Volunteer FAQ — Assa and Smara

C.M.V. currently hosts volunteers in Assa and Smara.

Assa can currently support up to 6 teaching volunteers at a time. Assa can also support 1 food preparation volunteer and 1 house management volunteer at a time.

Smara can currently support up to 9 teaching volunteers at a time. Smara can also support 1 food preparation volunteer and 1 house management volunteer at a time.

Final capacity depends on housing availability, gender-room arrangements, couples, timing, and the current needs of the center.

Most volunteers support language education. Depending on experience, language ability, and current need, volunteers may help with:

• English, French, or Spanish conversation practice.
• Classroom assistance.
• Small group activities.
• Independent teaching when appropriate.
• Student support.
• Cultural exchange activities.
• General organizational support.

C.M.V. may also accept one food preparation volunteer and one house management volunteer per location at a time. These roles support the shared living environment and help keep the volunteer house organized, respectful, and functional.

Teaching experience is appreciated, but patience, kindness, consistency, cultural respect, and willingness to help are also important.

Housing, basic food staples, coffee, tea, Wi-Fi, and laundry are included. Meals are not prepared by C.M.V. Volunteers prepare their own food individually or coordinate shared meals with the volunteer community.

Volunteers should still budget for:

• International flights.
• Travel inside Morocco to and from Assa or Smara.
• Travel insurance.
• Passport or visa-related costs, if applicable.
• Mobile data or SIM card, if desired.
• Toiletries and personal items.
• Snacks or special foods.
• Occasional cafés or meals outside.
• Local taxis when needed.
• Optional weekend trips.
• Medicine, pharmacy needs, or medical costs not covered by insurance.
• Emergency reserve funds.

Practical monthly personal budget

For one month, excluding international flights and excluding emergency savings:

Because housing, food staples, Wi-Fi, and laundry are included, a careful volunteer can live with modest personal spending. Volunteers who want more independence, frequent taxis, extra food, weekend travel, or restaurant meals should budget more.

Arrival and departure transport budget

Internal travel costs depend heavily on the airport, bus operator, date, route, and whether the volunteer uses buses, shared taxis, private taxis, or domestic flights.

Suggested round-trip planning ranges inside Morocco:

These ranges are for planning only. Volunteers should check live fares before booking.

Suggested total first-month budget

Excluding international airfare:

Volunteers should also keep an emergency reserve of at least 1,500–3,000 MAD, separate from normal spending money. More is better if the volunteer has health concerns, medication needs, complicated travel routes, or limited access to international banking.

Housing is near the center, but not directly on site. The distance is walkable. Taxis are also available as needed.

Housing is shared. Volunteers should expect a simple communal living environment and should be comfortable sharing space, keeping the house clean, and respecting other volunteers.

Yes. Wi-Fi is included.

Volunteers who need regular data outside the house or school may still want to buy a Moroccan SIM card or mobile data plan.

Yes. Laundry is included.

Volunteers should still bring practical clothing that is easy to wash, modest, and suitable for warm weather, cooler evenings, and a traditional community environment.

Food is provided, but meals are not prepared by C.M.V.

Volunteers are provided with food for individual preparation. Volunteers may prepare meals for themselves as needed. Shared meals are also often coordinated by the volunteer community, which reflects an important part of Moroccan culture.

C.M.V. provides basic food staples such as:

• Coffee and tea.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Rice.
• Legumes.
• Pasta.
• Spices.
• Some meat products.

Volunteers are asked to use these shared resources conservatively and respectfully. Food is provided for the group, so each volunteer should be mindful of others and avoid waste.

C.M.V. does its best to accommodate dietary needs and allergies, but volunteers with serious dietary restrictions or medical food needs should discuss this before arrival and should be prepared to supplement their own food if needed.

C.M.V. does its best to accommodate dietary needs and allergies. However, food access in Assa and Smara may be more limited than in larger cities.

Volunteers with allergies, medical dietary needs, or strict diets should explain their needs clearly during the application process. They should also be prepared to buy some personal food items if the shared food supply cannot fully meet their needs.

Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable times to travel in Morocco, especially for southern and desert-adjacent regions. Summer can be very hot.

Recommended travel periods are usually:

• March to May.
• September to November.
• Winter months, if the volunteer is comfortable with cooler nights.

C.M.V. may have closures or reduced activity during July and August. Volunteers should confirm exact school dates before applying or booking travel.

