Overview
Under the NGO Support Volunteer Program, participants are placed with local NGO's working towards the upliftment of the society and the downtrodden in Rabat. NGO's focus on many areas of work including human rights, child issues, women rights, education, skilled learning, strengthening the government accountability etc.
Today NGOs in Morocco are playing a vital role to strengthen community living and bridge the gap between common man and the government. Volunteers looking for a great and affordable volunteer program in Morocco can consider joining the NGO support program in and around Rabat. This is a great volunteer work opportunity for gap year travelers who are looking to make a difference in the society. By working for this project, volunteers will be providing significant input in restructuring the weaker community section in Rabat. No matter what skills a volunteer possess, each and every resource counts and would help create a difference.
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible and open-minded. You should also be proactive and have the ability to take initiative All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program.
Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities
Joining the NGO support volunteering program in Morocco requires a high level of responsibility and dedication. Volunteer, typically, will be required to execute the following tasks;
- Help with their skills and expertise in computers, IT, education, filling, updating social media, marketing, and administrative work
- Plan and design community events and more.
- Help out in documentation work.
- Guide the NGOs with ideas and skills to do their work in a better way.
Volunteer Work Schedule
Volunteering Solutions provide accommodation in Morocco with a local host family or a at a volunteer house in Rabat. The schedule for the volunteers remains as follows;
- Sunday - Arrival at Rabat
- Monday - Orientation + introduction to the placement (commute + local staff + kids +
- places to eat, etc.). An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Morocco.
- Tuesday to Fri - Volunteer work
- Breakfast - 08:00 am onwards (provided at the accommodation)
- Leave for the project - 09:00 am
- Working hours at the placement - 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
- Lunch - 12:00 pm onwards (volunteers need to manage lunch on their own)
- Dinner - 08:00 pm onwards (provided at the accommodation)
The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards
Weekends - Free to explore the city, and do activities such as;
Travel with their other volunteers to Fez, Marrakech, Chefchouan Marrakech or the Merzouga the desert. Explore the world's heritage sites of Rabat such as Hassan Tower, Kasbah Oudaya, Chellah, the beach, the Souks inside the Medina and more
Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.
Living
Stay in Rabat is as good as it can get, VolSol volunteers get a chance to live with the local host families, experience their culture and cuisines. As far as airport transfers, food and city break trips are concerned, VolSol facilitates those for you.
Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from the airport (in Rabat) or the bus terminal / Train Station in Rabat and are transferred to their home stay accommodations. For those volunteers arriving at Casablanca, you can take the train from the airport to Rabat Ville train station directly.
Accommodation
Volunteers in Rabat project have the option of staying in the volunteer house accommodation or at a host family accommodation. While staying at the volunteer house accommodation would be a great experience as you would meet other likeminded participants from around the world, the host family accommodation would be a great cultural immersion as well.
The volunteer house accommodation has five rooms which are shared between the participants. The accommodation is located in a very safe and calm area. The house has a big kitchen and showers for the volunteer use with a terrace as well. The volunteer house is merely 10-15 minutes distance from some of the projects where our volunteers work. The house is equipped with Wifi internet as well however it can be intermittent.
The Riad is located in the Medina area and all the volunteer projects and tourist sites are located within close proximity
Orientation
All volunteers are given an orientation and briefing on arrival. The session shall be conducted by the local coordinator and shall cover important topics about your program,your roles and responsibilities, things to do, safety guidelines, transportation, places to visit, culture and traditions and basic do’s and dont’s.
Meals
2 Moroccan meals (Breakfast and dinner) will be provided in this project. Typical dinner meals include Couscous, Meat, Bread, Soup, Salad, Olives etc. Breakfast usually comprises of Tea, Coffee, Bread, Yoghurt and Cereals whereas dinner includes a traditional Moroccan dish.Volunteers need to purchase their own lunch. There are plenty of restaurants in the Medina area or near your project.Eating out is not very expensive and there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
During your Free Time
During the weekdays volunteers usually enjoy roaming around the Medina area where the volunteer Riad is located. You will be located in the heart of the Old quarter area in Rabat which is characterized by small winding alleys and traditional markets. You can visit the Le Tour Hassan mosque or explore the Kasbah Les Oudaias area in Rabat as well. On the weekends volunteers head out further afield to places such as Fez, Marrakech or the desert area.
Program Cost
Please Note: -An application fee of £149 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
What are you Paying for?
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pickup from Rabat International Airport or Rabat Ville Train Station and transfer to accommodation
- Orientation on arrival
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Internet access at local office
- 100% Financial Protection
- UK Based Support
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- Airfare
- Visa and Visa extension fee
- Airport taxes
- Local Transportation
- Any personal expenses
Program Dates
| Months | 2021 | 2022 |
| January | 0317 | 0216 |
| February | 0721 | 0620 |
| March | 0721 | 0620 |
| April | 0418 | 0317 |
| May | 0216 | 0115 |
| June | 0620 | 0519 |
| July | 0418 | 0317 |
| August | 0115 | 0721 |
| September | 0519 | 0418 |
| October | 0317 | 0216 |
| November | 0721 | 0620 |
| December | 0519 | 0418 |
FAQ's
FAQ's Application and Program Details
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Morocco is a country of different culture and traditions, though it is modernized, the cultural sensitivities need to be kept in mind before volunteering in Morocco.
The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Volunteers need to have Clean Criminal Background Check Report for the childcare projects.
Knowledge of Arabic / French for the Women Empowerment and NGO Support projects.
Participants must be in good health.
If you are unable to find flights on the scheduled for the arrival dates, please get in touch with Volunteering Solutions team and we would be happy to provide you the pickup and accommodation from a different date depending on your flight schedule. You will need to pay extra charges for the accommodation depending on the number of days you arrive before the program start date.
A brief orientation would be conducted on the same or the next day where you will also be shown the area around the accommodations, the nearest ATM, market, and will be given safety guidelines as well as information about your project.
Flights and Visa
All enrolled participants are provided information on the appropriate visa requirements for Morocco in the Pre-departure manual. You can also contact your Pre-departure point of contact to know more about the visa requirements.
You can also arrive at Casablanca Airport as it has more international flight connections. From Casablanca, you can travel to Rabat by train.
From Casablanca, you can arrive in Rabat by a convenient one hour train ride. Volunteers will be received at the Rabat Ville Station by the local coordinator or representative and will be transferred to the volunteer accommodation.
The train ride from Casablanca to Rabat Ville is for 1:30 hrs.
You can click here for more information about the trains.
Health and Safety
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
Accommodation and Living
The volunteer house accommodation has five rooms which are shared between the participants. The accommodation is located in a very safe and friendly neighborhood. The house has a big kitchen and showers for the volunteers use.
The project placements are around 10-15 minutes away from the accommodations, also volunteers will be served 2 meals a day. We recommend participants to try their hands at some amazing Moroccan cuisine.
Connect with Past Volunteers
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the ‘Meet a Volunteer’ section on our website.
