Volunteer: Margaret Mara
Program Site: Rabat, Morocco
Year: 2008
Age: 66
Margaret Mara, a retired ESL teacher, needed to do something to challenge herself. She chose to spend a month in Morocco with Cross-Cultural Solutions, teaching English to a group of co-ed adults.
Her experience went beyond helping the community with a much-needed skill — it changed her entire concept of who she is and how she related in the world. Margaret’s interaction with the people of Rabat, and the new relationships she made while there, opened her up to realize that she is a part of a larger world.
The people she worked with made her feel comfortable and she knew they wanted her there, as much as she wanted to be there for them. The days were spent sharing stories and discussing cultural differences and similarities. Margaret soon came to realize that no matter where you go in the world, you are wanted and can find love, and we are not all that different.
Once home, she found she was using her brain in a new way and could not get enough new knowledge on all kinds of topics. As a result of her experience. Margaret smiles more, speaks with strangers, is much less fearful, and believes she belongs everywhere.
