How It All Started
Our founding story, key milestones, and evolution
Our Founding Story
Education For All was born in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where many girls could not reach school because of distance, dangerous paths, and a lack of safe accommodation. Government boarding houses existed but were often unaffordable or unsafe for girls, contributing to extremely high illiteracy rates. A group of friends living in Morocco, including Mike McHugo, Marijke Stroosnijder, and Cees van den Berg, began raising funds over shared meals, determined to make a difference. "Sometimes when you start something, you have no idea where it's going to go," Marijke recalls. Inspired by the belief that education transforms lives, they decided to support girls in continuing their studies. In 2007, the first boarding house opened in Asni for twelve girls from remote villages. Mike explains, "We realised from the beginning that we had to be very careful with our approach… but what we could do was make it easier for some girls to continue their studies within the established school system."
Cees van den Berg, EFA's treasurer and co-founder, dedicated himself entirely to the association. For him, each house was a personal mission — he made sure everything was built properly and designed so that girls could truly feel at home. Thanks to his commitment, the boarding houses became warm, welcoming spaces. Although he passed away in 2021, his legacy continues to shape everything EFA does today.
Today, over 800 girls have passed through EFA, many going on to higher education and careers as teachers, researchers, and professionals — proof that education changes everything.
Key Milestones
From our humble beginnings to where we are today, these are the key moments that have shaped our journey.
EFA Founded
First temporary house opened, hosting 10 girls.
Dar Asni 1 Opens
First EFA-built house opens, accommodating 36 girls.
Expansion
Second rented house opens in Talat N'Yacoub, Dar Tinmel 1, starting with 12 girls, allowing outreach to more villages.
Dar Ouirgane House
Third EFA-built house opens in Ouirgane, accommodating 36 girls.
First Graduates
Five girls pass their baccalaureate, first in their villages to reach this level. They were invited to the British Embassy in Rabat for recognition.
Dar Asni 2 Opens
Fourth house opens in Asni.
Dar Asni 3 Opens
Fifth house opens in Asni.
Dar Tinmel 2 Opens
Sixth house opens in Talat N'Yacoub, providing 52 beds to meet regional needs.
COVID Adaptation
Implemented remote learning support to continue education during the pandemic.
Earthquake Response
Responded to Morocco's devastating earthquake, ensuring student safety and beginning rebuilding. Only Dar Ouirgane remained standing.
Our Evolution
From our humble beginnings with one boarding house, Education For All has grown into a comprehensive educational support organization. Over the years, we have:
- Expanded from 10 to over 200 girls supported annually
- Developed comprehensive academic support programs
- Added extracurricular activities and skills development
- Created mentoring and personal development initiatives
- Built a network of supporters and partners worldwide
- Established robust governance and operational structures
Looking Forward
As we continue to grow, our commitment to providing access to education for girls from rural Morocco remains unwavering. We are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our students and communities, while staying true to our founding mission.
Be Part of Our Story
Join us in continuing to write the story of Education For All Morocco. Your support helps us provide education and opportunities for more girls.