Anaelle Anders, 18 ans, est arrivée hier directement de Seattle à Agadir pour commencer un stage de 6 mois dans nos centres.
Voici ce qu’elle a écrit sur le processus de son recrutement :
“I discovered the Connect Institute through Omprakash in April of 2020, when I applied to be an intern. I was inspired by their mission to provide youth with the space and community to use and enhance their creativity. We had no idea how the Coronavirus was going to affect the future, and my plan to come to Morocco changed a lot over the year. I’m forever thankful to Marya Joudani, who communicated with me the whole time as we figured out how to go about this internship.
During quarantine, I got to attend some online theater sessions with Imane Noune. The class was at night for the participants so it worked well for me to attend in the mornings with the time change. Each of us attending voiced different characters as we read a play together, and we had a lot of fun. The atmosphere is one where you are encouraged to put yourself out there, make and learn from mistakes, and bring your personality into it.
I received a warm welcome upon arriving in Morocco. As I stepped out of the Agadir airport, I saw Marya Joudani, the program coordinator, and Zach, a Connect Institute participant. On the way to the Connect Institute, we even stopped by Zach’s family farm, where I got to meet Zee, his sister (they kindly shortened their names for me). The farm was stunning. It was an artisan paradise, with a beautiful greenhouse full of plants and large canopies for art mediums of many varieties. I saw many art projects under the canopy – crystals, mosaic tables, fountains, and fossils.
People were so friendly when we arrived at the Connect Institute. I was able to catch the last bit of the talent show. Marya first led me to meet Taha Balafrej, the Connect Institute founder, and Driss El Maloumi, who happens to be the world’s greatest lute player. I nervously introduced myself to the participants, and told them of my first impressions of the Connect Institute. It really is inspiring. I see a supportive, passionate, driven, vibrant community. The participants care deeply about their art and are willing to challenge themselves.
My first day also included eating dinner with many of the participants, which Zineb and Samira made for everyone. After that, I sat with Zee and Zach as they worked on their film project. I don’t have the full picture for their play or film yet, but from what I heard the film is going to show hope through the hardships and shortcomings of the world. Zee is working on a poster for the film. Needless to say, I’m very excited for what they’re doing.
I am learning many new things already from just one night here. Samira and Zineb were teaching me how to say “right”, “left”, and “straight” in Arabic so that I will be able to take taxis. We took a taxi after grocery shopping, and before that we attended a lecture session at Dar Momkin. It was my first time to be at this center. We discussed a video on the C&S school in Japan, a music school that seeks transformation of youth through music. This school did a musical exchange project with a school in Ireland where they wrote a song together during quarantine. One of the things that stood out to me was how the C&S staff described music as a way to have deeper conversations and more meaningful personal change.
I see similarities between the Connect Institute and C&S in this way. When participants go deeper into what they’re passionate about, they are able to relate to others through their art. I am really looking forward to more discussions like this and getting to know the Connect Institute better. It’s amazing that this is only one or two days of being here, because I have seen and experienced so much. I feel honored to be here, and excited for what is next.”
