On the road with MEDA: Allan Sauder travels to Morocco
Pictured is MEDA Egypt and Morocco field project manager Adil Sadoz, far left, with his staff in their office in Casablanca, Morocco. MEDA president Allan Sauder notes that Adil, whose background is in microfinance, comes alive when presenting to youths about MEDA's project, Youth Invest. "He knows how to talk to kids and harness their energy. They were obviously responding well to him, too. – It was fun to see."
MEDA president Allan Sauder was struck with the energy and excitement he witnessed among Moroccan youth for a new MEDA project that provides training and access to financial services for young adults.
"They have dreams," notes Allan, "but no idea how to reach them." Allan sat in on a focus group held with about 25 youth to determine their needs and help set direction for a training curriculum now in development. In an interview that followed with five youths, discussion focused on their dreams for the future.
"One teaches sewing; her dream is to open a tailoring shop," Allan reports. "Another has dreams of owning a beauty shop. Two young men aged about 17 or 18 had vocational training in plumbing and electricity. One wanted a mentorship to gain skills and confidence to get a job, while the other wanted to start his own plumbing business. They are looking for training in how to go about doing so."
Youth Invest provides life skills and business training in a country where there are a number of vocational training centres, but no financial training for starting or operating a small business or basic life skills to get a job "to learn life skills we take for granted," notes Allan.
The program also encourages mentorship by linking youths to others who know their business well, so youths can work alongside someone as an intern for 1-2 months.
In addition to a need for credit, Allan also sees significant potential for a youth-oriented savings product. "Only one or two of 25 in the group had a savings account. It's just not a tradition like it is here in the Western world. But banks are starting to see in youth an opportunity for the future."
You can help
Even a small donation can make a big difference in the life of a Moroccan youth. In Morocco, youth unemployment is a huge social problem – 60% of the country's unemployed are young people.
Now, MEDA is reaching out to youth with financial services and training to help young Moroccans start their own business or become more employable. With your help they can create a better future for themselves and their families.
To donate, visit the MEDA Store or call 1-800-665-7026.
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