In loving memory of William (Will) Paskins, who died peacefully on 24th May 2021, aged 71.  Husband to Hilary; Dad to Ruth and Helen; Grandad to Eva and Louis; brother to Stephen and Diana. 

Will was born in Mtwara, Tanzania and spent a significant part of his life in Africa, firstly with the World Bank, funding and managing a number of infrastructure development projects across the continent.  More recently, for over a decade, Will developed opportunities in South Africa initially as CEO of TFMC and then as CEO of Rebserve a leading South African services provider.  

Will was a visionary leader, sharing skills to enable both business and personal empowerment as South Africa transformed its economy.  His passion was enablement.  The methods and means to create opportunities and develop the businesses and people around him. 

One of the projects that excited him that the family wish to encourage donations in Will's memory is Trade Aid UK Charitable Trust.  Trade Aid is based in Mikindani, Tanzania where Will lived for the first year of his life.  Will was particularly impressed with the work undertaken by Trade Aid and was keen to support their projects.

Working closely with the local community and directed by their needs, Trade Aid focus on vocational education, conservation and gender equality. This includes working with local people to encourage local business growth, offering business development insight as well as offering small grants.  Trade Aid also manages several smaller projects including a sponsorship scheme that provides girls with the opportunity to attend school for the first time.   Despite school being universal, poverty is a barrier to girls attending school. By supplying uniform and basic needs, Trade Aid enables young girls to attend school when otherwise they would not.

Trade Aid also provides tree saplings to all schools in Mikindani to encourage protection of the local environment. Trade Aid have helped renovate Haikata well and built the first water pump in Mitengo village.