Years of Culture, EAA Foundation, Silatech Conclude Volunteer Service-Learning Trip to Morocco

Years of Culture, the Education Above All Foundation, and Silatech concluded a volunteer service-learning trip to Morocco. The trip, which included students from the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) and alumni from Qatar Foundation, helped foster entrepreneurship among local Moroccan youth beneficiaries from Silatech's Enterprise development projects in Morocco, while providing an immersive cross-cultural learning experience. HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Chairperson of Reach Out to Asia, Qatar Museums and Years of Culture, visited the participating youth on the final day, reviewed their entrepreneurial projects, and encouraged them to proceed with determination. The trip highlighted sustainable and creative industries, helping students and youth beneficiaries gain an in-depth understanding of each other's cultural backgrounds and entrepreneurial experiences, while encouraging them to contribute to their countries' economic growth. Volunteers along with the Moro ccan beneficiaries also engaged in workshops and discussions that support innovation and practical problem-solving, enriching their international service-learning experience. The judging panel announced and honored the winning projects, and several participants shared their journeys, including the challenges they faced and how they overcame obstacles and difficulties. George Tavola from Education Above All Foundation said, "The partnership with the Moroccan side represented by Al Amana Foundation aims to facilitate youth access to the world of employment, with a focus on experiential learning, knowledge and expertise exchange, and building cultural connections." He added: "One of the key aims of the volunteer trip is to build the knowledge and skills of both our Qatar-based volunteers and the local Moroccan youth beneficiaries, so they can adopt and spread long-term sustainable change in their lives and communities. As part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, this volunteer trip represents a unique o pportunity to deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Qatar and Morocco and familiarize them with the history and culture of both countries." Fahad Abdullah Malik, Head of External Relations and Engagement at Silatech, said: "This trip, which is part of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture, involves 24 youth volunteers who were integrated with 14 young men and women from Morocco. The trip consists of two parts: the first is three days of training, where Qatari youth integrate with Moroccan youth and form groups to identify problems facing youth in the Moroccan labor market, and they try to create innovative solutions and develop projects to address these problems." Source: Qatar News Agency