We left a piece of our hearts there. Students visit orphanage in Morocco

Students took a life changing trip to Morocco where they visited babies in orphanages, delivered food to street homeless and gave sports equipment away to deprived young people.

The team of Sport and Uniformed Services students from Cambridge Regional College spent eight days in Morocco to support the international charity – Open Hands Morocco.

Rob Metcalfe, Head of Programme for Sport and Uniformed Services at CRC, who has supported the charity with student trips for nine years, said: “Once you have been on this volunteering trip to Morocco you leave a piece of your heart there.

“The students all come back with a new appreciation of the struggles of others which puts into perspective gripes of their day to day lives like poor wifi connection or not being able to afford the latest trainers.

“They see the hardship, see the work ethic, and it changes their perspective on everything.

“It is really good for young people to see another side of life, for them to show compassion, and have commitment to helping others who so badly need it. I am very proud of them all.

“It is an emotional trip but also a hugely rewarding and positive one.”

A team of 26 students and three staff spent time in the Marrakech area. They also visited surrounding villages and took a tour into the mountains.

They visited an orphanage and schools.

At one setting they got involved in a renovation project by painting and planting.

They learnt how to cook traditional Moroccan food and how to gather water.

Before travelling to Morocco the students organised a host of fund raising projects to support the charity, including sports tournaments and fitness challenges.

Rob said: “I’ve seen youngsters in Morocco who nine years seemed to have no hope. Thanks to the Open Hands charity they are now thriving.

“It is humbling to watch our CRC students be a part of that.”