July 20, 2003 - High Atlas Foundation: The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose aim is to establish community-based projects in Morocco that local people design in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF was created by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in Morocco.

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Morocco: Peace Corps Morocco : The Peace Corps in Morocco: July 20, 2003 - High Atlas Foundation: The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose aim is to establish community-based projects in Morocco that local people design in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF was created by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in Morocco.

By Admin1 (admin) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 10:53 am: Edit Post

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose aim is to establish community-based projects in Morocco that local people design in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF was created by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in Morocco.



The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose aim is to establish community-based projects in Morocco that local people design in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF was created by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in Morocco.

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit 501c(3) organization whose aim is to establish community-based projects in Morocco that local people design in partnership with government and non-government agencies. HAF was created by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff who served in Morocco. Its founders utilize their professional relationships, friendships and knowledge gained during their years of Peace Corps service for the continued benefit of the Moroccan people.

We ask for and would sincerely appreciate your involvement in realizing the creative ideas for development put forward by local Moroccan communities. Become a member of HAF and volunteer your time to help Moroccans achieve genuine prosperity. Provide a donation to HAF and help communities implement projects that generate new income, food and services. It is our hope that through HAF, we can continue to serve by assisting Moroccan communities in realizing their goals and potential.


Mission Statement

The High Atlas Foundation (HAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the principles of participatory development with a particular emphasis on improving the economic and environmental health of rural communities in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, North Africa.

Our mission is to:

1. Assist rural communities with the creation of sustainable local economic development capabilities that are economically competitive.

2. Promote the sustainable and wise use of natural resources.

3. Foster the development of local leadership and social capital.

The High Atlas Foundation’s specific strategy to achieve this mission is to:

1. Provide training and consultation that supports business retention and expansion.

2. Assist with the development of value added agricultural products.

3. Support community based water resource management and watershed protection projects.

4. Collaborate with the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Waters and Forests on reforestation efforts.

5. Conduct strategic visioning sessions and offer training that fosters community capacity building

The High Atlas Foundation is a non-religious and non-partisan organization.


Advisory Board

The Honorable Aziz Mekouar, Moroccan Ambassador to the U.S.

Ellen Paquette, former Peace Corps Regional Director of Europe, Mediterranean and Asia and former Country Director of Morocco.

Board of Directors

Jason Ben-Meir, President, New Mexico :

Jason served in Morocco as an Associate Peace Corps Director (1998-1999) managing the Agriculture and Environment Program, and as a Volunteer (1993-1995) helping to establish projects that generate income in communities that border the Toubkal National Park. He is currently completing his doctorate in sociology and teaching at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in International Development from Clark University (1997) and a Bachelors of Arts in Economics from New York University (1991). Jason also serves on the Board of Directors of the Diversity Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to racial and ethnic reconciliation in the U.S.

Liz Fanning, Chief Fundraising Specialist, Oregon :

Liz is currently working as the Executive Director of Schoolhouse Supplies, a nonprofit organization that supports public school teachers and students in Portland. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Toubkal (1993-1995) and worked as a professional fundraiser for more than ten years. She was the Director of Development for the American Civil Liberties Union in Washington, DC. Liz has a Bachelors of Arts degree in Economics from Boston University (1987) and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University (1997).

Mouhssine Tadlaoui Cherki, U.S.-Morocco Liaison, Rabat, Morocco :

Mouhssine is the Director of Peace Corps’ Environment Program and served as its Program Assistant for several years. He received his degree in physics from the University of Mohamed V in Rabat.

Thom Anderson, Director of Operations, Illinois :

Thom is currently the Field Coordinator of the Peace Corps and Community Fellows Program at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs. He is a former Volunteer having served four years (1991-1995) doing grassroots community development work in the Eastern High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and was the Center Director for the United Seamen's Service in Casablanca (1997-1999)--a non profit organization concerned with the health, welfare and recreation of seafarers.

John Farino, Secretary-Treasurer, New Jersey :

John is a computer programmer specializing in data driven web applications, and internet E-commerce. He has been a certified public accountant since 1971 consulting in the areas of small business development, non-profit organizations and grant accounting & auditing. John has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Seton Hall University. He is a former Peace Corps Agriculture Volunteer who served in Casablanca (1997-1999).

Dr. Wahiba Benloughmari Estergard, Health Specialist, Arizona :

Wahiba was born and raised in Taza, Morocco. She moved to Iowa in 1993 and recently graduated as a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Iowa. She is currently a Visiting Scientist at a major pharmaceutical company. Wahiba specializes in establishing projects that promote the health and educational opportunities of women and children in Morocco.

Scott Estergard, Environmental Impact Assessment, Arizona :

Scott is currently a water resource planner working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he manages and formulates plans for large multipurpose water resource studies in the arid Southwestern United States. He is a trained biologist with nearly 10 years experience in environmental impact assessment and water resource planning for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Scott served as a Natural Resource Manager from 1991-1993 at Toubkal National Park and Al Hoceima.

Megan T. Myers, Grant Management, Washington, DC :

Megan is a Pickering Graduate Fellow working towards a Masters of International Affairs, with a focus on International Environmental Policy, at Columbia University. Upon graduating in the summer of 2003, she will enter the U.S. Foreign Service. Her primary areas of focus are gender, sustainable development and grant management. Megan is currently working at the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, where she worked with women’s agricultural cooperatives, girls education and environmental education projects.

Jim Heaton, Project Development, Illinois :

Jim has recently worked as a program manager for an international foundation, based in San Diego, that provides health care for infants. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the High Atlas Mountains, where he assisted local communities in their needs assessments and in the establishment of education and income-generating projects. He is currently completing his graduate degree at Western Illinois University in economics and community development.

Eric Davis, Project Development, California :

Eric is a trained anthropologist and works for a U.S. based NGO that provides micro-credit for Central American countries. As a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Toubkal, he catalyzed tree planting projects and helped forge public-private coalitions for the establishment of an irrigation canal that benefited 200 families and promoted the preservation of the neighboring park area.

Ryan Russell, Project Development, Massachusetts :

Ryan is currently pursuing his Masters of Arts degree in International Development at Clark University, concentrating on local participation, conflict resolution, resource management and Geographic Information Systems. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Toubkal, he facilitated several village-level development actions, including potable water and arboricultural projects, and the forming of a local association.

Nawal El Harim, Project Development, Texas :

Nawal was born and raised in Morocco, where both of her parents were involved with the Peace Corps. She is a college student at South West Texas University, majoring in business, and a member of the International Students Association. She is also working to diversify her university by helping to start an Arab association. Nawal is committed to providing all the support she can to help Morocco grow and flourish.

Trevor Riggen, Project Development, Illinois :

Trevor is currently the Assistant Executive Director of a non profit agency in Illinois that promotes educational programs. He specializes in grant writing and fundraising. In the fall of 2002, Trevor will begin work on his Masters of Public Policy and Non profit Management at Georgetown University. He was a Peace Corps Agriculture Volunteer in Morocco.

Steven Carlson, General Counsel, Virginia :

Steve is a lawyer who received his degree from Yale University. He served as a Health and Sanitation Volunteer for Peace Corps / Morocco and is currently a law clerk for Judge Paul R. Michel at the U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit.


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Story Source: High Atlas Foundation

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Morocco; Service; RPCV COS Groups

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