Our Story
Spearheaded by Eve Branson, the mission of The Eve Branson Foundation is to enrich the lives of people in the High Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Here's how we are making a positive impact every day thanks to the legacy left by our very special founder, Eve Branson.
1990s & 2000s
1990s
Our incredible story all began with a hot-air balloon adventure in Marrakech, led by Eve's son Richard.
1998
Richard prepares to circumnavigate the world in a giant hot air balloon, with Marrakech as the departure point.
Whilst the hot air balloon flight is delayed, Eve visits Morocco's High Atlas Mountains for the first time, where she comes across a valley that leads to a beautiful Kasbah.
Eve persuades Richard to buy the Kasbah on the promise that she will devote herself to improving the lives of Berber families in the surrounding villages.
2006
Following refurbishment and training for local people, Kasbah Tamadot opens its doors, employing 98% of its staff from the surrounding Berber villages.
Eve teaches knitting skills to girls from a nearby village and creates The Eve Branson Foundation with a pledge to develop training programmes.
2007
Eve and Richard attend Rock the Kasbah in Los Angeles, raising funds to build the foundation's very first craft centre.
2008
The first craft centre is built in the ancient Berber village of Tansghart.
2009
The Elders visit Eve's first craft centre and officially launch a tailoring and embroidery programme.
2010s & 2020s
From building three new water wells to opening Asni's first carpentry training centre, Eve worked tirelessly to support the villages surrounding Kasbah Tamadot.
2010
Staff and guests at Kasbah Tamadot help to raise funds for sewing machines and a dedicated teacher.
2011
Eve brings across a herd of cashmere goats in the hope of creating a breeding programme to support wool production.
2013
Eve hosts the first ever polo fundraiser in Marrakech, raising over £200,000 for community projects.
2014
More than 200 children are treated in a temporary dental clinic set up in partnership with The Dental Mavericks.
2015
Eve is awarded a Royal decoration by HRH Princess Lalla Joumala Allaoui for her services in Morocco.
2016
A new weaving centre is launched, preserving traditional techniques in handloom weaving.
2017
Eve opens a woodwork centres for young school-leavers with the aim of increasing vocational training in the valley, thanks to The Pat Hull Foundation.
2019
A third water well is constructed at Imi Oughlad, helping to bring precious water resource down from the snow-covered mountains above.
Fatima Imni, who first knitted with Eve, becomes supervisor of the new EBF Shop. Every handmade item sold helps artisans and their families.
2022
Each year, an incredible group of Virgin Atlantic adventurers climb Mount Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa. The climbers have helped to raised tens of thousands of pounds during the challenge and this year smashed their target to raise £25,000 for a new study centre in Asni.
2023
A selection of our beautifully handmade products feature at Kasbah Tamadot, helping to sustain livelihoods in the valley.
