Volunteering in Morocco was definitely one of the best experiences of my life so far. I didn’t have any teaching experience but that didn’t make a difference. The children and teenagers I taught languages to were so willing to learn! Living in Marrakech has taught me so many things in so little time. I learned more about Arabic and Berber culture (and can now actually speak very little Moroccan!), I took Moroccan cooking classes and I had time to explore the city. I also visited other Moroccan towns along the coast in the weekend which were breathtaking. Most importantly of all, I met some amazing people. It took very little for us volunteers to become very close, and we still are. The family was so welcoming. They made me and the other volunteers feel like we were part of the family and cooked delicious meals for us every day. I would recommend this experience to anyone! It honestly is life changing. You won’t regret it!
Health and Nutrition in Morocco - Marrakech
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
This program is ideal for:
Pre-medical, pre-nursing, medical and nursing students, nutritionists and qualified medical professionals who want to make a difference to the health of local communities.
Project details
Ready to make a real impact with your medical skills? Embark on an unforgettable journey with the Healthcare and Nutrition Project in Morocco! Gather a group of eight or more and dive into a week-long adventure, providing essential health services to rural communities near the vibrant city of Marrakech.
This is your chance to work alongside local professionals, stay within the heart of these communities, and truly experience the difference you can make. Our projects are tailored to fit your medical specialty and experience level, ensuring a meaningful and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
A special project for groups of eight or more, this is an opportunity designed for groups who want to do specific health outreach work in Morocco. You can help to treat and educate patients, provide check ups and help with health and nutrition education.
A volunteer Health and Nutrition Project involves assessment of the community needs, and rotations to include pediatrics, men’s and women’s health. The projects mean both children and adults are able to receive basic medical services in their own neighborhoods.
Why do Health and Nutrition Project volunteering in Morocco with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Health and Nutrition Project in Morocco you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to healthcare in the rural communities near Marrakech
- Developing your teamwork and communication skills
- Gaining medical and community health experience
- Practicing your Arabic and/or French
- Immersing yourself in the Moroccan culture
Volunteer requirements
- To join a Health and Nutrition Project volunteers must either be students in training at pre-medical or pre-nursing level and above, or fully qualified medical professionals or nutrition researchers.
- Volunteers must be a part of a group of eight or more.
- Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
- All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
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?
Morocco photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
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
Nestled at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is a vibrant city that weaves together the rich threads of Moroccan culture, history, and modern allure. Known as the “Red City” for its stunning terracotta buildings, Marrakech offers an enchanting blend of ancient medinas, bustling souks, and exquisite palaces.
During your program you’ll be based in one of the rural communities near Marrakech. You’ll have an opportunity to extend your trip to fully immerse yourself, browsing souks for local wares, taking in the Moorish architecture, and filling up on street food at Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) before 3pm on the Sunday before your start date.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the host family accommodation in the village where you’ll be based for your week of project activities. This transfer is included in your Program Fee.
Your orientation will take place before starting your project and will cover everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Morocco.
Volunteer schedule example
Day 1:
- Arrive in Marrakech, Airport transfer on arrival
- Travel to Village where outreach project will be based
- Check in to homestay
- Lunch
- Settle in and relax
- Dinner
Day 2:
- Breakfast
- Assessment of health situation in village
- Lunch
- Assessment of nutrition situation in village
- Free time
- Group meeting
- Dinner
Day 3:
- Breakfast
- Pediatric Project
- Lunch
- Pediatric Project
- Free time
- Group Meeting
- Dinner
Day 4:
- Breakfast
- Men’s Health Project
- Lunch
- Men’s Health Project
- Group meeting
- Dinner
Day 5:
- Breakfast
- Women’s Health Project
- Lunch
- Women’s Health Project
- Group meeting
- Dinner
Day 6:
- Breakfast
- See returning patients
- Lunch
- See returning patients
- Group meeting
- Dinner
Day 7 :
- After breakfast, return to Marrakech and transfer to the airport.
OPTIONAL 3 NIGHT EXTENSION - Price US$335 per person
Day 7:
- Return to Marrakech and check into your accommodation for the next 3 nights.
- Visit a Hamman (traditional bath-house)
- Sightseeing in Marrakech
- Dinner in Jemaa El-Fna
Day 8:
- Breakfast
- Day trip to Essaouira
- Beach time
- Return to Marrakech
- Dinner
Day 9:
- Breakfast
- Visit to Marrakech Medina
- Dinner
Day 10:
- Check out, transfer to airport, return home
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers are accommodated in a village 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, or Amazigh) 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. Volunteers are typically placed two or more per home depending on the facilities of the host family so please note that groups will be split amongst several different hosts. Some host families have showers while others have a traditional wood heated bath. It is important to note that Moroccan homes have a shared living environment in which Moroccan couches–sedari’s–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. WiFi may not be available in the village homestays. To keep connected, you can purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone upon arrival.
On your return to Marrakech, if you’re choosing to extend, you’ll stay at a hotel or a Ryad for 3 nights. Ryads are traditional houses located in the Medina (downtown). Volunteers are hosted on a twin or triple basis.
Meals
Volunteers on the Health and Nutrition Project are served breakfast and dinner each day. You’ll be responsible for your own lunches.
At the village, lunches can be provided upon request for approximately US$5/day. In Marrakech, if you choose to extend, you’ll have several places where you can purchase lunches, and dinners are organized at different restaurants.
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 $5 per week for 2 liters a day. If you have any special dietary requirements, please include these in your application.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £247) 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.
The Health and Nutrition Campaign program fee is from £886 per person for 1 week, subject to final group size, and includes 24/7 support, accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport transfers, local Medical Specialist who will be leading the campaign alongside your group, private transportation to placement daily, language translators, and program orientation. All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$370 per person on top of the Program Fee. A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
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.
Option 3 night sightseeing package - Marrakech & Essaouira
Affordable Arabic & French Language Lessons
Our local team in Morocco offer Arabic and French lessons to volunteers, which can be organised 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 £221)
- 2 weeks of lessons (20 hours) – US$537 (approximately £444)
- 3 weeks of lessons (30 hours) – US$802 (approximately £664)
- 4 weeks of lessons (40 hours) – US$1067 (approximately £883)
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 | 32.52 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.
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