Mohamed Dekkak and Orchid Island Support the Malaika Center Alongside Wali Farid Chourak
How the INDH, the Malaika Center, and Orchid Island are working to advance education, care, and inclusion for children with Down syndrome in Marrakech.
Orchid Island
Editorial team
4 min read
As part of the 20th anniversary of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), Mohamed Dekkak, founder and Chairman of Orchid Island Real Estate, accepted an official invitation from His Excellency Farid Chourak, Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region and Governor of the Prefecture of Marrakech, on May 21, 2025.
The visit centered on the Malaika Center, which supports children with Down syndrome. The project reflects the INDH's commitment to human development and to practical, dignified support for vulnerable communities.
A National Reference for Specialized Care
The Malaika Association founded the center with support from the Lions Club Marrakech. Created to serve underprivileged children, it has developed over the past eleven years into a national reference for individualized care for children with Down syndrome.
Its model brings specialized services together in one setting, giving children and their families access to sustained educational, therapeutic, and social support.
Recognizing Excellence in Social Inclusion
During the visit, Mr. Dekkak expressed his admiration for the center's work in rehabilitation, education, vocational training, and social inclusion. He also recognized the governance model supported by the INDH, describing its combination of humanity, rigor, and long-term impact.
The center demonstrates how public institutions, civil society, and private organizations can produce meaningful change when their resources and expertise are aligned.
Public-Private Collaboration for Inclusive Development
Cooperation between the public and private sectors can expand inclusive development and improve daily life. Partnerships of this kind help build stronger communities in which more people can access education, training, and the opportunity to participate fully in society.
The involvement of Orchid Island reflects the role that private organizations can play alongside institutions and associations already working on the ground.
An Innovative Project for Children With Down Syndrome
Located in Daoudiate, the Malaika Center is led by the Malaika Association with active support from the Lions Club and the INDH. Since opening more than a decade ago, it has become a national model for supporting children with Down syndrome, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Its work is designed around individual needs while also helping families navigate the educational and social challenges their children may encounter.
Comprehensive Support for Nearly 140 Children
The center welcomes nearly 140 children each year and provides:
- Adapted schooling
- Speech and language therapy
- Psychomotor therapy
- Educational and recreational activities
- Vocational training in baking and cooking
Its mission extends beyond schooling. The center also aims to prepare children for future employment, greater autonomy, and independent living wherever possible.
A Humanist Vision and Corporate Responsibility
Mr. Dekkak accepted the Wali's invitation as an opportunity to contribute to an important social cause. Through this engagement, he reaffirmed Orchid Island's core values by connecting sustainable real estate development with meaningful civic responsibility.
He stated, “True progress is not only about economic growth. Rather, it is measured by how we include and uplift every member of society.”
For Orchid Island, responsible corporate citizenship means applying organizational experience and long-term commitment to initiatives that can generate durable social value.
Strategic Support for Sustainable Change
By working with the Malaika Association under the guidance of the INDH, Orchid Island plans to provide strategic support in areas including:
- Territorial governance
- Socio-economic integration
- Human skills development
This partnership forms part of a broader vision for an inclusive society in which every person has a genuine opportunity to thrive.
INDH as a Driver of Social Development
Since its launch in 2005 under King Mohammed VI, the INDH has played a major role in supporting vulnerable populations, particularly people with disabilities.
Its support for the Malaika Center illustrates how coordinated public action can help create dignified, practical, and lasting solutions. The model combines local knowledge with institutional capacity and consistent program delivery.
Growing Cooperation Across Sectors
The participation of private-sector organizations such as Orchid Island signals a broader shift toward collaboration. Government, civil society, and businesses are increasingly working together to advance solidarity, social innovation, and human development.
This cooperation can extend the reach of established programs while introducing additional capabilities, resources, and professional expertise.
Expanding the Center's Impact Across Marrakech
The Malaika Association plans to open a second center in the Ennakhil district. With support from the INDH and new partners such as Orchid Island, the expansion is intended to respond to rising demand.
His Excellency Farid Chourak also pledged full institutional support, including funding, infrastructure improvements, and program enhancements. These commitments are intended to help the initiative remain sustainable as it grows.
A New Era of Corporate Citizenship
The partnership represents an important development in how Moroccan companies understand their place in society. For Orchid Island, supporting the Malaika Center is a natural extension of a vision that combines entrepreneurial ambition with human values.
The goal is not simply to participate in a single event, but to contribute to a fairer and more inclusive future through consistent, well-structured cooperation.
