eve branson foundation newsletter - Kasbah Tamadot - Virgin

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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLE TER 

NEWS AN DEVELOpmENTS FROm 

ThE hIgh ATLAS mOUNTAINS 

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NEWS AND DEVELOpmENTS FROm 





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The Virgin Foundation (operating as “Virgin Unite”). Registered office: Hanover House, 14 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1HP. Company No. 02155645. UK Registered Charity Number 297540. 

KASBAH TAMADOT • ASNI • ASSELDA • TIMZRA • TANSGHART • IMSKER 




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issue 15 SEpTEmBER 2011 




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ISSUE 9 MAY 2009 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2009 ISSUE 11 DECEMBER 2009 

EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLETTER 





K A S B A H TA M A D OT • A S N I • A S S E L DA • T I M Z R A • TA N S G H A RT • I M S K E R 

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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLETTER 



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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLETTER 

ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 2008 ISSUE 7 AUGUST 2008 ISSUE 8 APRIL 2009 ISSUE 9 MAY 2009 

NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS FROM 

THE HIGH ATLAS MOUNTAINS 


COMPILED BY EVE BRANSON 

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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLETTER 



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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

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NEWS AN DEVELOPMENTS FROM 



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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLE TER 

KASBAH TAMADOT • ASNI • A SELDA • TIMZRA • TANSGHART • IMSKER 


NEWSLETTERS FOR GUESTS AT KASBAH TAMADOT, 

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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

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NEWS AND DEVELOPMENTS FROM 


ISSUE 17 APRIL 2012 



ISSUE 17 April 2012 

EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLETTER 



issue 13 OCTOBER 2010 


5620 Eve Branson Newsle ter_AW.indd 1 30/04/2012 10:07 

ISSUE 13 OCTOBER 2010 ISSUE 14 DECEMBER 2010 

We only print a limited number of 

newsletters for guests at Kasbah Tamadot, 

however all the issues are available in 

electronic format. 

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EVE BRANSON 

FOUNDATION 

NEWSLETTER 

News and Developments from 

the High Atlas Mountains 

issue 18 November 2012 

compiled by eve branson 





The Virgin Foundation (operating as “Virgin Unite”). Registered office: Hanover House, 14 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1HP. Company No. 02155645. UK Registered Charity Number 297540. 

KASBAH TAMADOT • ASNI • ASSELDA • TIMZRA • TANSGHART • IMSKER

EXPLORING THE HIGH ATLAS 

I recently returned to my son Richard’s hotel in Morocco’s 

Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Tamadot. This time I was joined by 

my American friend Tim Souris, a key man in the Eve Branson 

Foundation. His American team of volunteers organise a gala 

event in Los Angeles once a year called ‘Rock the Kasbah’ which 

makes sufficient funds to keep the Eve Branson Foundation 

operating for a full year – both liquid and alive! 

On our first day we met up with The President of Marrakech 

University, Driss Ouaouicha, and the Moroccan Ambassador 

for Los Angeles – both busy and important people. We met for 

breakfast before taking them first to Tamgounsi, a local village 

where we were met by 60 local girls who were squeezed into 

a small room. With excitement, joy, happiness and anticipation 

they plied us with mint tea and homemade cookies. 

These girls leave school at 13 with no skills, no training and no 

further opportunities, save perhaps to look after a cow or wait 

until the prospect of marriage comes their way. Yes, the urgency 

to build a craft house and arrange for a craft teacher seems 

imperative - the challenge is on… I next took the university 

team over the river to Tansghart, a village we found four years 

ago. Starting with only three girls, today 30 girls turn up for 

their tuition and English lessons each day. 

CASHMERE GOATS 

There was just time to take Driss down past a beautiful fruitful 

valley to see my herd of pure white Cashmere goats which graze 

amidst rabbits and chickens. 

The team was captivated by the goats, especially my favourite 

‘Bella’, who was orphaned at birth but who now will reciprocate 

any love shown to her by any attentive guest! Below this 

miniature farmstead is a small empty patch of land which a 

generous American donor is giving us the money to buy and 

build a potter’s kiln and eventually employ a teacher. 

I hope in my next newsletter to report that not only are the girls 

and boys being taught at the potter’s wheel, but that they are 

selling their pottery designs in our gift shop, benefitting both 

the recipient and the Eve Branson Foundation. 

The next day I was up early for a stroll along the rosemarylined 

perfumed hotel path. All was at peace save for the birds 

chattering and the distant awakening sounds of a crowing 

cock, a grunting cow and a braying donkey. The sun was gaining 

height by the minute as the hotel staff arrived, smartly dressed 

in their brown uniforms, to prepare comforts by the pool for 

the guests. I sat on a bench in Kasbah Tamadot’s orchard, a ping 

pong table nearby, two tennis courts and a new Jacuzzi – all 

tastes catered for in this luxury hotel. 

No guests had appeared as I drifted off to breakfast on the 

balcony… Mozart was playing softly but first time for a swim 

and a massage – luxury indeed! Time to now ‘put back’! This 

time over the river, a half hour drive into the higher Atlas 

Mountains to Imsker, a village surely in need of help as it has 

no water or electricity (we have already bought a small plot of 

land in the centre). 

So amidst walnut, pear, peach and apple trees in this simple 

village where generosity abounds, old, locally handmade carpets 

had been laid out and in the middle an old kettle brewing on an 

old primus stove. 

at you”. Back then we approached bravely, with just three girls 

lined up who did not even know how to use a needle. We now 

have 30 girls each day, plotting, drawing and cutting out with 

contended smiles. We left them to wander down to see the 

new-born baby Cashmere goats before discussing the best 

position for a pottery shed. Now if funds stretch, I am ever 

hopeful to be able to help the boys in the village as well. 

However just one more mad idea that may not happen. I awoke 

one night thinking, “we must surely be able to make our own 

funds? What fun… let’s have a Polo match: Moroccan Guards vs. 

Windsor Guards”. Hearing of a new polo ground near Marrakech 

I brazenly suggested to the owner, Amar, who was somewhat 

surprised but thrilled at the very suggestion! 

So come next year perhaps you too might see this idea come 

to fruition (with a bit of luck!). Or will it be just another of my 

mad ideas going hopelessly wrong? Or could it be a wonderful 

two days combining England and Morocco on the Polo ground? 

Who knows? 

REFLECTIONS 

Later on the return journey with the help of Brahim Bendar, 

Kasbah Tamadot’s House Manager, and the architect we 

discussed our future plans for the craft house. Whilst on the 

road we passed heavily laden donkeys and ladies carrying a bale 

of straw with one hand, the other clutching a child whilst on 

their heads a precariously balanced old pot. As well as teaching 

the girls craft skills, we hope to give the hotel guests a meal up 

here on the sun drenched balcony followed by a ride on our two 

mules. On your next visit to Kasbah Tamadot, why not come 

and enjoy the girls of Imsker’s hospitality? 

EVE BRANSON 

With excitement, joy, happiness 

and anticipation they plied us with 

mint tea and homemade cookies. 

On the final day of my stay I rose early to hear cuckoos 

and cocks crowing in the distance while the donkey brayed, 

but, reluctantly I must leave Kasbah Tamadot. First over to 

Tansghart to see 30 girls, heads down as they beaver away 

plotting their own designs as the dress maker instructs them on 

how to make their own clothes. 

How proud I felt thinking back five years when for this very 

village I was told “you don’t want to go there, they throw stones

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