The best airport depends on the placement location, ticket prices, and current flight availability.

For Assa

Likely airport options include:

• Guelmim, if flights are available and affordable.
• Agadir, often a practical larger airport for southern Morocco.
• Marrakech, followed by bus travel south.
• Casablanca, followed by a longer bus journey or domestic travel connection.

The simplest route is often to get to Guelmim first, then continue from Guelmim to Assa.

For Smara

Likely airport options include:

• Smara, if domestic flights are available and affordable.
• Laâyoune, often the most practical nearby regional airport.
• Agadir, followed by bus travel south.
• Marrakech or Casablanca, followed by longer bus or domestic travel connections.

The simplest route is often to get to Laâyoune first, then continue from Laâyoune to Smara.

No. C.M.V. does not meet volunteers at the airport.

Volunteers are responsible for traveling from the airport to their placement city. C.M.V. can provide general route guidance before arrival, but volunteers should be prepared to navigate buses, taxis, and transfers independently.

C.M.V. staff will meet volunteers at the local bus station in Assa or Smara after arrival details are confirmed. Volunteers should share their arrival time, bus company, and any delays as early as possible.

There are a number of bus carriers available throughout Morocco. Supratours is one of the main bus lines serving the Saharan region. CTM and other carriers may also be useful depending on the route.

Volunteers should check live schedules and fares before booking. Bus routes, times, and prices can change.

Common routes to Assa

Common routes may include:

• Fly to Guelmim, then travel from Guelmim to Assa by bus or taxi.
• Fly to Agadir, then take a bus to Guelmim, then continue to Assa.
• Fly to Marrakech, then take a bus south to Guelmim or toward Assa.
• Fly to Casablanca, then continue by bus or domestic connection toward Guelmim and Assa.

Planning fare ranges:

Add extra money for local taxis, luggage fees, food during travel, missed connections, or an overnight stay if needed.

Common routes to Smara

Common routes may include:

• Fly to Laâyoune, then continue to Smara by bus or taxi.
• Fly to Smara directly, if suitable domestic flights are available.
• Fly to Agadir, then take a longer bus route toward Smara.
• Fly to Marrakech or Casablanca, then continue by bus or domestic travel connection.

Planning fare ranges:

Add extra money for taxis, luggage fees, meals during travel, schedule changes, or an overnight stay if needed.

Yes. Taxis are available as needed.

Volunteers may use taxis for local transport, arrival support, errands, or situations where walking is not practical. Local taxi prices are usually modest for short rides, but costs vary by city, distance, time of day, and whether the taxi is shared or private.

For longer transfers, a private taxi can become much more expensive than a bus. Volunteers should confirm the price before starting the trip.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended, but proof of travel insurance is not required by C.M.V.

Volunteers are responsible for their own medical costs, travel disruption, lost belongings, and emergency support needs. For this reason, volunteers should seriously consider insurance that covers:

• Medical care in Morocco.
• Emergency treatment.
• Hospital visits.
• Emergency evacuation or repatriation if needed.
• Trip interruption or cancellation.
• Lost or stolen belongings.
• The full length of the volunteer stay.

Volunteers should keep their insurance details accessible and should also provide an emergency contact before arrival.

Yes. Volunteers are responsible for researching entry, passport, visa, and length-of-stay requirements for their own nationality and travel situation.

C.M.V. cannot sponsor visas.

Volunteers should make sure their passport is valid, their stay is legal, and they understand how long they are allowed to remain in Morocco.

C.M.V. provides local support and practical orientation for volunteers. Volunteers are expected to follow community guidelines, respect local customs, and communicate clearly with staff if any issue arises.

Before or shortly after arrival, volunteers should receive guidance on:

• Housing expectations.
• Food and shared-house responsibilities.
• Teaching or support schedule.
• Local cultural norms.
• Emergency contact process.
• Medical support process.
• Transportation basics.
• Who to contact if they feel unsafe, sick, lost, or unable to reach the house.

Volunteers are expected to behave respectfully in the local community. Assa and Smara are traditional environments. Modest dress and respectful public behavior are expected. Volunteers should avoid public alcohol or drug use, avoid staying out very late, and use caution when walking at night.

Women are advised not to walk alone late at night.

For volunteer safety, cultural respect, and the reputation of the center, C.M.V. strongly advises volunteers not to pursue romantic or sexual relationships with local residents during their placement. This guideline is not a judgment of local people. It is a practical boundary in a traditional community where misunderstandings, social pressure, gossip, unequal expectations, or family/community concerns can create serious problems for the volunteer, the local person, and the center.

