Philippine Embassy Supports Educational Initiatives for Moroccan Students in the High Atlas Region

(From L to R: Philippine Ambassador Leslie J. Baja, EFA Treasurer Ms. Juanita Folmsbee and British Ambassador Simon Martin)

RABAT 08 July 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Morocco handed over a donation of eighteen thousand Moroccan dirhams (approximately USD 1,800.00) to Education For All (EFA), a Moroccan NGO, in a turnover ceremony held at the Chancery on 4 July 2024.  Since 2007, EFA provides financial support and housing for girls from the rural areas of the High Atlas mountain region to enable them to continue their secondary education. 

In his remarks, H.E. Mr. Leslie J. Baja, Philippine Ambassador to Morocco, said that the donation is a gesture of the Philippines’ solidarity with the victims of the September 8, 2023  earthquake in Morocco, as well as support for the beneficiaries of the EFA association. Prior to the earthquake, EFA had six buildings in the High Atlas Mountains which served as dormitories for Moroccan girls attending secondary schools. The earthquake destroyed five of these buildings. 

He also noted that the donation was part of the proceeds from the sale of eighteen artworks which were featured in the Viaje 3 Filipinism What Makes Art Filipino exhibition held in May 2024 at the Abla Ababou Gallery in Rabat, Morocco.

Representing EFA was the association’s Treasurer Ms. Juanita Folmsbee who expressed her gratitude for the kindness and generosity of the Embassy and the Filipino community in Morocco. She conveyed that the amount donated by the Philippines will be used towards the construction of three (3) additional houses being built by EFA. She also shared that EFA recently witnessed the completion of baccalaureate degrees of more than 20 students.

Also present during the turnover ceremony was EFA’s Patron, H.E. Mr. Simon Martin, British Ambassador to Morocco. Ambassador Martin commended the efforts of the EFA in delivering tangible results by assisting students in their pursuit of secondary education. He also conveyed his appreciation to the Philippine Embassy for supporting the cause of the EFA and enriching the lives of its beneficiaries. 

The ceremony was witnessed by Embassy personnel, and staunch supporters of the EFA’s advocacy Ms. Lene Baekgaard, wife of the Danish Ambassador and Ms. Maeve O’Driscoll, wife of the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Morocco. END

Ambassador Baja delivering his remarks. 

Ambassador Baja with Juanita Folmsbee, Ms. Maeve O’Driscoll and Ms. Lene Baekgaard

For more information, visit https://rabatpe.dfa.gov.ph/,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinMorocco/, https://twitter.com/PHLinMorocco  or https://www.instagram.com/phinmorocco/ .