Coquet Youth Team trek
Members of Coquet Youth Team took part in a week long trek in Morocco
“It makes you think, we have so much and so many of these people have nothing” (KH)
In July six young people from the Amble area were part of a team undertaking a trek, walking and camping in the Tichka Plateau in Morocco, at 7500ft.
Organised by John Bell from Berwick Youth Project, and run as a joint venture with Northumberland Youth Service, the group was immersed in Moroccan culture for the duration of their visit.
After a day in Taroudont, a traditional Moroccan city, we headed for the mountains to begin the trek. Our bags and camp gear were carried on donkeys and mules, whilst we plodded along in temperatures of up to 42C.
Led by our Moroccan guide, Ali, we climbed up and over passes amidst breathtaking scenery, pausing for regular gulps of water in the heat. Our food was all freshly prepared by our cook and very healthy – lots of veg and salads and couscous.
We even took cricket stumps, a bat and ball with us as we knew that the others we would be with from Berwick were very into cricket.
Our evening games attracted a lot of attention from the locals who seemed to come from no-where in this remote mountain terrain to watch and play.
At the end of the trek we had one more day in Taroudont. It felt like pure luxury to have water from a tap again. We were sad that such an amazing time was coming to an end. We had made new friends and learnt so much about another culture. (Scott, John, Ben, Demi Kelly and Alexandra)
Reflecting on their experiences, one young person said “It was the best ten days of my life, and being with young people of your own age is great.” (JB)
On meeting up with the group a week later they said how much they were still “missing Morocco.”
Angela Manktelow
