SA woman to brave sun, sand and the Sahara for girls’ education

Posted by Anita Froneman on 5 April 2022

While on sabbatical in 2020, South African Linda Ricketts who owns a touring company in Morocco, joined a charity organisation in the country as a volunteer. Education for All operates a number of boarding houses and schools for young girls from remote villages in the Atlas mountain range.

While volunteering in Talat n’Yacoub, about 100km from Marrakech, Linda discovered that without education, many young Moroccan girls end up in arranged marriages. ‘Without the boarding houses they’re unable to complete their college education and the possibility of being married off too young is very real for them,’ Linda says.

One of the EFA boarding houses

The pandemic prematurely ended Linda’s three-month volunteer period, and when lockdown was declared in Morocco, the boarding houses were closed.

Now, five years after she first fell in love with Morocco and volunteered with the charity, Linda plans to return, only this time she’s on a mission to raise awareness – and funds – for the organisation.

‘The education of children in Africa lies close to my heart,’ Linda says. ‘Figures from UNESCO indicate that, in Africa, 52 million girls aren’t in school, while 4 million girls will never step into a classroom. Africa also has the highest rate of drop-out or out of school children in the world.’

Linda during her volunteering at the school

She’s planned a 400km hike through the Sahara Desert that will see her raising money to help the girls whose futures depend on getting an education.

The journey

‘After two years, I want to go back to Morocco and finish what I started,’ Linda says. ‘This time my mission will be to raise funds for this organisation that taught me so much about humility, respect, patience, understanding, love in abundance, humanity, sharing and the simplicity of life.’

Linda during her previous desert journey

Linda decided to combine an extreme desert walk with a fund-raising campaign. After the hike, she plans to visit the boarding houses to give motivational talks.

‘I have travelled the length and breadth of Morocco many times,’ Linda says. ‘From the cities to the smallest mountain village of clay. And throughout my travels, I always found laughter, happiness, hope and hospitality. As someone who is able to travel, I want to give back to these communities that welcomed me with such open arms in any way I can.’

Her one-month hike will start at the Feija Plateau and from there she will cross the stony Djebel Bani via a zig-zagged mountain footpath. The Djebel Bani mountain forms a barrier that separates the Atlas range from the desert. Then, she will cross the dunes to Erg Chigaga which, at around 60m, is the highest sand dune in the area.

A rough layout of Linda’s route

At M’Hamid, she’ll take a pause before walking all the way to her final destination at Merzouga, where there are a few small oases, dried river beds and nomadic families. The highest dune at Merzouga is Erg Chebbi, some 150m tall.

Linda will be accompanied by four camels and a small support crew – a camel handler and a guide who also cooks. She says, though, that everything – from setting up and striking camp, to filtering water for daily use ­ will be a team effort.

Linda has previously hiked Portugal’s Camino de Santiago, and the Tankwa Camino in South Africa. Her experience in the Sahara Desert includes an eight-day camel safari.

READ: Trekking across the Karoo: Surviving the Tankwa Camino

‘You need to have a very keen sense of adventure, humour, determination to succeed, ability to adapt and a clear goal,’ Linda says of what’s required. ‘Plus an unfailing belief in yourself and your capabilities to succeed and a very firm belief in the dreams you want to achieve.’

Camels are an integral part of travelling in Morocco

‘I aim to start walking in February 2023. The nights and early mornings will be freezing cold, but it is still more bearable than the summer heat where temperatures in some places can reach 50°C and there is little shade along the way. During February, temperatures are mild during the day.’

How can we get involved and support?

To find out more about Education for All or donate directly, visit their website.

Anyone who would like to contribute to Linda’s journey can do so here.

Pictures: Linda Ricketts

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