Esjai and Abdel’s story began when they crossed paths during Esjai’s travels in her converted bus in Imi Ouaddar. After joining The Counselling Academy to assist with IT systems, Abdel and Esjai embarked on a shared journey, exploring Morocco together for five weeks. As they traveled across the country, seeing stunning landscapes and hidden gems, many of which Abdel had not seen before either, their connection deepened, and they discovered not only the beauty of Morocco but also their love for one another.
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Their travels eventually led them to the idea of The Berber Retreat and Abdel's job was to find the perfect venue. They moved in at the beginning of Ramadan and after three months of transforming it into a serene and welcoming space, they launched The Berber Retreat to offer healing retreats for individuals seeking self-care, healing and recovery from relationship challenges and trauma.
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Today, Esjai and Abdel work together as partners in both life and business. While Esjai manages the design of Retreats and bookings from abroad, Abdel oversees the daily operations of the retreat house. Together, they create life-changing experiences for their guests, blending Esjai’s creative expertise with Abdel’s passion for hospitality.