A prospective University of Liverpool student died whilst on a holiday with her mother celebrating the completion of her A-Level exams.
Afaf Ahmed, 18, who was set to begin her studies at the University of Liverpool in September 2024, tragically had her life cut short whilst on a holiday in the Netherlands with her mother, Dr Hanan Abdelaziz.
The prospective student drowned in choppy waters whilst swimming in the seaside resort Scheveningen, The Hague, near the popular tourist attraction Zuidelijik Havenhoofd.
Afaf has been described as “a shining star” and “bright, beautiful and talented” following her passing.
The trip to the Netherlands in August 2024 was organised by her mum, Dr Hanan Abdelaziz, the Coventry Telegraph reports.
Having just finished her education at King Henry VIII School in Coventry, the pair travelled to the South Holland region to celebrate the completion of her end of year exams.
Afaf was only a month away from beginning her biomedical degree at the University of Liverpool. She intended to complete her undergraduate studies and train to become a dentist.
Staff who taught Afaf at her former school described her as “a shining star”.
She took on the role of school prefect, and was deemed to be a role model to younger students there. The school have since planted a memorial tree on the grounds in her honour.
Her mother, Dr Hanan Abdelaziz, a GP in the local area, described her daughter as “beautiful, bright and talented”. She recalled Afaf’s love for music and dance and how “she loved to help children”, and would teach them dance for free.
“She was a talented dancer, pianist, and guitarist” her mother said.
“She was a beautiful singer and could hit all the high notes in the choir. She loved to help children, she even taught dance for free. She touched so many people’s lives and cared so much for others”.
As a single parent, Hanan has been placed in the harrowing position of losing her only child. She described life following her daughter’s death as “so hard”.
“She was my best friend, my soulmate, and living without her is so hard”.
In memory of her daughter, Hanan set up a charity named Afaf Above The Water in December 2024, with the intention to help people in Coventry, her hometown, and the wider world.
She said: “I’m determined to keep her memory alive, to tell the world about who she was, and to celebrate the wonderful person she was”.
Internationally, the charity will work with other organisations and governments to provide health education and clean water resources to areas without safe drinking water.
They will also provide essential everyday items to people in need and offer financial aid to struggling parents.
Afaf Above The Water also aims to work with Coventry City Council to keep their local area clean and welcoming. The charity will also extend voluntary services to those suffering with cancer and chronic illness, and offer company to isolated older people.
“I always taught my daughter to be a strong woman, a good human being and to be resilient,” her mother said.
“I cannot let her down. I have to try and be all the things she was. I am so very, very sad but I’m so proud of the woman Afaf was turning into”.
In honour of Afaf, a memorial event is set to take place at the Albany Theatre in Coventry on March 31st, which will feature performances from students of a a local dance school, and dozens of other young people across the area.
Her mother is also due to perform on the night.
Featured images via Coventry Telegraph.
