News from the "Back to School" Project in Morocco
On June 25th Elena Pistorio and volunteer Francesca Ferrari visited the newly completed school building that holds the Foundation's 40 beneficiaries enrolled in the Official Non Formal Education Program at the Azrou Center for Community Development.   The school building consists of two vocational training workshops, two classrooms, library, computer room, and canteen and kitchen. The School was
funded by the Foundation along with
a number of local
partners.
The NFE Program was rolled out in Morocco several years ago by the Ministry of Education to counter the growing and alarming rates of school drop outs. The Pistorio Foundation collaborates with and supports the NFE Program of the Azrou Center benefitting 40 underprivileged children.
The aim is to reinsert these children into the public school systems empowered by a two year NFE program that will allow them to catch up with the school curriculum. Most of these students had been out of school for several years prior to joining our Center. Elena, Francesca, and Country Manager Mohamed Lasry met with students, teachers, and families of students.
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Country Manager Mohamed Lasry with Minister for Education Rachid Belmokhtar
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Elena Pistorio with Minister for Education Minister Rachid Belmokhtar and Malika Benbella Director of Azrou Center with staff and cooks of the new school
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The school visit was followed by a Graduation Ceremony for those completing the NFE Program and Azrou's Vocational Training Programs held at the Azrou Center. Education Minister Mr. Rachid Belmokhtar graced the event with his presence, as well as Professors from the Al Akhawayn University, and Azrou Center director Malika Benbella. To date, the program has had a resounding success: since its launch in 2010, 36 students have been reinserted in the public school system - 4 in Primary, 6 in Secondary, 26 in Professional School.Of these, 10 have completed Professional School. The Foundation enrolls new beneficiaries in need as former students complete the program and join the public school system.
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