Building a better future
Project success Stories
William Reid School, Zambia
Before, 2020.
Mekong Book Boat, Laos
The Mekong River is the lifeblood of South East Asia, stretching for around 3,000 miles through 6 different countries, including Laos. Based in the northern UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang, the Baraka Book Boat and its team spend their days cruising up and down the river visiting rural schools, which are often inaccessible by road for ten months of the year. The boat visits at least 55 primary schools per year and each school usually receives 4 annual visits. Over 15,000 visits by children are recorded annually. These visits are highly anticipated by the pupils who run down to the river bank in excitement when the boat approaches. Visits by the Book Boat provide a valuable and vital resource to the schools as books are a rarity in rural Laos and the children have limited reading opportunities. As well as providing books, the Book Boat team undertakes fun and inspirational teaching sessions. These sessions may include important hygiene lessons for the children who live in areas where toilets are scarce and teeth cleaning is not common practice. When funds permit, we distribute hygiene kits, as well as pens, notebooks and pencils etc. The Book Boat has been running for over ten years and is a hugely successful and sought-after initiative that we hope to continue for many years to come.
Tighza Village earthquake relief, Morocco
Baraka was born over 20 years ago in a small village in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco when we helped out with some village community projects. A dozen or so years later we stepped back when we felt that we had reached the limit of our support. Fast forward to September 2023 and a devastating earthquake hit the region causing approximately 3,000 deaths and widespread devastation. Though Tighza was spared any deaths, many houses were destroyed or rendered unsafe to live in. Encouraged by many of our supporters, we felt compelled to return to Tighza to help the village in its time of need. Over the next few years, we raised over £40,000 and helped with the building or renovation of over 20 family homes in the village. We also helped with the repair and improvement of the village irrigation system that is essential for the subsistence way of life in this remote community. In 2025 and 2026, we conducted volunteer work trips to the region and are planning a third in April 2027. The villagers greatly appreciated our volunteers coming to their village to offer support and solidarity, and roll up their sleeves to work alongside the community. Tighza is slowly rebuilding and, in today’s world, is a reminder of what can be achieved when people work together. We are privileged to have played a small part in helping the village rebuild, but the real inspiration comes from the resilience and determination of the local people.
Baraka volunteers repairing irrigation channels
A ruined home with massive boulder.