Northeastern Co-op Facilitates Recovery Efforts in Morocco Following Earthquake
The article discusses Michaela Creel’s co-op experience with the High Atlas Foundation following a significant earthquake in Morocco. It highlights her contributions to recovery efforts in rural communities, the foundation’s focus on sustainability, women’s empowerment, and community-driven agricultural development, while also reflecting on Creel’s cultural immersion during her time abroad.
In response to the devastating earthquake that struck Morocco in September, Northeastern student Michaela Creel engaged in significant recovery efforts through her co-op with the High Atlas Foundation. This organization, established by former Peace Corps volunteers in 2000, is dedicated to sustainable development within rural farming communities in Morocco, particularly in the High Atlas mountain region, known for its traditional cultivation of olives and almonds. Creel, an international affairs and cultural anthropology major, sought a practical application of her studies and found her calling with the High Atlas Foundation. The organization emphasizes three main pillars: enhancing agricultural practices, empowering women through business education, and designing sustainable water systems. The foundation’s approach is deeply community-centered, focusing on the needs articulated by local residents, thereby ensuring the relevance and sustainability of its initiatives. During her co-op in early 2024, Creel’s responsibilities primarily revolved around communications, where she collaborated with teams distributing saplings to farmers, visiting local markets, and assisting in the reconstruction of water canals damaged by the earthquake. Her work also involved creating engaging content for the foundation’s website, highlighting the ongoing restoration efforts and the foundation’s impact. A standout project for Creel was the development of an interactive virtual tour of one of the foundation’s nurseries, allowing users to engage with a nursery caretaker and learn about the organization’s tree-planting efforts. Additionally, living with fellow co-op students in a vibrant neighborhood enabled Creel to embrace the local culture. She formed connections with her neighbors, experienced community traditions firsthand—such as sharing meals during Ramadan—and discovered a depth of engagement and warmth that enhanced her understanding of Moroccan culture beyond the classroom environment.
In September 2023, Morocco was struck by a major earthquake that greatly affected rural communities, particularly within the High Atlas mountains known for their agricultural practices. This natural disaster escalated the urgent need for recovery and sustainable development initiatives in the region. The High Atlas Foundation emerged as a pivotal organization, established to support local farmers through sustainable agricultural practices, women’s empowerment, and the development of water systems. Michaela Creel’s co-op experience with this foundation placed her in a unique position to witness and contribute to these recovery efforts firsthand.
Michaela Creel’s co-op experience with the High Atlas Foundation exemplifies the intersection of academic knowledge and practical application in the field. Through her hands-on involvement in recovery efforts following the earthquake, she not only contributed to vital community initiatives but also immersed herself in the rich cultural tapestry of Morocco. The work of the High Atlas Foundation in promoting sustainable practices while addressing immediate post-disaster needs illustrates the importance of community-driven approaches in humanitarian efforts.
Original Source: news.northeastern.edu
