Volunteer with us

It's difficult to describe my experience at the language center in Assa. I've met so many wonderful people and lived through so many amazing experiences that describing them all would be impossible, so I'll stick to the practical things for those who would like to come.

I will just say that if you want to discover another side of Morocco, far away from the tourist areas, experience life in the desert, and do all of that surrounded by good people who will help you and make you feel at home, then go to Assa!

The accommodation is good—nothing luxurious, but practical and well organized. You will never be short of food, and you can buy anything else you need in the center. Assa is a small town, but it is full of shops, restaurants, and everything necessary for daily life. In summer, it can get quite hot, so be prepared for that, but you'll find ways to adapt.

Speaking of the work, I loved it. I was mainly teaching teenagers, most of whom were interested and motivated. They can be talkative, but it becomes your challenge to find activities that capture their attention, and that was fun for me! It is also possible to teach young children and adults, depending on which classes need volunteers. Usually, you won't work alone. It can happen if there are not enough teachers for the language you're teaching, but in any case, the other volunteers and Lahcen will always be there to help if you need support.

So go and lend a hand there—you won't regret it.

Thank you, everyone.

Bislama

Thanks to Lahcen, the other volunteers, and the people of Assa, Morocco for giving me a wonderful, unique, and unforgettable experience. Since that experience cannot be completely fit into words, I will only try to describe a few highlights regarding (1) the location, (2) the school, and (3) the accommodation.

When I first arrived in Assa, I did not know what to think. As an American who had hardly ever been outside of my own country, southern Morocco felt like a slap in the face at first. But it was a slap I needed. Everything from teaching at the school, to hiking in the mountains and exploring what is termed the Old City, to making unexpected friends at cafes, opened my mind to a world that I had known nothing about. Despite being of a vastly different religious and ethnic background, I felt welcomed in Assa, and cared for. Many of the people have hearts of gold, and I made more friends than I ever had before. I cannot recommend the location of this Workaway highly enough.

In talking about the city it is important to remember our school and the important work that this Workaway entails. The school is clean, well-managed, possessive of a friendly atmosphere, and equipped with advanced tools such as digital whiteboards. Personally, I enjoyed teaching immensely, and felt that I was making a difference in the lives of my students - English is rare and highly valued in southern Morocco. The school also allowed me to meet many locals and make new friends, as we would often go to cafes after teaching. On the whole, Lahcen has a wonderful project here, one that is a benefit to everyone involved.

The volunteers live in a house not far from the school. I liked the accommodation I was offered, and I do not mind sharing a room, but just keep in mind that one almost certainly will share a room in this Workaway. The food in the house was mostly the volunteers' responsibility, but everyone worked together and there were many great chefs among us (shout-out to Frederico!). While I feel that the pictures of the accommodation should be added to the Workaway profile, on the whole I was satisfied with the accommodation.

Above the location, school and accomodation, the best part of this Workaway are the wonderful people that one meets in Assa. I left with tears in my eyes, and I still feel heartbroken even as I write this. But, well, I know I shall be back one day. On the whole, I highly recommend this Workaway to anyone adventurous enough to open their mind to a new world, and anyone who wants to change the lives of students and anyone who wants to find a home way out there in the desert.

I spent a month in Assa at the language center hosted by Lahcen. It went by so quick. I arrived at the very end of Ramadan, which I was very happy to have witnessed.

Lahcen is such a wonderful person. He stays cool as a cucumber in any and all circumstances, while making sure all of the volunteers have their needs met. He goes above and beyond, and has a very generous soul. He makes your stay feel natural and homey, even if you are thousands of kilometres far from home, in the middle of the Sahara. On top of all this he is the brains behind the whole project of the language school (800 students), which he manages very well. He is making such a positive impact to his community, and making it a better place every day.

I had zero teaching experience before. I was teaching French. On the first days I naturally felt the nerves, but very quickly I managed to ease into the teaching role (especially because I was teaching with another volunteer, Masy) but also because the students all have a lot of contagious energy that makes you enjoy it a lot.

