Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
20 Jan 2026
Reply rate
96.3 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
21
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Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
My name is Lahcen. I am the director of a language center in Smara, Morocco.
We are a small language and education center located in Smara, a quiet and authentic Sahrawi city in the south of Morocco, near Laâyoune. Smara is not a tourist destination, and that is exactly what makes it special. Life here is simple, peaceful, and deeply rooted in Sahrawi and Hassani culture, hospitality, and desert traditions.
Our city is surrounded by the desert, where people still enjoy traditional moments such as drinking tea together, sharing stories, poetry, and strong human connections. Volunteers who come here experience the real Morocco, far from crowds and mass tourism.
Our center focuses mainly on language education (English, German, French, Spanich and other languages when possible), personal development, and cultural exchange. We work mostly with young people, students, and local learners who are very motivated and curious to learn languages and discover other cultures.
We are a small and friendly team, and we consider volunteers as part of our family. We value respect, openness, patience, and cultural exchange. Teaching experience is appreciated but not always required , motivation, kindness, and a willingness to share knowledge are more important to us.
If you are looking for a deep cultural experience, simplicity, human connection, and a place where your presence truly matters, Smara may be the right place for you.
You are very welcome to join us and share this unique journey :)
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Teaching
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
House & pet sitting
Interests
Events & social
Self development
Animals
Languages
Music
Camping
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers will learn about Sahrawi culture, traditions, and daily life through real human connection and cultural exchange.
- they can visit old Zawyas (sufi lodges)
- they can try the Sahrawi clothes and taste the most delicious tea in Morocco.
- we can teach them Arabic if they want.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We welcome volunteers who enjoy sharing languages and cultures, helping with language classes, conversation practice, and engaging with our students in a friendly and respectful environment.
Languages
Languages spoken
Arabic: Fluent
French: Fluent
English: Intermediate
German: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in a shared apartment near the center. The accommodation is clean, comfortable, and we want you to feel at home. The apartment is well equipped with everything you may need during your stay.
We offer two meals per day: breakfast and lunch.
From time to time, we also organize a special dinner in the desert as a cultural experience. We share traditional tea, music, and dance around the fire. This moment is offered as a gift of hospitality, to relax, recharge energy, and enjoy Sahrawi culture together.
We believe these shared moments create strong human connections and make the experience more meaningful.
What else ...
Smara is a peaceful and safe city located in the south of Morocco. It is a calm place where people know each other, and visitors are generally welcomed with kindness and respect. Volunteers can feel comfortable and secure during their stay.
In their free time, volontaires can enjoy simple local life, walk around the city, meet local people, practice languages, or relax. We also sometimes organize desert outings, tea moments, and cultural evenings with music and traditional dance.
Regarding transportation, there are two easy options to reach Smara:
Direct buses from Marrakech or Agadir to Smara
A direct flight from Casablanca to Smara
We are always happy to help volunteers with guidance and advice before their arrival.
Our city is small and traditional. We kindly ask volunteers to dress modestly in public and avoid wearing short clothes, out of respect for local culture
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
there is a place where you can park
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
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Feedback (10)
They helped us by teaching English to both children and adults, and they did it with great patience, kindness, and positive energy.
They created a very friendly and comfortable learning atmosphere. The children really enjoyed their classes, and the adults felt motivated and… read more
She taught German with great passion and professionalism, and her support in English and Spanish was extremely valuable for our students. Her teaching methods… read more
We are even happier because she will return after one week to continue working with the students at our language center. We highly recommend… read more
Photos
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
They helped us by teaching English to both children and adults, and they did it with great patience, kindness, and positive energy.
They created a very friendly and comfortable learning atmosphere. The children really enjoyed their classes, and the adults felt motivated and… read more
She taught German with great passion and professionalism, and her support in English and Spanish was extremely valuable for our students. Her teaching methods… read more
We are even happier because she will return after one week to continue working with the students at our language center. We highly recommend… read more
All the staff at the center appreciated and loved them, and my family also grew very fond of them. We all felt like one big family , the volunteers… read more
It was a great honor to have her with us as part of our big family. She taught English to the students at the center successfully and quickly became… read more
Jade est une personne admirable : dynamique, bienveillante et toujours souriante. Elle a fait un travail remarquable en enseignant le français à nos étudiants, avec beaucoup de passion, de patience et de créativité.
Les apprenants l’ont… read more
Tout d’abord, Lahcen et sa famille vous accueillent à bras ouverts et font tout pour que vous vous sentiez comme chez vous. Leur hospitalité et leur bienveillance m’ont immédiatement fait sentir comme à la maison. La cuisine de la maman… read more
We highly recommend him to any host. It was truly a pleasure to have him… read more
Pase 1 mes con ellos y me sentí en familia, me quedo con muy buenos y lindos recuerdos, recomiendo que visiten esta parte del Sáhara Occidental es mágico.
Sus estudiantes tienen muchas ganas de aprender y… read more
My parents and all the staff at the center really appreciated her kind and cheerful personality.
We truly hope she will come back again, inshallah
She will… read more
And he always looks in a good mood.
Special mention to his mom's lunches. They were delicious 😋 and… read more
Ils sont pleins de joie, de gentillesse et d’énergie positive. Ils ont très bien travaillé avec les enfants du centre, apportant bonheur, patience et dévouement dans chaque… read more
Ce fut un plaisir d'enseigner à des enfants motivés pour apprendre les langues. Les conditions du bénévolat sont très favorables : les 3 h de cours ( maximum ) ont lieu de 19h à 22h ce qui laisse toutes les journées et les week-ends de libres ,… read more
We had many joyful moments together, tasting local dishes in the desert for example.
I was there to do the first classes of the year (in French & English) with the students in September and it was great to be with the kids and adults while working with… read more
