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Posts Tagged ‘ Maroc ’

Literacy in North Africa, can you tell me what is going on

Algeria has been independent for 51 years and still its literacy rate is very low. So what happened. we cannot blame the low rates on old illiterate grandmas/ grandpas any more, a hold over from the 11 percent illiteracy rate from the colonial days. Every student that goes through school should be “literate” by the time they are finished and if kids are not going to school there parents should be given an opportunity to change the situation. Of course some students are taken from school to help family finances but that is unacceptable and that should be remedied as soon as possible.

The question is in North Africa, Algeria Tunisia and Morocco (Libya looks to be a bit okay) is that how do you define literacy. Students in elementary schools(Let’s assume the most basic and widespread institution) have to “read” in Arabic and in French. In Arabic you have signs that show the vowels on top or bellow the consonant letters, and usually in more advanced texts/city signage) they remove the signs. So my question is how does someone with an elementary school education cope with reading in everyday life, does he spend 5 minutes on one sentence.

In review I believe that

The older generation should be taught at home or in specialized classes in order to teach them how to read and write. I think that they should be taught for the sake of honor.

At “risk” youth should be put aside one on one in order to test them and to try to figure out what level they are at and whether they should catch up to the class.

Parent should be responsible and punished if there children “skip” classes.

literacy rates in algeria is at around 70% men about 80% and women at 60%

any comments or questions

2013: 07/13
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: algeria
algerian
algerie
education
literacy rate
literacy rate in algeria
literacy rate in north afica
Maroc
morocco
reading
Tunisia
tunisie
world
writing
3 comments

Algerian or Tunisian Sodas : identity of soda booming in France

As you all know Muslims do not drink alcohol so they tend to drink more sodas and Juices. So the question is why not make the sodas instead of consuming them.

In Algeria we have Hamoud Boualem which was founded all the way in 1878. Ifri and so on.

the market for soft drinks has been growing recently in France. Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans want to rediscover the tastes of their home countries.

They are a few questions remaining.

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2013: 04/13
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: algeria
algerians
algerie
food
france
hamoud Boualem
Maroc
morocco
soft drinks
Tunisia
tunisie
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Medical Tourism Booming in North Africa

Despite the unrest rocking several Arab countries, many foreign tourists are still heading to North Africa not only for holidays but also for plastic surgery which has become a big business namely in Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco.
The pyramids of ancient Egypt, the antiquities & beaches of Tunisia and the mystical city Marrakesh (Morocco) are no longer the main attractions for international travelers. Tourists are now more and more coming to this region for liposuction, breast augmentations and other cosmetic surgery procedures.
The popular plastic surgery operations include tummy tuck, liposuction, facelift, breast lift or reduction, dental care, buttock augmentation & lift, nose job, ear surgery, eyelid surgery, chin augmentation and hair transplantation.
Its proximity to Europe, proven skill of certified board surgeons and moderate prices that make the three northern African countries attractive alternatives to India, Thailand, Pakistan or Latin America (the current giants in the field of medical tourism). The clinics there offer unbeatable packages which combine a beach vacation, relaxation and scalpel. Instead of a hospital environment, foreign tourists seeking a new look (flawless face or body), can enjoy the luxury and comfort newly built clinics, equipped with the most modern medical and surgical apparatus.
This highly attractive offer appeals to those short on time and who want to save money at a time economic & financial crisis is hitting badly Euro-zone. Thus, Europeans (women and men), who are looking for an affordable makeover and vacation wrapped into one deal, keep coming to North Africa from as far away as Sweden, Russia and the United States.
They keep coming because they’re paying half of the medical costs in their homeland, preferring to stay in a hospital like a 5-star hotel, and getting a safe and quicker treatment.
However, it is perplexing to see that countries that attract most medical tourists are often experiencing difficulties to give the adequate medical care to their own populations. So, it’s worth thinking about and one should start shopping around for a clinic that donates some of its profits to providing medical care for those who can’t afford it at all.

2012: 10/12
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: Africa
Egypt
Maroc
mediacal tourism
medicine
middle east
morocco
Tunisia
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“Morocco without Plastic Bags” campaign launched

In a lot of countries you will find plastic bags rolling around the ground like tumble weeds.

