Morocco Press Release

Post date: Dec 7, 2013 12:18:52 AM

SEACOAST RESIDENTS CELEBRATE MOROCCO EXCHANGE

Ten adventuresome souls returned in early November from a 15-day sojourn in the North African country of Fez, Marrakesh, Casablanca & Rick’s Café. Friendship Force of the New Hampshire Seacoast (FFNH) initiated the adventure; members were joined by 17 other Friendship Force club members from Canada, Australia and several other States. Founded in 1984, FFNH is one of 350 clubs in 58 countries. The heart of Friendship Force is bringing people together in friendship across the barriers that separate. As “citizen ambassadors,” each member has the power to promote good relations at a personal level.

Typical Friendship Force exchanges are two weeks long and feature homestays with the members of host clubs. In 2013 the New Hampshire Seacoast club hosted groups from Turkey and Japan. Members are scheduled to travel to Brazil in 2014 and to host a large group from Australia.

FFNH meets at 6:00 p.m. on the 6th of each month. At the November meeting the returning ambassadors exhibited a wide selection of cultural items brought home, shared their stories and enjoyed a Moroccan meal catered by the Moroccan owners of Café Med in Portsmouth. Highlights of the trip were an overnight stay under the stars on the Sahara (reached by camel ride), the beautiful mosque in Casablanca, two homestays with Moroccan families, the fabulous medina in Fez, a meeting with the president of the upper house of parliament in the capitol city of Rabat, baking bread and cooking tagine meals in a remote Berber village. The introduction to this diverse, Moslem country in full transition to a constitutional democracy, a model for the Arab world, was an eye-opening, exciting learning experience. The adventure closed with a delightful meal in Casablanca’s Rick’s Café.

FFNH welcomes inquiries and invites individuals with international curiosity to attend a meeting. There are opportunities to plan activities and/or host visiting ambassadors as well as joining in international travel.