Thursday night we had a big party and event for International Women's Day. First Latifa talked to all the girls about the Mudawwana, the 2004 law which gave women additional rights and protections. Latifa attended an event in her hometown, Moulay Brahim on the 8th and was given an award for the most outstanding woman in her town. Throughout this country I have met women who are the face of the new Morocco....islamist and feminist.
Anyway, back to the party......so Latifa talked to the girls about the importance of having pride and respect for themselves. She talked about the opportunity that they have being in this house and working so hard to try to be an example for themselves and their families and communities. She talked about the need for women to be able to support themselves. All of this I was told through one of the girls since she did it totally in Tashelhit. All of the girls participated in the discussion and it was wonderful to see. But it wasn't all serious. One of the older girls organized the younger ones to put on skits which seemed to be surrounding a girl getting married and her husband not treating her well and then returning to her home. There was a lot of hitting going on and even though the girls were laughing hysterically, I wonder how much abuse does go on at home. Anyway, it was fun to watch the girls in a different way...just acting like silly teenagers. The older girls then gave out awards to the girls for things like best marks in the house etc. One girl got an award that all the girls voted on for being the best girl that had come through the house in the 5 years that the house had been in existence. She, ofcourse cried mountains. Then they gave me a present which was a huge surprise. They all stood up and applauded and I cried buckets ofcourse. Then I told them in French what amazing women they were...and I guess I must be getting through, because most of them even understood what I said.
We then ate the macaroni and cheese that the girls and I had prepared early in the day. While it certainly wasn't all American Mac and Cheese (with powdered milk, farina, no Parmesan Cheese) the girls thought it was great. We also had artichokes which they weren't that crazy about. They eat artichokes here but put them in tagines and don't do the silly thing of peeling them and putting them in butter. Oh, and we had LOTS of Coke.
Then we all played music (Berber rock....bet you didn't even know that it existed) and we all danced for hours. It is amazing to me how much the girls love to dance....and they dance well. They are such normal teenagers sometimes, it is hard to remember how restricted their lives are outside of our house. And they LOVE the macarena, particularly the swinging hips part. At night between end of the school day and dinner, we all go up on the roof and listen to music and dance and sing...it is a great way to unwind.
Tomorrow I am off to Casa to get my passport. I even bought a new pair of shoes for the trip since I haven't been out of my clogs and hiking shoes and boots since I got here. Hopefully no surprises. With either the passport or the shoes.
Anyway, back to the party......so Latifa talked to the girls about the importance of having pride and respect for themselves. She talked about the opportunity that they have being in this house and working so hard to try to be an example for themselves and their families and communities. She talked about the need for women to be able to support themselves. All of this I was told through one of the girls since she did it totally in Tashelhit. All of the girls participated in the discussion and it was wonderful to see. But it wasn't all serious. One of the older girls organized the younger ones to put on skits which seemed to be surrounding a girl getting married and her husband not treating her well and then returning to her home. There was a lot of hitting going on and even though the girls were laughing hysterically, I wonder how much abuse does go on at home. Anyway, it was fun to watch the girls in a different way...just acting like silly teenagers. The older girls then gave out awards to the girls for things like best marks in the house etc. One girl got an award that all the girls voted on for being the best girl that had come through the house in the 5 years that the house had been in existence. She, ofcourse cried mountains. Then they gave me a present which was a huge surprise. They all stood up and applauded and I cried buckets ofcourse. Then I told them in French what amazing women they were...and I guess I must be getting through, because most of them even understood what I said.
We then ate the macaroni and cheese that the girls and I had prepared early in the day. While it certainly wasn't all American Mac and Cheese (with powdered milk, farina, no Parmesan Cheese) the girls thought it was great. We also had artichokes which they weren't that crazy about. They eat artichokes here but put them in tagines and don't do the silly thing of peeling them and putting them in butter. Oh, and we had LOTS of Coke.
Then we all played music (Berber rock....bet you didn't even know that it existed) and we all danced for hours. It is amazing to me how much the girls love to dance....and they dance well. They are such normal teenagers sometimes, it is hard to remember how restricted their lives are outside of our house. And they LOVE the macarena, particularly the swinging hips part. At night between end of the school day and dinner, we all go up on the roof and listen to music and dance and sing...it is a great way to unwind.
Tomorrow I am off to Casa to get my passport. I even bought a new pair of shoes for the trip since I haven't been out of my clogs and hiking shoes and boots since I got here. Hopefully no surprises. With either the passport or the shoes.
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