I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking a meaningful way to travel and make a difference. No matter which project you choose, you'll get to experience various aspects of local life and traditional cuisine while supporting a community that values education. I especially appreciated the delicious local food and the warm hospitality of my host family.
Women's Empowerment Volunteer Program in Morocco
Purpose
Support women to gain financial independence
Start dates
Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 2-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Volunteers who speak French and/or Arabic and are interested in helping to address the challenges of inequality women face in Morocco.
Project details
Interested in being a Women’s Empowerment volunteer in Morocco? International Volunteer HQ’s Women’s Empowerment project empowers volunteers and sharpens their leadership. Volunteers assist with a wide range of learning opportunities for women who may be unemployed, illiterate or otherwise disadvantaged. Women in Morocco suffer great inequalities and volunteers are needed to help them upskill. Volunteers will help women to gain confidence which can boost their independence, job prospects and financial security.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Many women in Morocco suffer from poverty, illiteracy and unemployment. This affects their social standing and, in turn, their children’s education. Since a national directive in 2005, the Moroccan government has been working to improve women’s education and health, and is eager to promote income-generating activities for women. However, volunteers are still needed to help to deliver these goals.
As a Women’s Empowerment volunteer you will help to enable local Moroccan women and young girls to improve their literacy levels in English, French and Arabic, and to provide them with professional development opportunities.
Volunteer tasks can vary but usually involve
- Running cooking classes
- Sewing
- Computer training
- Offering academic support
- Occasional childcare
- Volunteers are requested to share any other skills they master and want to empower women with. For example, Sports, IT, Manual work, etc.
These tasks are dependent on your program duration and language ability. Many of the women this project helps will have little to no English so longer term volunteers who can communicate in French or Arabic are more likely to be able to help effectively.
Why do Women's Empowerment volunteering in Morocco with IVHQ?
When you volunteer in Morocco you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving learning opportunities for women
- Helping women gain and develop skills in a safe place
- Practicing your French, Arabic and English
- Gaining a range of volunteer experiences
- Immersing yourself in Moroccan culture
- Discovering Morocco’s rich history
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English - and while being able to speak French or Arabic is not a requirement, any language ability you do have will be an asset to your time on the project and make communication with the women easier.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Morocco photo gallery
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Women's Empowerment project
IVHQ Sports Development project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Health and Nutrition project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Teaching French project
IVHQ Health and Nutrition project
IVHQ Women's Empowerment project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Sports Development project
IVHQ Teaching English project
IVHQ Health and Nutrition project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
IVHQ volunteer orientation
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Morocco during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
EG
Elena Gherghe
26 Sep 2024
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HK
Hibah Khan
20 Aug 2024
I loved this program because the volunteer work was so fulfilling! The host family was amazing and Morocco was such a beautiful country to explore.
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JG
Juliana Garzon
13 Oct 2023
It is very important to be open to learn and open to hear different opinions than ones that we are used to. In such an experience, you will find yourself once again, you will find what and who really matters in your life, and who you really are! Going with the flow and living in the present moment will make you enjoy every single minute of your experience and you will be able to experience happiness on another level!
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SC
Sarah Clayton
25 Sep 2023
Do what makes you comfortable and try everything there is to offer. Morocco is super friendly and immerse yourself in everything the country and culture has to offer!
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KE
Katharina Ebert
31 Aug 2023
Be open towards new cultures and experiences because this is the most intense way to get to know another country!
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MD
Margaret Davino
14 Jul 2022
My daughter and I taught English to women in Rabat, Morocco, and loved it. The placement was very worthwhile and interesting. We can't say enough good things about our host mom and how she made us feel like a part of her family, and our local volunteer coordinator, who made sure that we were comfortable with everything we did and everywhere we went.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
Rabat is a bustling, beautiful place and the capital city of Morocco. With a vibrant mixture of African, Berber and European cultures, it is a fascinating place to visit. It’s the home of Morocco’s king and his court, a huge number of mosques and monuments, an old Medina listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a wide range of other interesting things to see and do.
While Morocco has made progress towards improving quality of life for its citizens, there is still a huge socioeconomic gap between those with wealth and those without, and a big difference in access to basic necessities in rural and urban areas. Employment can be especially difficult to come by. Volunteers can help address the challenges of inequality and poverty by assisting with a range of projects that aim to continue to develop society and equality in Morocco. Volunteer projects are located in Rabat, Casablanca, Sale, Kenitra, Temara and Mehdia.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Rabat on the Sunday before orientation. After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Rabat International Airport (RBA). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Rabat, Casablanca or Sale (location will depend on proximity to your specific placement). Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Morocco prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at the Rabat Ville Train Station on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our Moroccan team at the volunteer base in Rabat. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Morocco – an introduction to Morocco, Moroccan customs, rules and expectations, language lessons, safety, travel opportunities in Morocco, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and break times are dependent on each project and placement. Volunteers taking Arabic or French language lessons spend half the day volunteering and the other half of the day taking language lessons. A typical volunteer day would be as follows
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast at your homestay. |
| 9:00 - 10:00 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements to begin work. |
| 2:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing. |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner at the homestay. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Rabat and Morocco. In Rabat, you can visit the ancient city ruins of Chellah, learn to surf, treat your senses to the charms of the market stalls in the old Medina, see any of the city’s large number of sacred and religious sites, mosques and monuments, take a traditional steam bath, wander the pretty blue and white streets of the Kasbah des Oudaias, or take in a beautiful garden or art gallery.
Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to destinations, such as Marrakech, Merzouga, Tinghir, Fes, Meknes, Volubilis, Tangier, and Gibraltar, Andalusia and Portugal in southern Europe.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a homestay with a local family. It is exciting to stay with a family, as this is an opportunity to learn the Moroccan way of life, meet local people, eat local food, speak the local language (Darija: the Moroccan Arabic dialect) and engage in local customs and traditions. These families receive money from your program fee for support, food and board.
Living is basic, yet still comfortable, and most homestays have electricity and running water. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers, however in some homestays volunteers have their own rooms. It is important to note that Moroccan homes have a shared living environment in which Sdaders - Moroccan couches - are used for sitting and dining during the day and as beds at night.
Bedding is provided, but it is recommended you bring your own towel and toiletries, as well as a sleeping bag if you wish to travel on the weekends.
WiFi is available in the majority of the homestays in Morocco. To keep connected, you can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone.
Meals
Volunteers in Morocco are served breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.
Influenced by African, Arab, Moorish and Berber cuisines, Moroccan cooking blends Mediterranean fruits and vegetables with spices. A Moroccan meal often begins with a series of hot and cold salads, followed by a Moroccan stew called tagine, and bread. Lamb and chicken dishes are common, as is couscous topped with meat and vegetables.
The consumption of pork and alcohol are prohibited, as per Muslim dietary restrictions. Drinking mint tea is a daily tradition and bread is eaten with nearly every meal.
Bottled water is readily available in Morocco and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 (approximately CA$7) per week for 2 liters a day. If you have any special dietary requirements, please include these in your application.
Typical volunteer homestay
Typical volunteer living room
Typical volunteer living room
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
View from a volunteer homestay
IVHQ volunteers dining
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately CA$439), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$439) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $715 Equivalent to $51/day |
| 3 weeks | $930 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,145 Equivalent to $41/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,360 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,575 Equivalent to $38/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,005 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,325 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,645 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,270 Equivalent to $29/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,890 Equivalent to $28/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,510 Equivalent to $27/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$439) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Morocco generally find US$40 to be sufficient for weekly expenses.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Morocco
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Morocco program.
Extra Night of Accommodation
Arriving early or departing a few days after your program has finished? Book your extra nights of accommodation.
From CA$58
Arabic Language Lessons
Improve your Arabic language skills while volunteering in Morocco.
From CA$392
French Language Lessons
Improve your French language skills while volunteering in Morocco.
From CA$392
Affordable Arabic & French Language Lessons
Our local team in Morocco offer Arabic and French lessons to volunteers, which can be organized and paid for in advance through IVHQ. Lessons are tailored to each volunteer’s current level of Arabic or French and will be for 2 hours per day Monday through Friday. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons can help you immensely with your day to day volunteer work and communicating with local people.
- 1 week of lessons (10 hours) – US$267 (approximately CA$392)
- 2 weeks of lessons (20 hours) – US$537 (approximately CA$789)
- 3 weeks of lessons (30 hours) – US$802 (approximately CA$1178)
- 4 weeks of lessons (40 hours) – US$1067 (approximately CA$1568)
Please make a note in your application or contact your IVHQ Program Manager after you have registered for the program if you would like to add language lessons to your Morocco volunteer experience.
Check what's required to visit Morocco
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Rabat |
| Population | 36.47 million |
| Languages | Arabic and Berber |
| Currency | Moroccan Dirham (MAD) |
| Time zone | UTC±00:00 |
Weather and climate
Morocco has a Mediterranean climate that is generally hot and dry for most of the year, with cooler, yet still mild, temperatures and rainfall during the winter months between November and March. Morocco has widely varying terrain and the climate varies greatly throughout the country. Temperatures can be incredibly high in the southern and south eastern desert areas whereas, the temperature drops considerably in the higher lying mountainous areas, even dropping to freezing point at night. In Rabat, temperatures reach an average high of 27°C (80.6°F) in the summer months and an average high of 17°C (62.6°F) in the winter months. Temperatures can drop to an average of 7°C (44.6°F) in the winter and it is generally always cold in the evenings throughout the year.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
