Visiting the women’s cooperative in Achbarou, Zarbiat Achbarou, supported by the High Atlas Foundation, was a truly inspiring experience. This place is much more than a restaurant or a shop: it is a living space where women welcome visitors with warmth, share their traditions through cooking classes and workshops, and create moments of genuine cultural exchange.

That day, a group of female travelers from the United States joined the activities. Their joy was contagious, and it was moving to see how both sides — the visitors and the women of the cooperative — were equally happy. They laughed together, cooked together, and shared stories, creating a unique symbiosis between two groups of women from different cultures who, for a few hours, felt united by the same spirit of joy and solidarity. This mutual satisfaction is the essence of sustainable tourism: it empowers communities while creating unforgettable experiences for travelers.

We also visited a nursery located on land donated by the Jewish community of Morocco, where an old Jewish cemetery is preserved. The tree nursery is established upon empty lands nearby the tomb, not on overlapping space. This place is a symbol of respect and collaboration across cultures and religions. At the same time, it is a space of hope, where trees are planted to restore forests, secure water, and build a sustainable future for rural families.

What I witnessed in Achbarou reminded me that international cooperation is not charity — it is justice. It is the conviction that the privileges life has given us must be shared with those who need them most. Justice must be rendered, not only spoken of, and it becomes real through actions like these: empowering women, protecting the environment, and building bridges between communities.

The High Atlas Foundation embodies this vision. Its ecological profile, rooted in sustainable economy and forest recovery, is of immense value today. By combining social justice, environmental sustainability, and women’s empowerment, it shows us that cooperation can transform local realities while offering global solutions.

I had lived similar experiences as a tourist in other countries, joining workshops and cultural activities. But experiencing it now from another perspective — as part of the cooperation process rather than just as a visitor — was profoundly inspiring. It allowed me to see the deeper meaning behind these encounters: they are not only cultural exchanges, but acts of justice and solidarity that change lives.

In Achbarou, I saw justice, sustainability, and solidarity come alive. It was not just a visit — it was a reminder of the responsibility we all share to give back, to balance inequalities, and to plant seeds of hope for the future.