Before getting into the actual blog, today was a really hands-on day. I started my morning at 7 packing up my suitcases with all the stuff I’ve bought so far before heading down for breakfast and getting on the bus. We then went to the women’s cooperative, where we got a quick lesson on its history before making our own leather goods. Honestly, it reminded me a lot of woodworking, especially the way we used templates and tried to conserve as much material as possible while cutting. Using the heavy-duty scissors to cut through the hide was tougher than it looked. I ended up making a pouch that required three separate pieces, which we taped together first and then trimmed, before hole-punching around the edges and stitching it all together by hand with needle and thread. Finally adding the button and seeing the finished product was really satisfying. It felt great working with my hands again, and it honestly gave me a much better appreciation for how much time and effort goes into every handmade product. After lunch, we got back on the bus and made the long drive back to Rabat. I’m glad to be back with my host family, and it’s honestly crazy to think we’re already over halfway through this trip. It’s been amazing so far, and I’m excited to see what the rest of it brings.

Today really made me think about where money actually goes when you buy something. Both the women’s cooperative and Anou are built around helping artisans get fairer pay for their work rather than letting middlemen take most of the profit. They both focus on preserving traditional Moroccan craftsmanship while also trying to modernize the way products are sold. What stood out to me was how both organizations use connection and storytelling as part of their business model. They are not just selling rugs, pottery, or handmade goods, they are selling the history, time, and people behind them. The biggest similarity is that both try to return power back to the artisans themselves, especially women who may otherwise have limited economic opportunities.

At the same time, the souks and cooperatives feel completely different as a consumer experience. In the souks, everything is built around negotiation, competition, and tourism. Prices can change depending on who you are, how well you bargain, or even how interested you look in the product. There is excitement in that process, and honestly it can be really fun. The markets feel alive, chaotic, loud, and personal. On the other hand, the women’s cooperative felt far more transparent and structured. The pricing was clearer, and there was a stronger emphasis on showing exactly who made the product and how the money supports the artisans. It felt less like trying to “win” a deal and more like supporting a community directly.

As a consumer, I think I prefer the cooperative model overall, even though I enjoyed the energy of the souks. The souks are an experience I will always remember because of the bargaining, the crowds, and the atmosphere, but the cooperative made me feel more confident about where my money was going. After hearing how little many artisans traditionally receive compared to how much products sell for, it became harder not to think about who actually benefits from a purchase. Buying from the cooperative felt more ethical and personal because I could directly connect the product to the people who made it. At the same time, I do not think one can fully replace the other. The souks are part of the culture and identity of Morocco, while cooperatives like Anou are trying to reshape the system to make it fairer for the artisans within it.