Published 25th Nov. 2025
Written by Isabel de Galleani
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We believe travel should positively impact the destinations we visit, which is why our Foundation supports projects like Education For All (EFA) in Morocco. EFA is dedicated to tackling high illiteracy rates among women and girls in Morocco’s rural regions. The non-profit organisation funds boarding houses that enable teenage girls from remote villages in the Atlas Mountains to continue their secondary education. Our co-founder, Tom Barber and our Morocco specialist, Issy, have both visited the EFA boarding house in Asni. Read on to learn more about Issy’s experience and the incredible work of EFA...
What is EFA and why does it mean so much to you?
Since 2007, EFA has been providing teenage girls in rural communities in Morocco with access to secondary schools. Thanks to the charity, 651 girls have been able to continue their studies and 180 have gone on to university. Without EFA’s help, these girls wouldn’t have an education.
The organisation focuses on the poorest and most remote villages in the High Atlas region, where the nearest secondary school is 19 miles away. Many girls stop their education after primary school, leading to illiteracy rates as high as 70% for women. This cycle of poverty often leads to early marriages, preventing women from fulfilling their potential and contributing fully to society.
I have three daughters, so this feels even closer to home. I know how fortunate my daughters are to have access to education and a bright future ahead of them.
Why did you put forward EFA to our Foundation?
I was in Marrakech when the earthquake struck in September 2023. In the immediate aftermath, we met with Mike McHugo, the founder of Education for All. He cycled all the way from the devastated village of Imlil in the High Atlas to Marrakech to inform us about how the earthquake had affected the girls from EFA. His passion and dedication were incredibly inspiring, and the story of the charity stayed with me. From that point on, I’ve wanted to offer my support in any way I could, which motivated me to put forward EFA for funding.
How long has our Foundation been supporting EFA?
This is our second year of funding a boarding house for girls from Education for All.
Image by Tom Barber
How has the Foundation’s funding impacted the girls' education?
By supporting EFA, we can make a significant and direct impact on the lives of these girls. If we can commit to this project and provide the vital annual rental costs for the boarding house, we can help 40 to 50 girls continue their education. By ensuring their safety and emotional well-being, we can provide them with stability and a brighter future!
When did you visit the boarding house and how was your experience?
I visited the boarding house in September 2024, just before the girls arrived and had the chance to meet the amazing team of house mothers and EFA staff. Then, in October, Tom visited with his family and had the opportunity to meet the girls.
What is the most memorable moment from your visit?
Seeing the tangible impact of our funding and knowing that we’re giving these girls opportunities they never would have dreamed of. And the team! They’re so inspirational and so kind. It’s clear how much care they’ve put into creating a safe, supportive environment at the vibrant boarding house, where the girl can learn and develop.
Image by Tom Barber
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