How One Woman Found What She Was Missing—by Giving Back in Morocco
I didn’t come to Morocco to escape. I came to reconnect—with people, with purpose, and with something I had lost along the way.
For over 20 years, I worked in Denmark’s national system—supporting individuals in some of life’s toughest moments. I specialized in criminal rehabilitation, legal guidance, and debt counseling. My days were filled with courtrooms, case files, policy meetings, and the difficult work of helping people who often had nowhere else to turn.
I was proud of what I did. And when I moved into advocacy at the European level—pushing for equal access to debt support systems across borders—I believed I was contributing to something meaningful. But somewhere in between the structure and strategy, I began to feel it: a quiet emptiness. I was helping from a distance… but I missed being close to the people.
That’s when Morocco found me.
A New Chapter in Tangier
I didn’t arrive with a grand plan. I simply followed a calling. I volunteered on small community projects in Tangier—first helping young people develop life skills, then working with families facing difficult situations. It was nothing like the systems I knew. There were no policies, no programs—just people helping people.
And it moved me in a way nothing had in years.
From the medina streets of Tangier to the green mountains of Ketama, I found a raw, human connection that reminded me why I started in social work in the first place. Every smile, every small success, every child who opened up or woman who stepped into her power—it fed something in me I hadn’t realized was starving.
The Missing Piece Was Community
There’s something deeply humbling about giving your time with no agenda. You learn to listen more. To accept what’s different. To celebrate the small things. Morocco has taught me that healing doesn’t always come from systems. Sometimes, it comes from showing up—consistently, quietly, and with care.
Today, I’m still working—just differently. I use my background to support international newcomers, locals in transition, and volunteers who want to be part of something meaningful. Through Welcome to Tanger City, I help others build bridges just like the ones that helped me rebuild myself.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
- You don’t need to have it all figured out to make a difference
- Letting go of structure can open space for real connection
- Purpose is often found in places we never expected to look
- Morocco gives back in ways you can’t put into words
If you’re reading this and wondering if it’s too late to start again, or too strange to follow your gut—I hope this story is your sign. Because sometimes, we have to step out of what we know to remember who we are.
And Morocco… well, it has a way of welcoming you just when you need it most.
