Four of our long-term volunteers decided to visit our beautiful home in Morocco last December. They came back, beaming with happiness.
Read the beautiful reflections below from Eman Haq and her mother Urooj as well as from Rimsha Faheem and her mother Sobia
We are very touched by their kindness and generosity. We hope their stories inspire you to shine your own light.
Eman’s Visit to Maison de Lumiere
I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Givelight home in Morocco in December 2024, accompanied by my mother and our close friends, Rimsha and Sobia Faraz. We spent four days and three nights there, and while time may have passed, the memories will remain in my heart forever. Being involved with Givelight for so long—volunteering, donating, and supporting—I’ve always felt a deep connection to the mission and the children they help. But to finally step foot in a Givelight home, seeing the smiles and the love firsthand, was a truly humbling experience.
On our very first day, when we met the girls, they greeted us with such warmth and genuine affection. Their embrace was so open and loving, and I immediately felt like part of the family. Despite the language barrier, since many of them spoke Arabic and French, Rimsha and I were still able to create such deep, meaningful connections with them. The girls’ spirit and energy shone through, making it feel like words weren’t even necessary to communicate the bond we shared.
One of my fondest memories was one evening when we all sat down and started sharing stories. It was such a beautiful exchange—each of us telling tales from our lives, laughing and learning from each other’s experiences. I tend to be quite shy, especially when it comes to singing in front of others, but these girls convinced me to step out of my comfort zone. I was surprised at how much their encouragement helped me find the courage to sing in front of others. That moment, for me, was not just about singing; it was about breaking barriers and discovering a new side of myself and these girls helped me achieve this. Being surrounded by their love and company, I felt comfortable enough to jump out of my comfort zone.
The home itself was so beautifully designed. One of the most memorable things was the garden. Dian told me that it was inspired by the stunning Jardin Majorelle by Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech. It was easy to see why the children loved to play there so much.
What struck me the most was how much I learned from the girls during our time there. They taught me games that I had never played before—simple yet so full of joy and meaning. I was humbled by their ability to find happiness in the smallest things, and in turn, they taught me to appreciate the present moment more fully.
Overall, the trip was far more than just a visit. It was a lesson in love, kindness, and human connection. I returned home with a renewed sense of gratitude for all the blessings I have in my life, and with a heart filled with love for the girls and the Givelight family. The experience deepened my commitment to helping and supporting this incredible organization, and I am forever grateful to have been a part of such an amazing journey.
Urooj’s Reflections:
l had the honor of visiting Givelight Home in Morocco in December 2024. I had been engaged with the Givelight organization indirectly, and had heard so many times about this home, and seen pictures. And when my daughter decided to do the teach-in program offered by Givelight in Morocco, I was more than excited to be part of her journey.
I had the experience of a lifetime staying there, with close to 37 beautiful souls. And the selfless staff, who took care of us, and in spite of the language barrier, made us feel so welcomed.
The home was beautifully and thoughtfully designed. And the residents girls looked so happy and radiant all the time. Their energy and love was something I still long to experience. We played games together, and had various meals together, and those were really special moments.
It was a very gratifying experience, and my gratitude bucket list is overflowing. Even though I am back but I have learnt so much during my stay. There have been times when I feel overwhelmed with challenges of life, but looking back and thinking about those girls brings so much strength in me.
I pray that those gilrs excel in life and Allah gives me the resources to fulfil some of their dreams, and make an impact in thier lives.
Rimsha’s Reflections
During winter break, I had the amazing chance to travel with my mom, Sobia, and our friends Eman Haq and Urooj Haq to spend some time at the Givelight home in Oujda, Morocco. We stayed for four days and three nights, and it turned out to be an experience that I’ll never forget.
When we first arrived, things didn’t go as planned. Our luggage, which had all the gifts and activities we brought for the kids, didn’t make it with us. But instead of feeling upset, we made the best of it the very next morning. We went out and bought games, hygiene products, and food for the children to make sure they still felt special and loved.
On our first day, we met the children, and I was immediately struck by how polite, kind, and welcoming they were. Even though we didn’t speak the same language, we found ways to connect. We used Google Translate and did activities together, and one of the girls helped us translate for the others. It didn’t take long to realize that language barriers couldn’t stop us from building a bond.
The Givelight home itself was such a beautiful place. It was a large, well-built two-story building with guest rooms, classrooms, a computer lab, a kitchen, and a big garden. In that garden, we spent so many precious moments with the girls, creating memories that I’ll hold onto forever. We played Moroccan games, American games, sang songs, told stories, played drums, learned Taekwondo, did yoga, and danced together. It felt like we were all part of something bigger, something full of joy and shared energy.
One of the best moments was when we organized a pizza party for the girls. We baked brownies and cooked pasta with the older girls, and it was such a beautiful feeling to share a meal with them. After dinner, we would all gather and spend hours singing, dancing, and just enjoying each other’s company. Those late nights, filled with laughter and music, will stay with me always.
Even though we had some bumps in the road at the start, with no materials and no clear plans, I wouldn’t change a thing about our trip. The children’s love and enthusiasm made everything feel so worth it. I got a chance to learn about Moroccan culture, and their educational system, and most importantly, I was able to build real connections with the girls. I’ll always keep in touch with them, and I’ll never forget the kindness of the staff at the home, who treated us like family from the moment we walked in.
The materials we had originally bought for the kids finally arrived after we left, and I really hope they were able to use and enjoy everything we sent.
This experience was truly something special, and I’d love to visit again, Inshallah. The memories and friendships I made will stay with me forever.
Sobia’s Reflections
In the past, my older daughter had always been deeply passionate about Givelight. She was part of the very first chapter of Project Inspire for Givelight and always dreamed of visiting the children in Indonesia. Unfortunately, she never had the chance to go because of the global pandemic. This year, my younger daughter started to share that same passion, and together with my friend Urooj Haq and her daughter Eman Haq, we decided to visit the Givelight home in Oujda, Morocco.
On the first day, I had the chance to meet and connect with the staff, even though there was a bit of a language barrier. After that, we were able to greet all the children, and my heart was instantly filled with joy as I saw their bright smiles. Even though our luggage hadn’t arrived yet, everyone was determined to make sure the children had what they needed, and the next morning, we went out to gather new things for them.
That first night, I woke up early due to jetlag, around 5 am. I was grateful for the early wake-up because it allowed me to watch the sunrise and greet the girls before they left for school. Hearing them recite the Quran in the morning and seeing their excitement about going to school filled me with so much joy. It was a moment I will never forget.
As the days passed, I had the chance to help Rimsha and Eman with activities and games for the children. Through these activities, I grew closer to them. They would tell me stories, share laughs, and even perform Bollywood dances for us. It was such a special connection that I’ll always carry with me.
Visiting the Givelight home was truly an eye-opening experience, and I believe it’s something everyone should experience. It allows you to witness firsthand a completely different way of life, and you truly see the impact that Givelight has made for children across the world. Being there made me even more grateful for the hard work of people in my community who are dedicated to making a difference.
I will forever hold the memories of the children in Morocco close to my heart. I’ll never forget the moment they all came together to hug me on our last day, tears in their eyes. It was a moment of love and connection that will stay with me for the rest of my life.