American Friendship Foundation ­ Morocco

The American Friendship Foundation (AFF) is pleased to begin a partnership with a Moroccan humanitarian aid organization that is bringing hope to disabled children in Southern Morocco.

Morocco is located in Northern Africa, across the Mediterranean Sea from Spain and bordering Algeria and Mauritania. Despite recent medical improvement, the lack of primary medical facilities results in significant child mortality, injury and physical disabilities for children during or after birth.

Thousands of these disabled children have Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy describes a group of disorders that affect muscle movement control. Cerebral Palsy results from injuries to the childıs brain during birth, from a brain infection (bacterial meningitis, viral encephalitis) or from a head injury.

Many of these children come from the poorest segment of the population and have limited access to competent medical care. Neglected by society and even by their families these children face a life of begging in front of their homes. Early intervention in the form of physical therapy can greatly improve the lives of these children, helping them to develop muscle movement, strength and motor skills in limbs that would otherwise atrophy. AFF desire is to help these families dealing with their childıs disability.