manage the facilities in the long term.
Amis des Écoles will run extracurricular programmes focused on civic education, environmental awareness and online safety.
The project was funded and supported by several public and private partners, including Foundation Unlimited, Siemens, the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), Azura, Fondation de France, Global Giving and Education For All Morocco.
