The Eve Branson Foundation

The Eve Branson Foundation is a small non-profit in Morocco which was spearheaded by Richard’s mum, Eve.

The Eve Branson Foundation was set up to cultivate opportunities that would have a positive impact on local livelihoods surrounding Kasbah Tamadot. Working closely alongside Virgin Limited Edition and Virgin Unite (the Virgin Group's non-profit foundation), The Eve Branson Foundation aims to work hand in hand with the local Amazigh (Berber) people to build a secure, healthy and resilient community.

Today, Kasbah Tamadot and EBF work with the villages surrounding the property to develop initiatives in four key areas: artisanal training; environment, healthcare and education.

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I’m thrilled to see how far the young people attending our centres have advanced and incredibly proud of their hard work. With your support, we can continue to offer young people in rural Morocco a creative and more independent future.
Eve Branson

Environment

Community Litter-Pick

Every Summer, around 100 volunteers, of all ages, join in to help pick up litter left around the village, river bed and roadside to keep Asni sparkling.

An ongoing rubbish-collection project was initiated by Kasbah Tamadot and EBF in 2015 as part of a long-term goal to improve the environmental impact of household rubbish and commercial waste in the Asni valley. Now rubbish is collected 3-4 times a week from 9 rubbish collection points, built by Kasbah Tamadot with the support of Virgin Unite and the Eve Branson Foundation. More than 600 households benefit from this programme.

EBF President Houssain Bousouka says of the campaign: “It has been encouraging to see how the scheme has drawn together different community members. Everyone has their part to play and by working as one community, we will educate the next generation about the importance of keeping our valley clean, safe and tidy.”

Training

EBF’s Craft Programmes

Artisanal training programmes provide local people with the skills to produce marketable Moroccan handicrafts such as woven throws, hand-carved décor, embroidered table linen and traditional rugs which can be purchased in The Eve Branson Foundation Shop, located just next to Kasbah Tamadot. At least 40% of the purchase price goes directly to the artisans, and the remaining amount goes directly back to fund further projects.

35 women and 4 young men are currently enrolled in EBF’s craft programmes. The Eve Branson Foundation and Kasbah Tamadot are proud to showcase their products, celebrating traditional craft skills and preserving the unique Berber heritage.

During your stay at Kasbah Tamadot, we can arrange a visit for you to see firsthand some of the traditional techniques being used on the programmes.

Education

A Study Centre for Asni

We are putting education first in the high Atlas Mountains and EBF is fundraising to operate a new study centre in Asni so that more young people will have access to a quiet place to study and learn.

Asni High School welcomes over 1,000 boys and girls but it can only accommodate 500 students at any one time.

Those who have a long journey to and from school have nowhere to study in-between lessons. Few have a quiet space in their own homes and will often revise on the street outside.

The Eve Branson Foundation, in partnership with Kasbah Tamadot, is opening a study centre close to the main school which will welcome over 400 pupils each week.

Please consider donating to help keep students in education who would otherwise be at risk of dropping out. Together we can improve future life chances for young people.

Healthcare

The Dental Mavericks

EBF partners with The Dental Mavericks, a group of volunteer dentists and dental nurses, to improve oral hygiene among school-aged children.

We run an annual walk-in dental clinic for the community. More than 3,000 children have received pain-free treatment and a toothbrushing kit through the initiative.

Our Centres

Tangshart Woodwork Centre

The centre was set up to provide vocational training for young men who have dropped out of school. Following an initial carpentry training course, they can use their skills to create and sell beautiful bespoke pieces of furniture, handcarved gifts and jewellery from local wood offcuts.

Tamgounssi Weaving Centre

Since opening in 2016, the centre provides specialised textiles training in fabric-weaving and finishing techniques, including embroidery. Young women train for up to 18 months in the ancient process of weaving, using natural fibres on an upright loom to create high quality soft woven fabrics, such as linen throws, rugs and scarves.

Fatima Imni started learning crafts at our original craft centre in Tansghart and Fatima now supervises the EBF Shop.

“I tell any girl who works in the Eve Branson Foundation to focus on work and try to set her own goal. She should learn crafts because it is a way to change her life for the better. If she educates herself and learns new skills, she will become more independent.” – Fatima Imni

Our Mission

To empower young women and support their path to an education.
To increase economic self-sufficiency and self-esteem of young people living in local Berber communities, by equipping them with vocational and artisanal skills.
To open new centres in the community, using sustainable models which provide education, training and healthcare.
To provide teachers and materials that will lead to the production of high quality, marketable items, giving an income to young people.

How you can support

The Eve Branson Foundation relies on the support of individuals and grants to further Eve's work within Moroccan Berber communities. By making a donation, your contribution will go directly to supporting these frontIine projects.

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GlobalGiving makes it secure and easy to donate. All donations are tax-deductible for donors who are US taxpayers and UK taxpayers paying in GBP are eligible for Gift Aid.
If you would like to sponsor a house manager at our new study centre, please consider making a regular, monthly donation. Thank you.

Visit our fundraising page on GlobalGiving - globalgiving.org/projects/keep-pupils-studying-in-the-high-atlas-mountains

We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you'll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families.

Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our projects in the local area near to Kasbah Tamadot.

Kasbah Tamadot arranges visits to the craft centres for resident guests where a selection of handmade gifts can be purchased. Sales from purchases go directly back to the artisans and centre operations. You can watch how products are made and you may even want to try weaving on one of the looms!

Hand-made items including Moroccan woven carpets, hand-carved wooden gifts and contemporary soft woven fabrics can be purchased from The Eve Branson Foundation Shop, next to the hotel, and posted from Morocco to anywhere in the world.

The shop is managed by The Eve Branson Foundation and 100% of the purchase price goes back to EBF and its artisans. All items have a fixed price. Every purchase funds future training, materials and supports the local community. EBF ensures the maker receives at least 40%.

Many of the items on sale in the EBF Shop are featured at Kasbah Tamadot such as walnut salad bowls, table linen and luxurious bath mats. If a guest wishes to make an enquiry about a specific product, they can speak to Reception.