Gayle Williams

Gayle Williams (18 December 1973 – 20 October 2008) was an aid worker for SERVE Afghanistan of joint British and South African nationality. She was shot on her way to work in Kabul, Afghanistan by two men on a motorbike. Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, claimed responsibility for her death and said she had been killed "because she was working for an organization which was preaching Christianity in Afghanistan".

Education and early career Williams was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and raised in Empangeni, KwaZulu Natal. Her mother took her to live in Middlesbrough, England during her secondary school years, after which she went back to South Africa to study biokinetics and occupational therapy at the University of Zululand. Afterward, she returned to London to work with disabled and deprived children. working with disabled children, blind and deaf children, and children hurt and maimed by landmines and fighting in the country.

Responses to her death On 20 October 2008, Williams was shot, at close range, while walking on a quiet street in Kabul.

Mike Lythe, head of Serve Afghanistan, said, "This is a tragedy... She knew the dangers, but Afghanistan is where she wanted to be."

Following Williams' funeral, her mother and sister met President Hamid Karzai who wished to express his condolences.

The family arranged a memorial service in London the week after. They asked for no flowers but for donations to be sent for the welfare of deprived Afghan children.

A "prayer walk" for Williams' family and colleagues was arranged for 8 November 2008 in London, stopping to pray outside embassies of countries where Christian believers face persecution.

The Centre for Safety and Development, which gives training to avoid attacks on humanitarian workers, notes that Williams trustfully walked the same route to work each day, and advises workers with NGOs to take more precautions.