In April 2022, Watson Farley & Williams’ (“WFW”) much-loved and greatly respected Singapore Partner Mehraab Nazir and his youngest son Zain tragically lost their lives in a landslide whilst trekking in the Blue Mountains in Australia. To honour his memory, WFW has been fundraising for Ripple Africa, a charity committed to promoting children’s education, a cause that Mehraab and his family were great supporters of.
Founded in 2003, Ripple Africa is a small, UK registered charity focussed on conservation, education and healthcare in northern Malawi, Africa. Its mission is to preserve and sustainably develop the environment; create opportunities for local communities; and to improve the standard of education and healthcare near its base in the Nkhata Bay District.
Through a range of fundraising initiatives, WFW has been raising money to build a new classroom block in the primary school in the village of Chiomba and support the running of the school for its first year. A lack of teachers and suitable buildings has resulted in enormous class sizes in Malawi and, with the majority of Malawians never receiving any secondary level education, a good primary education is vital.
With construction of the classroom complete, 105 Chiomba primary school children now benefit from having a better learning environment that includes a nutritious meal each day and, consequently, a better chance of achieving the grades they need to proceed to secondary school.
WFW Singapore Office Head Charles Viggers commented: “Mehraab was a dearly loved colleague across the whole of our international network and especially, of course, in Singapore where he was based for most of his WFW career. WFW Singapore has taken part in a number of different fundraising initiatives, the most successful of which was our month-long cycling challenge which saw us collectively cycle 1,195.57 KM. It has been a privilege to help Ripple Africa in Mehraab’s name”.
WFW Managing Partner Lindsey Keeble added: “Mehraab was such a kind and generous person, who cared deeply about making a difference to the lives of those lacking opportunity. I am certain he would be delighted with our partnership with Ripple Africa to help give children in Malawi a better education. I am proud that WFW is supporting this initiative and can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to our greatly missed and colleague and friend”.
CEO and founder Ripple Africa Geoff Furber said: “I would like to thank everyone who, in memory of your colleague Mehraab, has helped raise money to build the new classroom block at Chiomba. Our preschools are an important service that Ripple Africa provides for the local communities and the staff at Chiomba have worked at the school for many years, providing a valuable start for so many children. With WFW’s help this can now continue”.
You can support Ripple Africa here.