Can the plastic bags on the street be recycled or does a ban on plastic bags have to go on effect

A nationwide awareness campaign to the danger of plastic bags on the environment and the need to use other alternatives was launched this week, under the motto “Morocco without plastic bags.” sponsored by “Mawarid”

Before plastic bags many “cultures” used beautiful handmade straw baskets

10 uses of plastic bags, 63 uses of bags

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20310499,00.html

http://www.truckerphoto.com/wallyworldbag.htm

Please comment.

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2012: 10/11
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: Agadir
algeria
algerie
Casablanca
france
grocery
Maroc
Marrakesh
Mawarid
morocco
Plastic Bag
trash
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Moroccan health sector under fire

Morocco’s healthcare system is in need of a revamp, some officials say.

“No evolution can take place in the health domain without resolving the socio-economic problems of sector employees, who live in very difficult conditions,” Health Minister Houcine El Ouardi said on September 20th.

According to the minister, “Morocco is one of 57 countries suffering from a glaring shortage of medically trained human resources”.

“We have six doctors for every 10,000 head of population, whereas in Algeria they have 12.9 and in Belgium they have 35,” El Ouardi said.

He acknowledged that the sector suffers from a litany of problems, including lack of equipment and human resources, as well as poor training and security.

The failings, El Ouardi said, will be overcome through a policy of local management and regionalisation, improved handling of chronic conditions and better governance.

Deputy Mohamed Laassel agreed that some of the healthcare problems can be resolved through improved governance and management. He mentioned that some public sector doctors work in the private sector, which impacts care provision in public hospitals.

The scourge of corruption is another problem invoked by members of the public.

Rahma Cheftili, a housewife, complained that it is almost impossible to access treatment in a public hospital without resorting to bribes. “The nurses ignore patients until someone gives them a backhander. When a woman gives birth, she has to give the nurse at least two hundred dirhams, even though it shouldn’t cost you to have a baby in a state maternity ward,” she said indignantly.

2009-12-04

Meanwhile, MP Rahma Tritah said that the necessary measures must be introduced to fight corruption in public health services, particularly in rural areas. Tackling corruption requires political will, she said.

According to the health minister, the top priorities include the need to restore public confidence in state healthcare and hospitals. He insisted, however, that people should not put all doctors in the same boat, because the majority of them are honest and work hard to serve the public.

“We have introduced measures to make the public attending hospitals aware of their duties and their rights, to prevent them falling victim to certain unhealthy practices,” El Ouardi said. “The ministry is determined to improve governance. A number of measures have therefore been introduced such as the booking of appointments by telephone and online, the introduction of social support units, and a system for following up complaints.”

Negotiations are under way with retail pharmacists and the pharmaceutical industry to lower the cost of medicines. The minister said that the first price reductions are expected this December.

2012: 10/02
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: algeria
health
Maroc
medicine
morocco
pharmacy
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how to steam CousCous

from

http://www.chefzadi.com/2011/04/how-to-steam-couscous.html

Ingredients: 1 package couscous (500 grams)

1 stick of unsalted butter salt to taste ice cold water as needed Method:

1) Place the couscous in a large round shallow dish. Stir in 1 cup of ice cold water. Let stand for 20 minutes. The couscous will stick together in one large, stiff mass. Break apart the couscous with your fingers using a circular raking motion and by gently rubbing the couscous with couscous untill all the grains are seperate.

2) Place the couscous in the steamer insert portion of a couscoussier. Fill the bottom pot of the couscoussier approximately 1/3-1/2 full of water, place steamer insert on top, bring water to a gentle boil. The water level should be low enough so that there is no risk of it touching the bottom of the steamer. Let steam uncovered for about 30 minutes.

3) Turn the couscous into the bowl. Sprinkle with about about 1/4 cup of cold water and 2 tablespoons of salt and add 1/3 stick of butter. Traditionally, North Africans use their hands to incorporate the ingredients, you can use a fork if the heat bothers you. Let stand for about 30 minutes, rake with your hands (or stir with a fork) again to completely separate each grain and return to steamer for a second steaming.

4) Steam for 20 minutes, turn out the couscous into a bowl, add about 1/4 cup of cold water, more salt to taste and 1/3 of the butter, fluff the couscous using the same raking motion, let stand for 30 minutes and return to steamer for final steaming.

