Economic Development

Cuscus project is the cooperative effort of the women of Smara Association Alter Forum who came together and developed a production and marketing of their cuscus brand. These women took their culinary skills and became the business women and independent enterprenuers. Today the cuscus of Smara product named "Al KHAIMA is one of the well known brands of cuscus with many varieties of flavors for everyday and special occasions. It's amazing what a little bit of creativity and imagination can do.

Sabor del Sahara (Taste of Sahara) project was established to bring tourism to Sahara and give people a taste of the rich Saharaui culture: an exotic experience of dinner with dancing in the desert tent. In the magical place where the ocean and the desert embrace, the Oasis was build with cabanas, festive tents, sauna and other accommodations. Oasis has become a kitesurf and windsurf paradise, the virgin beaches and open desert are the playground for the frequent visitors from the Canary Islands . Taste of Sahara is also a host to the intercultural summer youth camps, where the youth of Sahara and the Spanish scouts of the Canary Island spend time together. Recently Oasis hosted first K42 Sahara marathon.

Alter Forum in cooperation with the medical team from the US and local doctors, nurses and medical professionals hosted free medical clinics that provided treatments and medicines to over 7,000 patients. The medical caravan traveled to Laayoune, Tarfaya and Smara to give medical care to the most poor and disadvantaged. The international team worked side by side, along with interpreters to accommodate the crowds of people. It was an exhilarating experience to see the lives transformed, as one patient wrote in her letter of thanks for the physical therapy treatments: “I lived in pain for 2 years, I am pain free now, thank you, you are like angels”

Alter Forum is working on establishing a physical therapy center in Laayoune. Local medical professionals are being trained by the therapists from Spain and the US . The courses included the diagnosing the patients, recommending the course of treatment and educating the parents on how to handle the children with disabilities. There was a wide range of patients with disabilities to severely handicapped. Part of the hands on training included visiting the sick in their homes who are not able to come in.