Volunteers should also avoid going to unknown, private, remote, or isolated locations with local residents or with anyone they do not know well. This includes accepting invitations to unfamiliar homes, farms, desert areas, vehicles, late-night gatherings, or places outside normal public/community settings without first discussing the plan with C.M.V. staff. Volunteers should keep staff informed of where they are going, who they are going with, and when they expect to return.

A simple rule: if a situation feels unclear, private, pressured, secretive, romantic, isolated, or difficult to explain to staff, do not go. Contact C.M.V. staff first.

If a volunteer has a medical issue, C.M.V. staff should be informed as soon as possible.

In the event of a medical issue, a staff member will accompany the volunteer to the hospital and inform the volunteer’s emergency contact.

For serious emergencies, volunteers or staff should contact local emergency services immediately. Volunteers should also contact their travel insurance or medical assistance provider as soon as possible if they are referred to a medical facility.

Emergency numbers in Morocco include:

• Ambulance / Fire: 150
• Police: 190
• Gendarmerie: 177

Medical facilities are within about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive from volunteer housing.

In Assa, the main public medical facility is commonly listed as Hôpital Assa Zag or Centre hospitalier Assa.

In Smara, the main public medical facility is commonly listed as Centre Hospitalier Provincial Es-Smara or Hôpital Es-smara.

Some specialized care may require transfer to a larger city. Assa volunteers may need to be referred to Guelmim, Agadir, or another regional center depending on the medical issue. Smara volunteers may need to be referred to Laâyoune, Agadir, or another regional center depending on the medical issue.

Volunteers with ongoing medical needs should discuss them before arrival and should bring any necessary medication, prescriptions, and insurance documentation.

Yes. In the event of a medical issue, a staff member will accompany the volunteer to the hospital and inform the volunteer’s emergency contact.

Volunteers should make sure C.M.V. has a current emergency contact and should keep insurance details accessible.

Volunteers should be ready for simple shared living.

Daily life may include:

• Shared housing.
• Shared kitchen use.
• Cooking individually or with other volunteers.
• Conservative use of shared food.
• Shared cleaning responsibilities.
• Respect for quiet hours and house expectations.
• Walking between housing and the center.
• Occasional taxi use when needed.
• Flexibility with schedules and local rhythms.

The experience is best suited for people who are adaptable, respectful, patient, and comfortable with community life.

No. Assa and Smara offer a more local and community-based experience. Volunteers should not expect a tourist city, nightlife, or high-comfort placement.

This experience is best for volunteers who want:

• Meaningful language education work.
• Cultural immersion.
• Simpler daily life.
• Strong community connection.
• Respectful exchange with local students and staff.
• A slower rhythm than major cities.

It may not be the right fit for volunteers who need private housing, constant entertainment, easy access to international foods, frequent nightlife, or highly developed urban conveniences.

Before booking flights or buses, volunteers should confirm:

• Placement location: Assa or Smara.
• Arrival and departure dates.
• Whether the center is open during those dates.
• Role: teaching, food preparation, house management, or another support role.
• Housing arrangement.
• Meal/food arrangement.
• Weekly schedule expectations.
• Best arrival airport or city.
• Recommended bus route.
• Local bus station arrival plan.
• Emergency contact process.
• Medical support process.
• Travel insurance expectations.
• Any dietary needs or allergies.
• Any health concerns relevant to the placement.
• Cultural, dress, and safety expectations.
• Application and screening requirements.

C.M.V. provides:

• Shared housing near the center.
• Walkable access to the center.
• Staff meeting at the local bus station.
• Food staples for individual or shared preparation.
• Coffee and tea.
• Wi-Fi.
• Laundry.
• Local support.
• Staff accompaniment to the hospital in the event of a medical issue.
• Emergency contact notification in the event of a medical issue.

Volunteers are responsible for:

• International flights.
• Travel from the airport to Assa or Smara.
• Travel insurance, strongly recommended but not required as proof.
• Passport and visa requirements.
• Personal spending.
• Toiletries and personal items.
• Extra snacks or special foods.
• Mobile data, if desired.
• Optional travel.
• Respectful use of shared housing and food.
• Following local cultural expectations.
• Avoiding romantic involvement with local residents during the placement.
• Avoiding unknown, private, remote, or isolated locations with people they do not know well.