The atmosphere between volunteers is really a big part of the experience here. We lived together in a communal house with a cool rooftop that we sometimes slept on when it was too hot inside. We often did things together (hiking, walks in the old part of the town, hammam, coffee, gym, dinner after classes, etc) but you always have the option to do your own thing whenever you feel like it.

Lastly, the locals are so kind. They not only accept you but welcome you so warmly as if you are part of their family. I got invited several times to eat dinner, have tea or do outdoor activities with people I randomly met on the street. It is a seemingly simple life in Assa, but you can have such a fun and exciting time when you make a little effort to open your heart to the different possibilities that come your way.

My time in Assa will always have a special place in my memories and heart.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you are hesitating to go, or simply if you want more info :)

I've just spent three weeks in Assa and took part in the opening of the language center as a teaching assistant in a French class.It's been a truly enriching and inspiring experience.

Assa is medium-sized city close to the desert surrounded by a chain of rocky mountains.

I hardly saw any Westerners outside our group: this is an authentic Moroccan experience. Locals were welcoming and very benevolent towards us.
The house -quite a thing in itself- is conveniently located very close to the school with great views over the surrounding landscape (mosque and mountains). The school has just been renovated and boasts state-of-the-art facilities (modern electronic boards with access to Internet).

I was lucky to meet and connect with really nice and genuine people (other volunteers) from all over the world. I felt truly integrated within the group in a way I had not felt for a long time in a group of people.

The teachers too were very warm and open and a pleasure to work with. Special thanks to Ouma and her family who invited us for Iftar and Fatma with whom I had great pleasure in working so smoothly.

A big shout out to Lahcen, the actual host, who worked really hard to make the experience worthwhile for us volunteers (while of course being involved in launching the whole project).
It really paid off: the opening of the school was a real success and I am glad to have been part of it and brought my modest contribution to it.

Thanks for the regular outings in the desert camp located outside Assa in a breathtaking lunar reddish landscape . Those times under the tent were really special (facilitated by great hosts Abdou and Selim).

There are also really nice walks to do just outside the city where the old city can be found located on a steep hill with breathtaking views over the whole city, its many mosques and the oued at the bottom (the Draa) and its lush green gardens and palm trees. I took many photos.

Last but not least, let's not forget the kids who were our primary reason for being there. Mine ranged from eight to fourteen years old and they were all so endearing, each in their own way. A lot of them were very engaged and enthusiastic, some a bit more withdrawn and less confident but being in contact with all of them was such a fulfilling experience!

I was only able to take part for three weeks , -I have an office job-, and this is by far the best holiday experience I have had in a very long time (and my best workaway experience overall).

I would gladly have stayed on longer if possible and I look forward to being back there as soon as possible.
I warmly and heartily recommend Lahcen and his project to anybody thinking about joining it.

Had such a special experience in Smara volunteering at Lahcen's language school as an English teacher.

I found so many enthusiastic and eager pupils that were so fun to teach and work with. I was able to test out my lesson plans and ideas and developed so much as a teacher during my time at the school.

Furthermore, I found a community to really connect and join with. I would spend so much of my free time playing with the kids in the neighbourhood, either football or drawing or races or hide and seek, you name it. While the neighbours would invite me over for giant shared lunches.

Lahcen is a very kind and driven leader who made sure I was well looked after and we shared many great conversations, meals and laughs.

I was in Smara but Lahcen is opening a new school in Assa. I was also there briefly to help interview new teachers. I think the new school will be an amazing place to volunteer, while Assa seemed a beautiful place surrounded by mountains.

As advice for those going, be as prepared as you can with a range of different lesson plans as you will be working with pupils from kids to adults and from beginners to intermediate, and they will need different styles of lessons and materials.

I made a video for the Smara school that I will try to share on here too so you can get a sense of the experience I had.

I was sad to leave my new friends in Smara and I hope to see everyone again someday.

We had a truly wonderful experience with Lahcen and the entire community of Smara. From the very first day, we were welcomed with incredible warmth and generosity. We were lucky to share the experience with fellow Workawayer Mat, which made the whole adventure even more special and collaborative.

