Hi! My name's Lailah, I'm 16 years old and world-schooled... and I'm writing this blog post as part of "Team Media", one of Madrasa Dunya's hands-on learning teams.
Basically, in this team we help making leaflets, Instagram posts and stories.... and this blog! I quite like it, because I like posting on Instagram, and I'm really quite fond of writing.
Madrasa Dunya's situated about an hour from Marrakesh. My family arrived about two or three weeks ago- we flew in from Ireland! It was a long enough trip, but I think it was worth it!
We go to Marrakesh pretty much every week- there's weekly shopping trips that parents seem to love (but so do I, 'cause I love shopping!). The appeal of Carrefour is second to none, it seems.
There's a little shop near Madrasa Dunya, too. We love it, because it's so close and safe to go to, and the guy there sells the best yoghurt drinks ever, Jamila yoghurts. 😍 The shopkeeper is really nice and understanding (us and our poor Darija), and the prices are great.
It's really beautiful out here in the mountains. I'm writing this from the terrace, and I can see green and brown mountains and countless trees just from here! The hub is surrounded by Amazigh farmer fields, and we can occasionally see women working in the knee-length grasses, or even cows strolling by!
We get to see the country even more on Wednesdays.
There's a field trip every Wednesday, and so far we've been camel-riding- on that trip, we got to see an Amazigh art museum with thousands of pieces, and the traditional pottery maker! We even got to try our hands at making pots! On the second field trip, we also went to a very nice pool and gardens, and this Wednesday we went on an adventure to the Ourika Valley waterfalls. They were so breathtaking!
On Thursdays, we also go to the Souq (the market). The short walk over is really pretty- you basically follow the flowing stream over to the Souq. I think the sound of bubbling water is quite soothing (as is retail therapy. The Souq is one of my favourite activities, I think).
The Souq is full of strong scents of lunches being cooked and the sounds of sizzling meats and shoppers conversing.
It's genuinely such a vibe! I also got half a kilo of henna for 35 mad... incredible value.
I also enjoy the freedom in this hub. Jenna has a "zone" set-up, so basically parents tell her where they are comfortable with their kids going to supervised/unsupervised (depending).
There are multiple "zones", so parents can pick and choose which ones they are comfortable with their children going to.
I think it's a fab idea, and super-safe, because the kids inform a facilitator before leaving the gardens (if they are allowed by their parents) during hub times. (I'm allowed in all zones, because my dear mother trusted me just that much).
Back to freedom- I can study in the gardens in the morning, evening and during break times. (I'm a bit of a nerd, so this is a good thing.)
I even go on videocalls with my friend in the garden during evening! I love feeling safe enough to hang out at night outside. Us teens can also hang out in the cafés nearby and go out on walks together. The whole environment feels really safe and fun.
I think I'm gonna wrap this post up now- but I'm sure I'll be writing even more, soon! Lailah
תגובות