Lots of things to think about...

Alot has taken place in the past three weeks, since I have last blogged, but the one that has been at the forefront of my (and many PCVs in Morocco) mind is the effect that recent protests in Tunisia, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries will have on Moroccan citizens. A month ago, I found myself excited to hear about the protests that thousand of people in the Middle East and North Africa were having regarding seeming government disregard for high unemployment rates (even among the highly educated), corruption, and dictatorship. As people risked their lives to peacefully and forcibly demand change, I was inspired. However, I have come to realize that what I have seen in other countries, through the little bits of news that I can see and understand from Arabic news reports that are televised in cafes in major cities, that if the Moroccan people also stand up against the corruption (which I see first hand on a weekly basis) or the lack of jobs for the increasing population of educated young adults...then my time in this wonderful country could be limited.

No country is perfect and coming to Morocco has helped me see the U.S. through a new lense, however I am shocked and conflicted by the fact that my support for citizen-led protests against the government (sidenote: more information on the type of government that Morocco has in the below article) has been curbed due to the fact that any violence that could possibly come from it could mean that all PCV are evacuated from country. It isn't an easy decision for Peace Corps to make when they evacuate, but we have been asked (as we always are) to be on constant alert and be prepared to leave our site at anytime. Peace Corps Morocco has a detailed and advanced emergency action plan, which can be enacted for political or environmental events (such as the earthquakes or civil unrest that could negatively affect PCVs). Although I know it is all routine, the thought of having to leave when I am still establishing who I am and what I can give to my community...its helped me be more introspective. It's also helped me put a more personal face to the people that have to live within a country that is literally fighting it's government for freedom.

Not having a tv (or consistent internet) has been extremely frustration, especially when I'm hungry to learn as much as possible about the evolving revolutions in the countries near Morocco. However, as I talk with friends and neighbors, I'm reminded that they are very much up to date on what is happening and they see the protests, the deaths, the brutality, and the liberation as more than just a news story. They see it as the victory or defeat of fellow Muslims (brothers and sisters).

Morocco is not the same as Tunisia or Egypt. Morocco has a king and a parliament. The king is loved by a majority of the population, as is shown by people's loyalty to the king and the crowds of people that come to welcome him wherever they go. Most of the country's problems seem to be blamed on the parliament, from my interpretation. Although Morocco experiences corruption in many of it's government sectors (the top two being the judicial and health system), the strong (relatively speaking) economy and literacy rates play a crucial role in whether Morocco will have similar uprisings as it's neighbors to the East.

Nonetheless, I'm still here (safe and sound) on my mountaintop, trying to take in history as it happens and learn from it at the same time. No one knows what the future may bring for the people and government of Morocco (which is intertwined with my fate in Morocco) but time will tell.

BBC has a few short articles on the peaceful protests that occurred throughout the country on Sunday. One is listed below:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12518116

Thousands of people have marched in Moroccan cities to demand that King Mohammed VI give up some of his powers.

In the capital, Rabat, police allowed protesters to approach parliament, chanting slogans like "The people reject a constitution made for slaves!"

A separate protest is under way in the country's biggest city, Casablanca, and another was planned in Marrakesh.

Protests have spread across the region since popular movements in Tunisia and Egypt forced out leaders.

Sunday's rallies in Morocco are organised by groups including one calling itself the February 20 Movement for Change.

More than 23,000 people have expressed their backing for its Facebook site.

The protesters have not called for the removal of King Mohammed, but for a new constitution curbing his powers.

"This is a peaceful protest to push for constitutional reform, restore dignity and end graft," said Mustapha Muchtati of the Baraka (Enough) group, one of the organisers behind the protest.

Moroccan Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar had urged people not to march, warning that any "slip may, in the space of few weeks, cost us what we have achieved over the last 10 years".

Happy February!

Todays marks the 11th months I have spent away from home. Almost a year ago (on March 1st) I said goodbye to family and freiends, packed way more than the allotted 80 lbs of luggage into two suitcases, and drove to Philadelphia with my mother and granmother to start my official first day of work with the Peace Corps. The real stuff didn't come until I arrived in country and settled into my host family's house in Ouarzazate Province, but it's been a whirwind of a journey. I've moved into two host families' house, rented my own (current) house, adopted two cats, gotten sick, made friends (Moroccans and PCVs), travelled to some of the major cities, planned health lessons, gotten into countless arguements (some just heated discussions) about religion, have helped to weed DOZENS of fields (corn, wheat, everything under the moroccan sun), have killed eight scorpions, have gotten bed bugs, made friends in my community (made a few enemies too), impressed my neighbors with my tajine-making skills, planned some successful (and some not-so successful project), hiked with nomads, fallen off my bike countless times, have fallen into irrigation ditches (most recently on Sunday), helped planned HIV/STD outreach, attended weddings, decorated my home with Christmas decorations (with a Moroccan touch, thanks to my neighbors)....and that's only the first 11 months.

Works is really starting to pick up now. I feel more at ease with my language (although the more you know, the more you realize how LITTLE you know). I'm nervous and excited for the spring because these will truly be the defining months of my service. May 5 marks a year in my site (it's so close) and that will also be the weekend of the huge 3 day HIV/STD outreach event at a local festival. Last year PCVs (in collaboration with a ton of Moroccan associations) tested over 500 people for HIV/STDS and coordinated Moroccan volunteers who outreached to over 2000 people. Big shoes to fill, but it should be a great way to celebrate my time here.

There's alot that's coming up in the spring. So much to look forward to:
-Volunteer Support Network Trainings and meetings (I am the representative for our stage)
-Mid-service Medicals in Rabat...where we get poked and pricked to make sure we don't have any dormant (or not so dormant) medical conditions, such as parasites or worms
-Earth Day (hopefully many activities will follow)
-The beginning of the health club at the college/middle school
-Many potential projects surrounding women's literacy and a safe space for women to work and meet
-Health lessons in school (the usual)
-Travelling to Northern Morocco...and more!

Today marks the beginning of a two day meeting in Southern Morocco for health volunteers (yeah, we do seem to have quite a bit of meetings lately, but now is a good time to brainstorm about regional projects and collaboration).

Until I get back home and can process everything. Here are some pictures to look at, from my last 11 months in country. I was unsuccessful (to date) at post them via slideshow on the blog. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayanna_k_williams/