A devastated mother has paid tribute to her ‘bright & talented’ daughter who drowned while on holiday celebrating her A-levels.
Afaf Ahmed, 18, was swept away by turbulent waters in the seaside resort of Scheveningen, The Hague, only a few weeks before starting her biomedical science studies at Liverpool University.
She had travelled to the Netherlands to celebrate passing her A-levels with her friends.
Her mother, Dr Abdelaziz, watched the tragedy unfold last August and has now set up in charity inspired by the last moment she saw Afaf alive.
The Coventry GP told Coventry Live: ‘She was a beautiful person, both inside and out.
‘I raised her as a single parent to be kind and brave and strong, and she was all of those things and more.
‘She was my best friend, my soulmate, and living without her is so hard.
‘She was a talented dancer, pianist, and guitarist. She was a beautiful singer and could hit all the high notes in the choir.
‘She touched so many people’s lives and cared so much for others.’
The 18-year-old had just passed her A-levels and was months away from taking up a place at Liverpool University to study biomedical sciences.
The aspiring dentist was a popular pupil and prefect at King Henry VIII school in Coventry.
The school have planted a tree on their grounds in honour of their ‘shining star’.
They added: ‘King Henry VIII School’s community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of its pupil Afaf Ahmed, and offers its heartfelt sympathy to her family.
‘We have no words for their unimaginable loss.
‘She was an extraordinarily gifted dancer, and she loved drama. She threw herself into the school’s productions.
‘She had lots of energy and a joy for life. A great friend who was always looking out for the wellbeing of others, and had a wide circle of friends.’
After grieving for her daughter, Dr Abdelaziz is now working to continue Afaf’s legacy.
The single parent 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.
‘I can not 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.’
The new charity, Afaf Above The Water, aims to helping orphans worldwide and construct clean water resources.
The charity will also be holding an emotional dance and performance evening at The Albany Theatre in Coventry on March 31.
Family, friends and staff at Pattison College, where Afaf studied as a younger child, will put on the show, featuring dozens of performances from dance schools across Coventry.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
