The A.P.E.H.E was founded on April 15th,1981, The ultimate objective
behind the creation of this humanitarian association was to allow disabled kids
in Essaouira to benefit from a primary education as well as professional training as a first step towards a further aim, which
is the insertion within the social structure.
At first, the association got a temporary office at Mohammed the Sixth school, (called then, school of the heir to
the throne, prince sidi Mohammed). We later moved to another place put at our disposal
by the delegation of the ministry of youth and sports. It was located in “Rue Alger” in the old Medina.
Four educators of American nationality belonging to the Peace Corps
organisation, as well as two Moroccan educators were sent to take care of the disabled kids that had started coming in. Some
equipment was sent to us by the Peace Corps and by the Canadian embassy in Rabat. It was then that the present
centre directed by the association began offering its services.
In 1988 the ministry of handcrafts and social affairs decided that two of its educators work for the association
though they are paid by the ministry.
The decision of building the existing centre was taken in 1990.with the help of the authorities and the town
council as well as the evangelic church in Rabat, the centre was built and open on the occasion of the youth day, on July
9th 1992.
The centre is now open for children suffering from different kinds of
disability , physical and mental. They are taken care of by 3 female educators. There is a workshop where the kids learn how
to make wood puzzles that are used as toys.
(by Mohammed Mabrouk)