We are Leslie, Ariel and Bella, three former Peace Corps Volunteers who had the immense privilege of living and serving in Ait Yahya, a small village in southeastern Morocco, between 2014 and 2020. Though we served at different times, we share a powerful bond: We all were lucky enough to meet and work closely with Hafida, a privilege that several other Peace Corps Volunteers had before us.

Hafida is more than a community leader—she is the heart of Ait Yahya. Born and raised in the village, Hafida has dedicated her life to creating opportunities for women and girls–to not only learn vocational skills but also build community outside of their homes. Her passion, determination, and fierce love for her community have impacted the lives of countless women, a grace she extended to us by welcoming both of us with open arms.

A trained seamstress, Hafida began teaching sewing classes at a local youth center. When the center closed, many would have stopped—but not Hafida. During Ariel's years in Ait Yahya, she and Hafida converted an open garage into a makeshift classroom, where Hafida continued bringing women together and teaching. That spark of resourcefulness grew into something incredible: Hafida lobbied the local municipality for resources and founded a women’s center that became a hub for learning and connection for young women in the village.

By the time Leslie arrived in Ait Yahya in 2017, Hafida had a new dream—one she shared with Leslie the very first time they met. She hoped to turn her classes into a source of income for women in the village. Together, Hafida and Leslie founded a women’s weaving and sewing cooperative. Hafida served as its founding executive director, guiding the group with the same grace, grit, and generosity that define everything she does. In 2018, it was Hafida who advocated for Bella’s placement in Ait Yahya—persuading Peace Corps staff to send another volunteer to the village so she could expand programming at a second women’s center nearby.

There is a reason every Peace Corps volunteer who passed through Ait Yahya wanted to work with Hafida. She’s a force of nature. Her smile is infectious, her laughter fills a room, and her care for others is boundless. She welcomed us not only as her colleagues but as family, giving us more than we can ever repay.

She has spent her life uplifting others, and today, Hafida needs our help.

In January 2025, Hafida was diagnosed with lymphoma and breast cancer. She has been courageously undergoing treatment and is now in her second round of chemotherapy. As anyone who has faced cancer knows, the emotional toll is immense—but the financial burden can be even more overwhelming. Hafida is struggling to afford the cost of treatment, which includes chemotherapy, radiation, and ongoing medication.

This GoFundMe campaign aims to raise money to help cover Hafida’s medical expenses. Every donation will go directly to her care, ensuring she can access the treatments she needs to keep fighting.

Supporting Hafida means supporting a woman who has poured herself into the wellbeing of others and has shown what one person can achieve when driven by love and purpose.

We are endlessly grateful to anyone who joins us in helping this remarkable woman. Hafida believed in us when we were far from home, and now we have the chance to show her just how much she means to us—and to all the lives she’s touched.

With love and thanks,

Leslie, Ariel, & Bella