ROUND SQUARE “Big Build” Morocco suits Tom
Casablanca, Marrakesh, medinas and tagines flavoured with saffron are a world away from wintry Christchurch, and Year 13 student and Head of Boarding Tom Davidson made the most of every Morrocan moment.
Taking part in the Round Square “Big Build” service project in Morocco in July was extraordinary, says Tom. He and 61 other students from all around the world spent 12 days in a village high in the Atlas Mountains. “It was an amazing experience, making friends with all the other students, living and working in the village of Tacheddirt at high altitude, and helping build a classroom for girls and a pathway from the road down to the village.”
Perched on a steep hillside, access to Tacheddirt is difficult, especially in rainy weather. The Round Square team, working in three groups, built over 400 steps to improve the path. “It was hard physical work. We used pickaxes to form the steps, brought in rocks to pound into the top of each to stabilise them, and mixed and poured over cement to keep them in place. While one group was doing that, another would be carrying bricks, cement and sand and laying bricks for the classroom.
The third group would be on a cultural visit.” Tom said the steps were virtually completed when they left and, apart from the roof and putting in the doors and windows, the classroom was finished.
“We even got it plastered.”
The Round Square students stayed in a riad (a hostel), ate Morrocan food, experienced a hike at high altitude, learnt about cooking traditional food, drank huge
Christ’s College Canterbury
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