5) Turn out the couscous into the bowl, add more salt and butter to taste. The finished product should be light and fluffy, with an al dente texture. It should not be gritty or mushy. Serve on a round platter in a mound as shown. A former student of mine, Jameen Khan, gifted with me a Japanese made tagine. And no, North Africans do not serve couscous in a tagine. That was done for photographic purposes.

2012: 08/17
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: Africa
algeria
algerian
algerie
butter
couscous
Libya
Maroc
middle east
morocco
north africa
Tunisia
tunisie
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FC Barcelona vs Raja casablanca 8-0

2012: 07/29
CATEGORY: Uncategorized
TAGS: Africa
club football
foot ball
Maroc
morocco
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Mohamed Amine Hadj Said, CEO of the NTA: “We are rebuilding the destination Algeria”

Amine Hadj Said: highlight the multifaceted tourist in Algeria

Appointed head of the Algerian National Tourist Office (NTO) since March 2011, Mohamed Amine Hadj Said is convinced that the image of Algeria destination has changed “positively”. The NTA has become more “offensive” and “relevant” in its communications work, he says.

For over a year since you’re the head of the NTA. What is your assessment of your mission?

It is reshaping the image of Algeria, and we see every day that this picture is changing positively. We felt, through our participation in international fairs in 2012, that the image of Algeria destination has changed significantly since we had always felt that wherever one went, foreigners were not the true idea of Algeria. This image was often distorted, altered, tainted negatively, so that made it a risky destination. The task of the NTA is to fight tooth and nail to show that the destination is Algeria serene, safe, stable, and very promising.

How do you do to change that image of Algeria?

Internationally, we work through the stands talking. Algeria travel now stand with all its doors. It does not merely one facet. Here we go with the doors of Timimoun, Djemila, the Casbah and the Mansura same time, and it highlights the door to the most appropriate recipients that we are targeting. In Italy, it highlights the door Djemila, in Germany it brings out the door Timimoun, because we know that the Germans are fond of the Sahara.

On top of that, we always try to be aggressive and relevant in our advocacy work, because it is not enough to distribute brochures. In all fairs where we were, we presented a paper on Algeria tourism, media in the presence of the host and tour operators. And it is through these media that we found the change.

Does this means an evolution in terms of foreign tourist flows?

To be objective, I will talk in terms of border entries. For the first quarter of 2012, we recorded an increase of 35% of entries at the border, compared to the same period of 2011. That means that if we maintain this momentum until the end of the year, we will reach 3.2 million border entries, including nearly a million foreigners, against 2.4 million in 2011.

What is the role of domestic tourism in the strategy of the ONT?

The NTA gives primary importance to domestic tourism. We organize “familiarization trips” in favor of the national media to affect the image of interest to Algerian citizens who do not have the chance to know them. Domestic tourism is a priority because it helps to inculcate the culture of tourism needed to develop our international tourism. This besides the fact that domestic tourism strengthens ties and cultural exchanges between different regions of our country.

What is the budget amount you spend on the promotion of the destination Algeria?

This is a fairly substantial budget, expected to increase gradually as the destination Algeria demand media most important. Our current resources are below those used by our neighbors Tunisia and Morocco because tourism is a real home industry. The difference is huge. We are rebuilding the destination Algeria. You can not go to campaigns with millions of dollars when you do not park hotel, worthy of the name, capable of receiving tourists lured by promotional campaigns.

Algerian tour operators talk about the bad publicity that are Tunisian and Moroccan operators to discourage European tourists who want to come to Algeria.Comment?

It’s almost fair game, given that tourism is an industry and commerce. I want to say however that many destinations are a bad eye awakening Algeria because of the destination that the tourist wants to discover something else. Tourist loyalty no longer exists, and all destinations are engaged in a sometimes unfair competition. If tourism in Algeria wakes up, believe me, it will be hard … We have much to manufacture products of extraordinarily diverse. We can bring tourists to the ski on snow Tikjda, the next he can ski to sea Tipaza before taking a plane to Bechar where he can ski on the golden dunes of Taghit. We have products to dream, and I do not know many countries that can afford them. It belongs to our professionals to market research and manufacture products that sell.

Any last words?

We love people who are at the heart of Algeria, and people who have the heart of Algeria, we are very pleased to welcome them at the heart of Algeria because our slogan, it is precisely “The journey of heart ” .