Our Work

The work in the Tabant boarding house was split in 3 phases:

Phase 1: Renovation of the main building

Phase 2: Self-sufficiency & sustainability planning

Phase 3: Creation of an environment conducive to learning

Collaboration.

We have been working alongside the Association Tiwizi, L’arbre du Voyageur and Association musulmane Ait Bouguemez to design and implement this project with a special focus on self-sufficiency.

Impact / Renovation.

The main building was in a precarious state with no hot water, mattresses falling apart, tattered bedding, no insulation, a leaky roof, crumbling walls, and non-functioning bathrooms. Phase 1 included the following critical work needed:

•  Roof insulation

• Painting of interior & exterior walls

•  New Mattresses (162)

•  New sheets (2 per bed for 162 beds)

•  Added a water heater

•  Fixed the broken glass window

• Restored bed frames

• Bought and installed new lockers

•  Rebuilt the kitchen

• Bought chairs and tables for the dining hall

• Bought a freezer and missing kitchen utensils

The boarding house was in a dismal state, our goal was to create a comfortable living environment for these boys to focus on their education.

Sustainability.

The building had only a small traditional oven that couldn’t meet the daily requirements of the boarding house (450 breads a day for students and staff).

The renovations included the expansion of the bakery into three rooms, one for baking, an area for stocking food and cleaning supplies, and a laundry room.

The bakery area is now equipped with a brand new industrial oven and an industrial mixing bowl. Two staff members were trained in January 2019 to use the new equipment, allowing the boarding house to now produce 550 loaves of bread daily. White flour has been replaced with whole wheat flour to provide a healthier alternative.

The newly equipped bakery will soon enable the boarding house to produce excess bread that can be sold to other boarding houses and schools in the area to generate income which will help them go towards self-sufficiency.

Education.

The boarding house was lacking in basic educational facilities and resources. The plan was to develop :

• An educational space: Building a dedication room equipped with computers, books, educational games, a projector (for educational documentaries and entertainment movies). Internet access has also been provided to allow children to complement their studies with relevant resources.

• A Leisure space: building a dedicated space for outdoor/physical activities such as a ping-pong table and basketball court.