eve branson foundation newsletter - Kasbah Tamadot - Virgin

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