When the earthquake struck on September 8, 2023, our world changed in an instant. Houses collapsed. Roads were blocked by fallen rocks. The mountain villages of the High Atlas were cut off from the outside world.

Heavy machinery was sent to clear the roads. Rescue teams worked day and night to reach us. But the mountains don’t give up their paths easily, and it took time — time we didn’t have.

So what did we do? We turned to our most trusted companions: our donkeys.

The Heroes We Already Had

For generations, donkeys have been part of life in the Atlas Mountains. They carry our goods to market. They help us farm the steep terraces. They know every path, every shortcut, every safe crossing.

When the earthquake came, they became our lifeline.

Villagers loaded donkeys with supplies and sent them up trails that no vehicle could reach. Families used donkeys to carry the injured to safety. When we needed to move rubble, donkeys helped us clear paths stone by stone.

Al Jazeera captured this beautifully in their photo essay: In midst of Morocco earthquake chaos, surprising heroes: Villagers’ donkeys

More Than Beasts of Burden

In those dark days, our donkeys became more than work animals. They became symbols of our resilience. Families who lost everything made sure to tie their donkeys safely and feed them first. Because we knew: if we took care of them, they would take care of us.

This is the spirit of the Berber people. When the roads are blocked, we find another way. When the world cannot reach us, we help each other. And yes — we never forget our donkeys.

Our Valley Today

More than two years have passed since that terrible night. Our community has rebuilt. Our homestay reopened in December 2025. The roads are clear again.

But the donkeys are still here, walking the same paths they’ve walked for centuries. And when guests visit us now, they often meet these gentle animals on the trails — the unsung heroes who helped save our valley.

If you’d like to experience life in the Atlas Mountains — and maybe meet a few of our four-legged friends — we’d be honored to welcome you.