Approach/Concept behind our Homestay Holidays
ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION
The "Vivre de Ma Campagne" (‘Making a Living from my Land’) is the name of a small Association that aims to help and encourage families to make a living from their own land, rather than having to migrate to the cities to find work. It has been set up by a handful of fellahs (smallholders) from the village of Tahla (northern MOROCCO), who had left their village for a better life in the town of Fez. After having survived in the slums there for a while, they had sheepishly returned home, disappointed at having failed to make their way there: partly because of their lack of experience in urban trades, but also because they had found the experience so soul-destroying. . .
It was the bitterness of being forced to ‘return to square one’, that made them kick back against their situation. How could they improve their lives at home? How could they rescue those people whose lives were being ruined in the slums? The idea did not come to them as they were getting off the local bus that serves the village; it was germinated and developed in the discussions between three fellahs during the three days in which they had to travel the 80 miles back to Fez – on foot!
In the countryside, working on the land is considered to be a noble occupation, respected by others. In towns, a man who works on the land is looked down on, and considered to be ‘backward’.
“But, what if the tourists came to us? We also have things to show people: the regions where we live, our traditional way of life, the cattle markets, the co-operatives, the old stone mule-powered olive presses, our irrigation methods, our river fishing techniques, our houses, our cuisine, our carpets, our handcrafts, festivals, weddings, hammams. . . .”
"They do that in France! My sister lives there and she said that the French love the countryide, and they go there for their holidays ..."
Traditionally, work in MOROCCO is related to handcrafts, and work on the land. Recreational activities are rare, and mainly consist of music and dancing at celebrations and festivals, such as weddings, or the colourful ‘Feast of the Throne' (the anniversary of the enthronement of KING OF MOROCCO) – where you can see the spectacle of the MOROCCAN cavalry charging on horseback, performing acrobatic feats with their guns; and firing them in the air.
Here in MOROCCO, there are no gites or mountain huts. The Association offers you space – at best, a room - in the home of a rural family who have a frugal standard of living, but who will bend over backwards to ensure that you have an enjoyable stay in their countryside. The traditional Moroccan hospitality comes into its own, in these people’s hands.
What is the connection with ALPES ATLAS TREKKING ?
Twenty years after having experienced the extraordinary hospitality to be found in the Moroccan villages for myself, I am married to the lovely Aïcha. The beautiful children she gave me, now teenagers, are the deepest reflection of our cross-cultural values.
Together, we run our small family business ALPES ATLAS TREKKING: now well established, with a growing reputation for the outstanding quality of service we offer, guiding people on the ‘Tour du Mont Blanc’, with mules to carry the luggage.
We are lending a hand to our fellah friends and relatives in MOROCCO, by promoting them on our website, and assuring you of their readiness to receive you.
WELCOME TO MOROCCO! !
Association "Vivre de Ma Campagne"
Hay al Qods
Tahala
Région de Taza
MAROC
00 212 634 21 40 09
info@sejours-maroc.org
