The Dar Chebab Zone

In Moroccan Arabic Dar Chebab means "Youth House". This is where we spent most our time when we were not with our host families during our community based training, and will also be a place we will work frequently when we get to our final site. In the mornings and early afternoons the Dar Chebab was our quiet and tranquil space where we received language training from our cultural and language facilitator. But from 4:00-6:00pm, it would live up to its name's sake and transform itself into the House of the Youth. During this time, we as a Community Based Training Group did our best to practice the technical skills of working with the youth in English class, clubs, and camp activities. And when I say "technical" I mean anything that attempts to entertain, edify, and manage groups of 5 to 50 or more children when you have the language proficiency of a toddler; kind of like "Kindergarden Cop" only if Arnold Schwartzenegger never learned to speak English. Okay, its not that extreme, but I like the image. 

However, for every english class gone awry, every "boom-chika-boom" call and response that dragged on for an eternity, or every kickball game that was never fully understood, there were moments of greatness that stirred our souls. Like that talent show where youth performed a silent and sobering skit put to music depicting the challenges faced by those with AIDS. Or the participatory community assessment where space was opened to allow boys and girls to talk seriously (most likely for the first time) about gender based issues that affect them in their town. Or that time we drew a crowd of spectators just because we were playing soccer, with girls. Yes, the Dar Chebab is a chaotic and strange place, unlike their schools, unlike their homes, unlike their streets; a place where children come to have fun, to learn skills and develop assets. And a place, where every now and then, Peace Corps volunteers country-wide are humbled by catching glimpses of Morocco's future.