After Morocco’s significant earthquake in September 2023, Michaela Creel, a co-op student at Northeastern University, contributed to recovery efforts through the High Atlas Foundation, a nonprofit focused on sustainable development. Her responsibilities included supporting local farmers, documenting relief projects, and facilitating community engagement, culminating in an impactful cultural immersion experience.
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco in September 2023, which severely affected communities in the High Atlas mountain region, Michaela Creel, a junior majoring in international affairs and cultural anthropology, undertook a meaningful co-op experience with the High Atlas Foundation. This nonprofit organization, founded by former Peace Corps volunteers in 2000, is devoted to promoting sustainable development in Morocco by engaging directly with local communities. Creel was initially reluctant to pursue a co-op abroad but became captivated by the mission of the High Atlas Foundation, which integrates agriculture, women’s empowerment, and clean water access into its initiatives. The organization aims to create sustainable systems by employing local individuals from the villages it serves, which ensures that their efforts are closely aligned with the needs of the community. During her co-op in early 2024, after the earthquake, Creel’s primary focus was on assisting farming communities that had suffered losses. She described how the earthquake’s epicenter was located in the mountainous area, thereby impacting many ancient rural agricultural communities. Her responsibilities included documenting the organization’s recovery efforts as they distributed saplings, supported local farmers, and worked to repair water canals damaged by the quake. One of her key projects involved creating an interactive online tour of one of the foundation’s nurseries for International Forest Day, an initiative that showcased her newfound skills in coding—a task she had never undertaken before. During her five-month tenure in Morocco, Creel lived with fellow co-op students and immersed herself in the culture. She formed connections with local residents and participated in community traditions, illustrating the profound impact such an experience can have over a traditional study abroad program. Her encounters and interactions underscored the warmth and hospitality of the Moroccan people, enriching her understanding and appreciation of the local culture. Creel’s work with the High Atlas Foundation not only contributed to the recovery efforts following the earthquake but also equipped her with invaluable skills and insights that will resonate throughout her career in international affairs.
The article addresses the recovery efforts following a significant earthquake in Morocco’s High Atlas mountain region, specifically discussing the contributions of the High Atlas Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering sustainable development. By detailing Michaela Creel’s co-op experience, the piece highlights the practical applications of her studies—international affairs and cultural anthropology—while shedding light on the foundation’s comprehensive focus areas, such as sustainable agriculture, women’s empowerment, and clean water systems. The situation provides context for understanding the importance of community engagement in disaster recovery and the ongoing challenges faced by local farmers in a region already striving for sustainability.
Michaela Creel’s co-op experience with the High Atlas Foundation exemplifies the vital role of community-based organizations in the aftermath of natural disasters, particularly in agricultural regions like Morocco’s High Atlas mountains. Through her hands-on involvement in recovery efforts, Creel not only advanced the Foundation’s objectives but also gained crucial skills and insights into Moroccan culture. Her journey illustrates the complexities of disaster response and the significance of sustainable practices in fostering long-term resilience in affected communities.
Original Source: news.northeastern.edu
