CJM Morocco

Chantiers Jeunesse Maroc is one of the partner organisations of VAP in Morocco.

CJM is headquartered in Rabat, with an additional 38 branches throughout the entire country.

A brief historical view:

The voluntary service started in Morocco with a great historical project "the Road of Unity" 12,000 young volunteers had to build a road which linked the central zone which was under the French domination to the north
of the country which was dominated by the Spanish.
This project took place the year Morocco got independent that is in 1956. In 1961 a group of volunteers from "the Road of Unity" together with another group of youth which had some experience in voluntary service through their participation in international workcamps in Europe undertook the creation of a national structure dealing with voluntary service.

CJM was born and can be considered as a continuation of the spirit of the "Road of Unity". CJM since it was born participed in different important national projects such as
"DERRO" (Economical and Rural Development of the Western Rif Region)in Haouz (1968-69), a project in which young farmers where taught new agricultural techniques preparing for the change in the regime follarving the introduction of irrigation, the school canteen operation, building of schools, canteen in rural primary schools and different campaigns against illiteracy.
Today, with a rich experience behind it, CJM is preparing itself to enter new fields of concern such as the preservation of the environment, the preservation of the architectural heritage and social work in its various faces.

Activities:

The association managed to assert its existence in the national level where its presence has been confirmed by different activities undertaken by the local branches which covert great deal of the territory. Among its activities we can note: the organisation of international workcamps through the country; exchange of volunteers and of camps leaders; organisation of campleader training sessions, seminars; publications dealing with associative work.
CJM wishes to achieve through its activities social,
cultural and educational goals such as: the formation of citizens responsible towards themselves and society; the contribution for the social and economical development of the under-priveleged classes; the development of exchanges between youth of different horizons through
international workcamps; the development of the group spirit in individuals; the strenghtening of friendship, peace and solidarity values.
Since its creation CJM has enriched its experience benefiting from different experiences of others. Besides being a founding member of UMAC-Moroccan Union of Workcamps Associations in 1963 it has developed a network of international contacts with more than 90 organisations.

In 2024 VAP has:
member of:
Volunteer Action for Peace, member of the Co-ordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service Volunteer Action for Peace, member of the Volunteer International Network Exchange UK
with the support of:
Volunteer Action for Peace, member of the European «Youth in Action» Programme

Quote of the day

« The outside world did not interfere, because it seemed so distant, and so we spent our spare time getting to know each other and learning about each other countries', languages and cultures. Everyone was completely relaxed. This simply would not have been possible on any other type of holiday. VAP enabled me to have a truly memorable experience. »

Ivan W. from London

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