UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE
Almost every week in Morocco you'll hear a story about a child found alone in the street—whispers that a baby was left near a garbage dump. These are realities in Morocco, where abortion is mostly illegal, sexual relations outside of marriage are forbidden by law, and social stigma can press some mothers to abandon their children.
Illegitimate children in Morocco are technically illegal. Many have no papers and no last name and are treated as outcasts; and while it is possible to register and legitimize them through legal avenues, it has sometimes been an ordeal for the unwed mothers, who rightly fear that they may end up in prison. Between poverty and religious stigma- in the Muslim religion it is forbidden to have sex before you are married - plus a disproportionately high rate of disabled babies being discarded—there is a host of fears around the thousands of children who are abandoned every year, a number that has reached over 10,000 a year and thought to be increasing nationally.
Taken from Pacific Standard
some answers to your questions…
Where do the children come from?
In some societies unmarried mothers are stigmatized and excluded from their families and social life. Those extreme circumstances force new mothers to place their newborns in front of a church, a mosque or a police station, and sadly in some cases on the side of the road or in a dumpster. The official figures for Morocco state that over 10,000 babies are abandoned every year. Mostly, the children end up in overcrowded reception centers. Many of our children come from such places.
What condition are the children in when they arrive to the village?
A lot of our babies have already been traumatized before they were even born. Many of their birth mothers have tried to terminate the pregnancy by all means. Other children come from broken homes, have experienced terrible things and are very rigid and frightened when they come to us. It is great to see how they adjust and prosper over the course of time once they get acclimated. We have to take all efforts to ensure that each child can overcome their trauma and feels loved, protected and appreciated.
How many children live at the village?
Currently, there are 170 children that call Dar Bouidar their home. Children range in age from newborn to 13 years old.
How long do the children stay at the village for?
The children are essentially adopted by the village and remain at the village until they are old enough to live independently. They will live at the village until they are ready to go to university,
Can I adopt a child?
Unfortunately you can not adopt a child, however you can support a child. By supporting a child you will cover all of their monthly costs- food, clothing, shelter, education, medical needs and care. Our goal is to have all children supported at the village. This is the most wonderful gift you could give a child.
Where do the foster moms come from?
In most cases, our “mothers” who care for the children come from the surrounding villages and they are paid. They are selected very, very carefully. They are not only the caregivers, but also important links to the traditional Moroccan community. All foster mothers are trained and receive instructions in health care and hygiene. The foster moms have a very close bond with the children that they care for. Currently there are around 70 foster moms that work at the village.
Can I visit the village?
Yes, we absolutely love to have visitors at the village. The children are incredibly warm and loving, as are the foster moms. They are happy to greet you and show you their homes, their rooms, their school, art projects, etc. Visiting is the best way to truly get a feel for the incredible work being done on the ground in Morocco to support these children. If you are interested in visiting you can spend a half day or a full day and join us for a traditional Moroccan lunch- it will be one of your favorite and most memorable meals in Morocco! Please send us a brief email two weeks before your arrival to schedule a visit and we will set everything up for you. We can even provide transportation to and from the village.