Ouafaa Mhadi's remarkable journey from Casablanca to the UK is a testament to her resilience and adaptability, as she seamlessly navigated the worlds of academia, entrepreneurship, and cultural diplomacy. Through her diverse ventures, she has not only promoted Moroccan heritage abroad but also forged meaningful connections between Morocco and Britain. Wafaa El Mahdi ‹ › Ouafaa Mhadi did not expect that her journey abroad in the late 1990s would evolve into a path marked by transformation, blending academic training, entrepreneurship, social work, and cultural diplomacy. A native of Casablanca, she left Morocco in 1997, two years after finishing high school. Before emigrating, she worked at the Moulay Rachid municipality in the country's economic capital. Her first destination was the Netherlands, where she took her initial steps abroad. She later moved to France, where her mother lived, before returning to the Netherlands for several years. In 2006, she relocated to the United Kingdom, a move that marked a turning point in her personal and professional life. Speaking to Yabiladi, she recalled that her first major challenge in Britain was the language. «I spent about six months learning English, because mastering the language is essential to enter university», she said. She then pursued studies in interior design at the School of Fine Arts in London, a field she had long been passionate about, completing three years of training. After graduating, she began working in her field, but family responsibilities soon required her to reassess her priorities. «Because of my children, I could no longer continue in that field, as it required travel and weekend work», she explained. She then shifted to translation, a more flexible profession that allowed her to balance work and family life. She worked as a translator in courts, hospitals, and with civil society organizations, gaining both professional and humanitarian experience. Her role became particularly significant during the Syrian refugee crisis in the UK. «I helped them find housing, integrate into society, and access health and education services», she said. This experience deepened her commitment to social work, especially within Arab migrant communities. Returning to her first passion After years in translation, Ouafaa Mhadi returned to her initial passion and, in 2019, founded a company in interior design, with a focus on promoting Moroccan craftsmanship in the British market. However, the project faced major challenges. «I was working on importing and promoting Moroccan artisanal products, but the pandemic and Brexit had a major impact, and the business had to close», she said. Despite this setback, she remained active. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she intensified her community work. «I helped women victims of violence by providing translation and guiding them to specialized associations», she said, referring to her work within the association Darna, which she co-founded with her husband. Through the same initiative, she also focused on preserving language and cultural identity among children of Arab communities. «We organized Arabic classes on Saturdays for children of different nationalities, including Syrians, Egyptians, and Moroccans. When in-person activities stopped, we moved online», she explained. This experience led to the creation of the «Languages Nest» project, which later evolved into a multidisciplinary educational and cultural institution. It now offers online English courses for children and adults, certified translation services, support for studying and traveling to the UK, and the organization of cultural events, including festivals, concerts, camps, and institutional visits. Expanding to Morocco The institution's activities have since extended to Morocco, where it has partnered with organizations such as the Moroccan Judges Club and the OCP Group to organize summer camps, cultural trips, and online English training led by teachers based in the UK. Mhadi also launched a branch in Morocco, aiming to strengthen cultural exchange between the two countries. «We are working on projects that bring British students to discover Moroccan culture», she said. As part of her academic journey, she recently earned a master's degree in entrepreneurship in the UK, further reinforcing her business ambitions. She is currently developing the «Check in Bliss Morocco» project, designed to promote Moroccan tourism and culture while attracting British investors. In parallel, she founded the «Mobile Moroccan Spa» in the UK, offering wellness experiences inspired by traditional hammam rituals, with the aim of bringing Moroccan heritage to a wider audience through mobile services that combine authenticity and luxury. Mhadi is also a member of the Academy of Moroccan Women Worldwide, a network of prominent Moroccan women abroad, and serves as coordinator of the Independence Women's Organization in the UK. Reflecting on her journey, she said: «What we try to do is serve our country and build bridges between Morocco and Britain».
