Michaela Creel, an international affairs and cultural anthropology student, completed an internship at the High Atlas Foundation in Morocco, where she contributed to recovery efforts following a major earthquake in September 2023. The Foundation focuses on sustainable development in agricultural communities, empowering women, and improving water access. Creel’s role involved communications and community engagement, providing her with a profound understanding of local culture and lasting connections with the communities she served.
Michaela Creel, a third-year student majoring in international affairs and cultural anthropology, gained invaluable experience while interning at the High Atlas Foundation during a semester in Marrakesh, Morocco. This nonprofit organization, founded by former Peace Corps volunteers in 2000, focuses on sustainable development in the High Atlas mountain region, an area significantly impacted by a major earthquake in September 2023. The earthquake disrupted longstanding agricultural practices and necessitated extensive recovery efforts within these rural communities that have cultivated olives and almonds for generations. Creel was drawn to the High Atlas Foundation’s mission, which aligns with her academic interests, as it emphasizes hands-on community engagement rather than sedentary office work. Throughout her internship, she engaged in initiatives centered on agriculture, women’s empowerment, and water conservation—three key pillars of the organization. The Foundation has notably planted over five million trees and supports local farmers with educational workshops aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among women. In light of the recent earthquake, Creel’s role concentrated on communications, assisting the team as they supported affected farming communities. Her responsibilities included distributing saplings, visiting local markets, and working on the reconstruction of essential water systems damaged by the disaster. Creel also contributed to the Foundation’s website by documenting her experiences through photography and writing, including an interactive tour of a nursery created for International Forest Day. Creel resided in Medina alongside two other interns, adapting to life in a new country while immersing herself in local culture. By the end of her five-month tenure, she had established connections within her community, including with local merchants and families, gaining a deeper understanding of Moroccan traditions, particularly during the observance of Ramadan.
The High Atlas Foundation operates in Morocco’s High Atlas mountain region, a historically agricultural area facing modern challenges due to natural disasters like the significant earthquake in September 2023. As a nonprofit organization, it aims to implement sustainable development practices that empower local communities. By enhancing agricultural productivity, supporting women entrepreneurs through education, and creating efficient water systems, the Foundation works towards resilient and self-sufficient communities, aligning with broader goals of sustainable development globally. The experiences of individuals like Michaela Creel highlight the importance of grassroots engagement in aiding recovery and development initiatives.
Michaela Creel’s internship with the High Atlas Foundation exemplifies the significant impact of grassroots organizations in post-disaster recovery efforts. By focusing on sustainability and community empowerment, organizations like the Foundation play a critical role in helping rural Moroccan communities rebuild and thrive. Creel’s immersive experience not only advanced her academic pursuits but also deepened her understanding of international cooperation and cultural exchange, underscoring the value of hands-on engagement in addressing developmental challenges.
Original Source: news.northeastern.edu
