Deniz Leyla ÇOBAN

Hello,

I am Deniz Leyla Çoban. Through KOZ-DER I had the chance to volunteer under the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) in Agdz, Morocco between 14 April and 6 June.

I joined to get to know a new culture, gain experience in an international setting and work with different people. But what I gained over almost two months in Morocco went far beyond my expectations.

My Role in the Project

Throughout the project I worked with children in local schools. I gave Scratch lessons in particular, supporting the students’ interest in technology and creative thinking.

I also visited villages and special schools, playing educational games with children — chess, mangala, Reversi, Quoridor and Cup Stacking. These activities were not simply about having fun; they aimed to help children develop problem-solving, strategic thinking and social skills.

I also had the chance to take first aid training during the project, which gave me new perspectives on both personal and social responsibility.

The Bond I Built with the Children

The most valuable part of the experience was the connection I built with the children. Spending time with them every day and witnessing their energy, curiosity and appetite for learning was unforgettable.

My time in the village of Aynas holds a particularly special place. The bond we built was something else. The games we played, the laughter and the feelings we shared made the experience deeply meaningful.

I came to understand better that volunteering is not only passing on knowledge: sometimes it is sharing in the smile on a child’s face, listening to them and making them feel valued.

Morocco’s Cultural Richness

Agdz is quite different from the crowded, busy image many people have of Morocco. It is a quiet, calm town.

Thanks to the hospitality of local people I got to know Moroccan culture closely. I had the chance to try traditional dishes such as tagine, couscous and msemen, and they have definitely joined my favourites.

One of the things that struck me most was people’s commitment to keeping their culture and language alive. Seeing the place of Amazigh culture in daily life was fascinating. That people continue to speak their own languages and preserve their traditions showed how valuable cultural diversity is.

A Gnawa night I attended during this time became one of my unforgettable memories. That evening, where music, rhythm and a sense of community came together, was one of the moments I felt Moroccan culture most strongly.

A Night in the Desert

One of the finest moments of my time in Morocco was a night spent in the desert. Being under a sky covered in stars, far from city lights, and experiencing the silence of the desert taught me to look at nature and at the world we live in differently.

What This Experience Gave Me

Through this project I improved my intercultural communication skills and got to know different ways of living more closely. I met people from different countries and different age groups and built new friendships.

I also had the chance to observe Morocco’s history, culture and social structure up close. Seeing that different languages, traditions and ways of life can exist side by side reminded me again how rich and varied the world is.

Working with children, observing their development in a different cultural setting and being able to build a bond with them was especially valuable to me.

In Conclusion

Thank you to KOZ-DER for making this experience possible, to the AGDZ Volunteers Without Borders team who organised the project, to the fellow volunteers I worked with and to the people of Morocco who welcomed me so warmly.

Over two months in Morocco I did not only get to know a new country; I also learned how different cultures can bring people together, how volunteering can touch lives, and that sometimes the most valuable experiences appear in unexpected places.

When I left Morocco I brought back not only photographs but friendships, memories, new perspectives and experiences that will stay with me for life.