Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 In April I am going to trek across the Atlas Mountains for six days to the highest peak of North Africa, Mt Toubkal, to raise money for the Moroccan Children's Trust (MCT).  I generally prefer exercise that involves a lot of sitting, but I am willing to expose my true level of fitness and pathological fear of heights for this important cause. All the money raised will go to support the work of the Street Children Project in Taroudannt, Southern Morocco, so please be assured, this is not a free holiday.

There are hundreds of children on the streets of Taroudannt suffering daily harassment, humiliation, physical abuse and exploitation as they try to earn a living off the streets. If you have any children or a young sibling, niece or nephew, the thought of them spending their days on their own, under these circumstances is devastating and unimaginable.

The MCT employs local Moroccan staff as social workers who provide vital practical support and intervention as well as the sensitive care and attention that sees each child as an individual. It is this approach and the proven integrity of the MCT that has made me truly excited about raising funds for this wonderful charity.

After only a year, the MCT's Street Children Project has set pre-school classes so younger children can catch up with their peers, sports centre to keep the children busy and off the streets and a women's group where are the mothers are given advice, supported and helped into employment. 

Many children do not have a legal identity and therefore do not exist in the eyes of the State and cannot go to school or see a doctor. Within a year, 25 children have been provided with ID papers. No mean feat considering the highly complex and painstaking bureaucracy. This figure will undoubtedly increase.

This groundbreaking work, particularly in the area of legal identity, will not only help the children of Taroudannt, but will also provide a workable template that will be shared with other organisations all over the world  facing the same problems.

Your donations, however small, will help the Street Children Project become a durable institution in the town and continue its work rebuilding the lives of these children and their families.

If you are a UK taxpayer, please check the ‘I am a UK taxpayer’ box under the Add Gift Aid section to give the tax deductions made on your donation.

 www.moroccanchildrenstrust.org