The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/456562
Winter 2015 13 B eyond food, clothing, and shelter—and computers—children in orphanages need concerned adults who can motivate them to strive for a better future. Four WPI sophomores spent A-Term at Al Akhawayn University (AUI) in Ifrane, Morocco, launching a mentoring program for student volunteers there to encourage and tutor children at the Rita Zniber Foundation Orphanage in nearby Meknes. The project team learned about the challeng- es facing the 240 young people at the orphan- age through visits and interviews. Their main objective was to establish a sustainable volun- teer program in conjunction with AUI's stu- dent activities personnel. Outreach included newspaper articles, a Facebook page, and cam- pus television advertisements. They developed a guidebook with tips for volunteers, and a GoFundMe web campaign that raised almost $1,000 and will continue to channel dona- tions to the Zniber Foundation to assist gifted students who could beneft from private education. "Engaging in such a different culture and meeting children who have a signifcantly different living experience than anything we're familiar with really affected me," says Abigail DaBoll-LaVoie '16. "Instead of measur- ing results through numbers and tests, we saw the difference we were making through the smiles and excitement of the kids. The fact that we were able to make the slightest improve- ment for them, and especially the fact that our project was able to continue after we left, is really the most signifcant, impactful thing I have ever done." Jacquelyn Fanning '16 adds, "People can read and watch videos about anything in the world, but there is nothing that can compare to personal experience. Working with the orphanage in Morocco has opened my eyes to many things and made me much more grate- ful for everything that I have. I saw and inter- acted with over 200 of the sweetest children I've ever met. It breaks my heart knowing that they are growing up with no families. Howev- er, it does make me feel better knowing that so many people are reaching out to help these children in any way they can." role model Mentoring in Morocco IQP team establishes volunteer program for Moroccan college students to assist orphans W π