Empowering Preschool Children Through Arts and Culture
The OUM EL GHAIT association has proudly announced the conclusion of its 2026 educational and artistic initiative, 'Boudour Wa Joussour.' This groundbreaking project is dedicated to placing culture, the arts, and creativity at the forefront of preschool education for children. Throughout the academic year, the program has been operational in the neighborhoods of Sidi Moumen and Sidi Bernoussi in Casablanca, enabling hundreds of children to engage in a variety of artistic, cultural, and educational workshops. These activities have been meticulously designed to stimulate their awakening, bolster their learning, and enhance their skills in expression, creativity, and social interaction.
The highlight of this edition was a series of showcase performances that took place between May and June 2026. These performances, created by the children themselves under the guidance of educators, artists, and experts from various disciplines, served not only to showcase the skills acquired by the participants but also to share the project’s outcomes with families and partners.
According to Amal El Kadiri Berrada, the president and founder of OUM EL GHAIT, the project is founded on a holistic educational approach aimed at nurturing the artistic and cultural awareness of preschool children. It seeks to develop their linguistic, motor, social, and creative skills while simultaneously enhancing the pedagogical capabilities of educators through close support. This initiative is a continuation of the educational model that the association has championed since its inception, striving to provide quality preschool education accessible to children from underprivileged urban neighborhoods and promoting equal opportunities from a young age.
Strategic Partnerships and Cultural Integration
The 'Boudour Wa Joussour' project is implemented in partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Promotion of Social Works of Education-Training and is supported by the Moroccan Foundation for the Promotion of Preschool Education (FMPS). The initiative also benefits from collaborations with partner schools, experts, and local stakeholders. It emphasizes several strategic pillars, including the professional development of educators, strengthening co-education and partnership with families, and integrating arts and culture into the children’s educational journey. The association views artistic practices as vital tools for emotional, cognitive, social, and creative development.
This project features the tale 'The Hoopoe and the Twelve Birds,' inspired by Farid al-Din Attar's 'The Conference of the Birds.' Rewritten by Professor Faouzi Skali and tailored for kindergarten children, this narrative serves as an educational tool to instill values of citizenship, coexistence, solidarity, and openness, while also celebrating the richness of Moroccan cultural heritage.
A structured evaluation system has been developed to assess the program's impact on the overall development of the children and the evolution of educational practices. This evaluation considers various dimensions, including cognitive, linguistic, aesthetic, creative, motor, as well as social and civic aspects, relying on field observations, age-appropriate evaluative sessions, analysis of artistic outputs, and family involvement throughout the project’s various stages.
The artistic and cultural initiative 'Boudour Wa Joussour' is endorsed by actress Amal Ayouch, who also played the role of the Hoopoe in the musical produced by the association in 2025. Directed by Laila Skali, this endeavor aims to transform art and culture into a space for encounter, expression, and social cohesion within urban neighborhoods. Since its launch, seven performances have been hosted at the El Ghali Berrada Cultural Center.
As reported by lnt.ma.
