The Atlas Cultural Foundation helps under served Moroccans improve their quality of life. ACF is a project of Adirondack Sustainable Communities, Inc. a registered 501(c)3 organization with EIN # 20-2015699. All donations are tax deductible.

In 2012, ACF will launch the education and literacy initiative in partnership with the Iqra Fund. ACF is currently drafting partnerships with the Moroccan Ministry of Education and local associations for this program. This initiative will support the following:

• Scholarships for Girls

The scholarship program will be a long-term, sustainable commitment to girls to continue their educations through high school and potentially through a university degree.  Girls dream about continuing their education past primary school but are unable to do so in remote regions of Morocco.  Often times both parents would enthusiastically allow their daughters to go to a nearby city for junior high and high school, but the boarding and tuition fees are too financially burdensome.  Scholarship candidates are selected based on financial need, family support, student’s academic ability, community-service interests, and community-wide support.

• Primary School Tutoring and Preschool Programs

In rural Morocco a child’s primary school education is conducted in Arabic by teachers who only speak Arabic and French.  The children have only been exposed to a Berber dialect at home and his/her parents have not been able to teach him/her any basic formal education skills.  The humiliation and fear of not speaking the same language as the teacher can keep children from finishing their primary education.  These first formal years of education are incredibly significant for the success and future of a child’s education.  The preschool programs will teach children ages 4-6 years basic language, social, and formal learning skills.  The preschool programs will follow the Moroccan Ministry of Education curriculum to maintain consistency, sustainability, and potential future government support and funding.

• Adult Literacy Programs

Illiteracy in rural Morocco is extremely high and can reach over 70% in some of the more impoverished regions. The adult literacy programs will provide literacy centers and funding for literacy instructors and materials, especially for women.  Community ownership over the literacy centers is promoted by requiring local associations to help maintain a guiding committee for each center.  Community members will demonstrate leadership, organization, and maintenance over the adult literacy program.

• Community Library Centers

Libraries are more than just a building full of books and resources.  Libraries can serve as a powerful community center driven by a desire to learn. Library and community learning centers are also integral to community-centered educational development initiatives.  Library programs include literacy workshops, tutoring, and other skills-based trainings.