Ait Lekak: Morocco

I (Steve) recently had the wonderful opportunity to go to Ait Lekak, Morocco with several students from Lock Haven University. The purpose of the trip was to provide international Service-Learning experiences to the students involved. We performed screening exams at three villiage schools in the High Atlas Mountains--in all close to 500 children and adults were seen. Additionally, we gathered height and weight data, random glucose, hemoglobin, and blood pressure on the children and adults.

We found that the children are underweight, undernourished with nutritional deficiencies. Notable findings in this population included low hemoglobin levels despite living around 12,000 feet elevation, and many with markedly palpable thyroids.

The adults at Ait Lekak had less pathophysiology than did those at the lower villiages. Those villiages were more remarkable for hypertension, we found several undiagnosed diabetes, and a multitude of adults with goiters. We educated the villiage leaders and parents about the importance of maintaining iodine in their diet as well as drawing attention to the importance of good nutrition in their children.

This was a remarkable experience for myself and the students. We lived with the villiagers, ate with them, danced, sang...they opened their lives to us and taught us a great deal about life and how simple it is to be happy and laugh despite the struggles of life. It is impossible to accurately share this experience...I could not have imagined it had I not had the experience! I have some photos and videos that will share some of the beauty of Ait Lekak and her people.

Link to videos Note the others to the right as this video plays.