Lahcen is a kind, driven, and dedicated host who genuinely cares about his volunteers and the people around him. We gave German classes in the evenings, and the students were enthusiastic, motivated, and an absolute joy to work with — every session felt rewarding and meaningful.

Outside of teaching, we explored the city on foot and ventured into the desert, soaking in the landscape and the culture. We were even being invited to a birthday celebration and even a wedding. Those are memories we will carry with us forever.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to Lahcen, Mat, Abdelaziz, and everyone in Smara. - Nils & Kieran

This was, without question, one of the most meaningful volunteering experiences of my life. From the very first day, I was met with an extraordinary sense of welcome. The staff, the students and Lahcen's family all made me feel immediately at home; not in a superficial or polite way, but in the truest sense of belonging to a shared mission.

Lahcen is open, kind, generous and deeply present. He was always available for support, while also trusting volunteers with real responsibility.
At the centre, I taught German and helped with Spanish and English classes. The students themselves were remarkable: motivated, curious and engaged. Teaching them never felt like an obligation, but an honor.

Life in the house reflected the same care and respect. It was clean, functional and well organised. Meals were consistently delicious, but even more memorable was the warmth and humanity of Lahcen's family. Their generosity went far beyond hospitality; it was a quiet, everyday kindness that will forever stay with me.
Another highlight was the atmosphere among volunteers. It is rare to find an environment where connection happens so easily and sincerely.

One gesture that deeply moved me was Lahcen taking the time, even after long and tiring work days, to teach us Arabic in the evenings. This was offered not as a formality, but as a genuine desire to share knowledge. It is an opportunity I will forever be grateful for.

Lastly, and most importantly, you are never made to feel like an outsider here. You are involved in daily life, decisions and activities in a way that allows for real learning and exchange. This experience offers a valuable window into the history, practices and worldviews of Sahrawi communities, but also into the unique life stories and psychologies of each person you'll meet.

I will return as soon as I can, with more to contribute, and certainly even more to learn. Shukran, Vy

I arrived in Morocco a day before travelling to Lahcen's workaway in Smara, therefore my first experience of the moroccon or Saharawian culture was with Lahcen, his Language centre, his family, friends and the city of Smara. And it was nothing short of incredible, incredible hospitality, warmth, love, and generosity. We stayed at Lahcen's parents home, which is very comfortable and clean. His mum and sister generously made delicious Saharawian and Moroccon delicacies for us. We were 8 volunteers and all of us were made to feel exceptionally welcomed and well taken care of. The language centre is very well setup, with students of all ages, who are so eager to learn and again will treat you with utmost adoration. It was an absolute pleasure teaching the students who are so smart and ambitious and I loved getting know them. The teachers at the centre are really talented and so skilled. Lahcen has an exceptional gift of bringing people together and while the teaching is taken seriously, there is a lot of fun to be had. Lahcen and his friends were always very eager to show us around the town and take us to the desert, feed us delicioius food and take care of us as family. An exceptional experience that I would highly recommend. I cannot wait to be back! A special Thanks to all the volunteers as well.

Having the chance to travel to Smara and stay with Lahcen and his family, was an experience unlike anywhere else. The town is full of kind-hearted loving people with warm hearts and lively spirits. Lahcen is someone who is incredibly generous of his time, and spent much effort making sure everyone was more than taken care of. Every day his family went out of their way to prepare delicious meals, tea, and share their time with us volunteers. Their spirit is welcoming and calm and everything they do is with love. Teaching in the schools was a great time and the students were really excited to learn and were engaged in the lesson. I had originally planned to stay two weeks, but ended up staying over a month there, because it started to feel like home. Being able to meet many friends and participate in many events (public speaking competition in honor of the Green Day March, visiting the desert to dance and learn about the Sahrawi culture, roadtrips to the beach, and to many other beautiful places), making lifelong friends in the process. I would highly recommend traveling to Smara to truly understand the people and the place because it is unlike anywhere else. My deepest gratitude is to Lahcen and all the people of Smara for their kindness and genuine love they shared. I hope to return and see their beautiful faces because no amount of time spent together will ever be enough.

Thank you my brother and friend Lahcen for everything you are doing and for your genuine care for others. I hope to see you again soon my friend.