Diaspo #42 : Oussama Wahid, a role model for Moroccan-Italian youngsters

Oussama left Morocco, his native country, when he was only five years old. With his two sisters, he moved to Cueneo in the Piemonte region, in Italy. Once in the country, Oussama quickly figured how to integrate. He learned the local language and made new friends.

His first failure in life was also in Italy when he was unable to graduate high school. Trying his best not to give up, the young man enrolled in a technical school and got his diploma shortly after that in industrial mechatronics. Oussama tried again to get his high school diploma but failed and fell into despair.

But that was only for a short period. One day, an offer made to him changed his life. «I was asked to volunteer», Oussama told Yabiladi. He accepted without a second thought. Oussama became an animator who accompanies young children with disabilities. The young Moroccan-Italian told Yabiladi that this experience has given a new meaning to his life.

Setting a good example

His dedication earned him the attention of his superiors at the Eniap (vocational training center), where he studied and served as a volunteer. As soon as his job there was done, the center offered him to continue the adventure with them, but this time as a teacher.

For over three years, 24-year-old Oussama has been teaching automotive mechatronics to young teenagers. For him it became a duty. He wants to set an example for young people who felt lost and desperate. «Here we are not at home, so it's even harder for us. We are discriminated against and when we manage to succeed it does not please others», says Oussama.

As an optimistic man, Oussama Wahid's ambitions do not stop there. Although he had difficulties graduating high school twice, he wishes to continue his new career as a teacher.