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Virgin Unite Newsletter 13 - October 2010
Virgin Unite Newsletter 13 - October 2010
FOUNDATION
NEWSLETTER
News and Developments from
the High Atlas Mountains
A bike ride to Imsker Staying at Kasbah Tamadot was a group of some of the
richest people in the world: astronauts who, bravely, have all
Oh to be back again in the Atlas Mountains: the sparrows signed up to go into space on the Virgin Galactic spaceship.
chirping, the goats and cockerels making their voices heard Little did they know what they had let themselves in for as
- all competing with each other whilst the donkey with his hotel General Manager Kenton Jones suggested an organised
raucous call lets it be known he’s boss around here! three hour bike ride which would take them through the most
For this visit to Morocco I’ve brought out Tim Souris, Sakiko beautiful remote mountain scenery.
Posta and Holly Peppe, the main US financial board members, Thirty hotel guests enthusiastically signed up with some
who, for the past 3 years, have run a fantastic fundraising ball pledging funds to the Eve Branson Foundation including my
called ‘Rock the Kasbah’ in Los Angeles. Each year this ball son Richard, daughter Vanessa and granddaughter Florence.
raises sufficient funds to enable us to continue our work in They then set forth, whilst the not so agile were driven a
the local villages for a further 12 months. precarious route through winding unpaved roads passing over
I awake, unlock the door and let in Amena, the teacher at the gushing river and up to Imsker where Kasbah Tamadot’s
the craft house in Tansghart across the valley from Kasbah team had organised Berber tents and carpets all laid out on
Tamadot, who makes me a special cup of mint tea. the plot we had bought previously, and where we hope one
day to build another craft house.
Behind my craft house are the chirping children competing
with the chirping sparrows, the cockerels, cows and donkeys One by one the worn out adventurers appeared, gasping, but
braying in the valley below. elated; they had achieved the challenge!
The sun is now rising, the silence only penetrated by a local By now all the children in the village decided to join in the
Berber lady shuffling past, shooing her five precious sheep fun, beating an old drum and laughing and singing as yet
down the rough path, clutching a bunch of grass to feed her another bicycle appeared around the corner.
cow now tethered securely in her back kitchen. Ludo Brockway, one of my grandsons, had been appointed
Today was to be a busy day as, on my last visit, I’d discovered official photographer, and as he was sat on top of the support
a village called Imsker in the High Atlas Mountains, a village vehicle he was in a position to witness one of the cyclists
unknown by outsiders with no water, no electricity and no crashing into a wall – hospitalisation was the only answer
paper lying around (there is no paper). (but no long-term damage fortunately).
It was my next challenge, but money was needed! Finally, the last intrepid cyclist came panting and puffing
home – tired but elated as they sat in the Berber tent out of
the midday sun.
The day ended at Tansghart craft house, not only for Vanessa’s
birthday cake but also for them all to witness the aim of the
Eve Branson Foundation. The philosophy of the foundation
is to teach the local girls lifelong skills, removing the need
to beg or ask for charity, for the Berbers are a proud, happy
people. Following on from the success of the craft house
in Tansghart, you will realise how the people in Imsker are
desperate for one of their own. We plan to send out teachers
and some of the girls from Tansghart to pass on what they’ve
SOME OF THE FINISHED already been taught.
PRODUCTS FROM
THE CRAFT HOUSE IN
TANSGHART
The philosophy of the foundation is to
teach the local girls lifelong skills,
removing the need to beg or ask for
charity, for the Berbers are a proud,
happy people.
Greedy Goats
Thank You!
have a place to park the car, set up a pottery class and buy GIFT!
several spinning wheels where the girls can not only work on
their crafts, but also teach others who wish to learn how to spin. Bella Hull Boy -Be ll
a!
nSo rin g
for Spo ing
Tha nk you ion which will
go towards finish
ous donat Atlas Mountains.
ul for your gener
Should anyone else wish to name a goat (as each new one is We are so gratef d in the High
r, a village locate learn a craft so
our next craft
house in Imske opportunity to
rate to have the near Kasbah Tamad
ot,
Imsker are despe Unite gift shop
The people of sell in the Virgin all.
gifts to future for
they can create ng a sustainable
more funds to complete the next craft house in Imsker. In this EVE BrAn
son
village which, at the moment has nothing and asks for nothing,
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ISSUE 9 MAY 2009 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2009 ISSUE 11 DECEMBER 2009 ISSUE 12 JUNE 2010
Virgin Unite
The School House, 50 Brook Green, Hammersmith, London W6 7BJ
t. +44 (0) 203 126 3962 • f. +44 (0) 203 126 3980 • e. sue.hale@virginunite.co.uk • www.virginunite.com
The Virgin Foundation (operating as “Virgin Unite”). Registered office: Hanover House, 14 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1HP. Company No. 02155645. UK Registered Charity Number 297540.