The Little Girl Who Gave Meaning to Our Best Trail Running Vacations
January 1, 2018 by Pablo Rodriguez
The river
Pablo Rodriguez, March 31 2017.
In March 2017, while scouting the area in between the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert in Morocco with my friend Abdu Oukioud, something spectacular happened to us.
It wasn’t the discovery of a lost path or the meeting with some thought extinct animal. No, it was something far more profound. We found a reason to be, a cause that truly resonated with the soul of NomaTrails. Abdu and I had been running for two days, deep into one of the most remote locations I’ve ever seen in my life. We were far, far away from any tourist route – about five and a half hours in the opposite direction from where most people go from Marrakesh. It felt like time travel, honestly. We were in the middle of nowhere, where people live much like they did centuries ago. We were just running, letting our legs carry us, not knowing exactly what we’d find around the next bend. That’s the NomaTrails way, right? Trusting the path, trusting the journey.
We approached a small patch of beach on the other side of the river, by the N’goun Canyon. That’s when we saw them: a little girl, dressed in red, and her dad working in what looked like an ancient irrigation channel. It was unexpected, a moment that felt destined.
The Village: A Stop on Our Trail Running Vacations Journey
Using the ancient Berber language that my friend Abdu speaks so fluently, they invited us to join them for some tea in their house. “Their house?” I thought. “They live here?” It was incredible. We followed them up a small, winding trail to discover that a whole village lay hidden, tucked away by the towering cliffs. We had stumbled upon one of the most beautiful human beings, living in a place so removed from our modern world. It was a profound discovery, the kind of connection that truly defines our **best trail running vacations**.
Tuda: A Heartfelt Encounter
Tuda, the little girl, was just 12 years old, with a beautiful face that reminded me of fresh corn flakes. She immediately ran to the mountain, not to play, but to gather wood for the fire. Meanwhile, her dad, Ahmad, showed us their home. He introduced us to his wife. I reached out to shake her hand, but she gently kissed mine instead – a gesture of warmth and welcome I’ll never forget. Ahmad then led us into a dimly lit room where we found Tuda again. She was already baking bread for us, with a skill that made her seem far older than her years. Her hands moved with such practiced grace, a testament to a life lived close to the land.
No School, No Choice
Inside their humble home, the conversation flowed, and Abdu began to explain something that hit me hard. None of the 34 kids in the village of Tarzoub went to school. I saw the video later, but at that moment, I honestly wasn’t comprehending what that truly meant. “So, where do they go to school?” I asked, a bit naively. Tuda’s father then told us that not a single one of the children in their village had ever attended school. My first reaction was frustration, even anger. “What irresponsible parents!” I thought. “Don’t they care about their children’s future?”
We stepped back outside, and that’s when Abdu looked at me, his eyes full of understanding, and said, “Pablo, you don’t get it, do you? Look around you! There is no way out of here, only the Canyon.” He was right. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The narrow, deep canyon we had just spent two hours running through – it was their only path. It wasn’t that the parents didn’t want to send their kids to school; it was simply impossible. Too dangerous for children to go on their own. My initial judgment melted away, replaced by a deep sense of shame and then, a powerful urge to act.
It wasn’t a choice anymore, not for me, not for Abdu. We both felt an overwhelming obligation to do something. So, an idea sparked: we could use our running tours, our platform, to let other runners help. We shared this thought with Ahmad, and he, with incredible generosity, offered his land to build the school. Just like that, the project had begun. It was a moment of profound clarity, a true turning point for NomaTrails, showing us how our **best trail running vacations** could lead to real change.
By the fire.
That Night: A Community Rallies for Education
We arrived at 7 PM in Bou Tharar, completely exhausted from our journey, but the urgency of the situation fueled us. Even then, Abdu managed to organize a meeting that very night with important people from the town. We sat down, sharing our vision for the school, explaining how our community of runners could make a difference. The response was incredible.
Just two days later, Abdelatif Bousseta, a primary teacher and leader from a local non-profit organization, along with Ali Ait Hakkou, a respected local mountain guide, began the work of organizing the community. It was inspiring to see everyone come together. That happened only a couple of weeks ago, and we are now diligently setting up the structure to turn this whole project into a reality.
Our goal is simple: these kids deserve an education. We want them to be able to attend school in their village by next September. Imagine the opportunities that will open up for them, giving them the chance to choose any path they wish in life. Once the school is built, the Moroccan government will send a teacher. This isn’t just about running; it’s about connecting, exploring, and leaving a positive mark, a core value of NomaTrails and what makes our experiences truly the **best trail running vacations**.
