Hello everyone! We want to thank you all for your patience as we have been preparing the rewards and successfully shipped them out last week! You should expect your packages today or tomorrow, which is so exciting!

We're thrilled to share with you a bit of Morocco from Rachida as well as a bit of Nest!

It took us a little while to receive Rachida's letter here in the U.S. but we think you'll all be excited to see what how appreciative she and Nest are of your involvement!

Here are a few pictures of her most recent weaving and our visit to Morocco in April with a few Nest-ers and a few women from Rachida's co-op.

We also have an update on how the rebuilding has begun with your help. Rachida's roof has been mostly reconstructed and a few new cement rooms have been put together on the top floor of her home. One of the new rooms will be for her winter wood supply, which was lost in the fire as well.

In addition, Rachida plans to buy a new loom and clothing for her children soon as well!

Thank you again so much for your involvement, it wouldn't have been possible without each of you!

When the fire took place in Rachida's house this past winter it was a difficult time for the women of Cooperative Toudart Iwsta. They all gathered at Rachida's house with nothing but a shoulder to cry on. But even during such a great loss for Rachida's family, Rachida continued to open her home giving honey bread and tea to anyone who came to offer their concern.

Your willingness to give, has given Rachida's family and the Cooperative an opportunity to rebuild and continue to grow. As Rachida said in her interview with Nest, "My dreams for the Cooperative are to grow as it grows."

-Brian Kremer, U.S. Peace Corps Morocco Volunteer [Brian has been working with Cooperative Toudart Iwsta since December of 2007. Through the years Brian has worked with Rachida along with many other women weavers of the Cooperative.]

Here's a video of some of the Nest board members dancing and singing with Rachida and the other members of the Midelt Rug Cooperative while visiting them in Morocco last month. Enjoy!

How could I forget Rachida. She opened up her home to us. That was well before the fire and we were able to laugh and visit with all the women in the co-op in her house. My daughter and I traveled to Morocco with Nest a year ago, April. Rachida welcomed us like family. In fact, she was quite taken by my then 17 year old daughter, Risa, (I suspect she had her son in mind) and asked if she would like to stay in Morocco with her. As she said this she put her arm around Risa. I in turn was told I could come visit her in the summers. Her sense of humor and warmth inspired all of us. To hear of her loss was devastating. But I'm thrilled to know that there are people out there that so readily came to her aid. Thank you. You've truly made a difference in the lives of these women.
-Harriet Saltzman

The first time I met Rachida, she gave us a weaving demonstration in her home. She laughed as she showed us how she shreds t-shirts to weave rugs since buying wool is so expensive. When I heard that she lost that loom, I was heartbroken for her. We were about to return to Morocco for another trip and I was excited to see her. We were conducting interviews and were not going to ask about the fire - we did not want to pressure her to talk about something so difficult - but she opened up right away to share her story. In addition to the fire which stole her livelihood, her husband left her. Perhaps, the two were related since she was no longer bringing income to her family. Her eyes welled with tears and I could not help but envelope her in a hug. The money we are raising - and already surpassing - will directly and powerfully impact Rachida and her entire cooperative. I am eternally grateful for the support you are all providing.

-Rebecca Kousky
Founder of Nest