The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust was founded to build a lasting memorial to Victoria Climbie, and to ensure something positive comes out of the tragic circumstances surrounding her death. The trust hopes to realize Victoria's parents' vision of building a primary school in Abobo, an area of the Ivory Coast near to where Victoria was born. It is hoped the school will give local children the educational opportunities that the family believe Victoria could not have had if she stayed in the Ivory Coast. 

Currently, the nearest state school to Abobo is half a day's drive away and many children in the area do not receive any education as a result. Although, there is a small private school nearby, many cannot afford the fees.

In the wake of the Government's Children's Green Paper, Victoria's parents established the Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust, to commemorate the life of their daughter, and to build a school in the Ivory coast in her memory.

Victoria's mother Berthe has issued the following appeal: 

The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust Seven years ago a young girl called Victoria Adjo Climbie was murdered in this country after suffering the most horrific torture at the hands of her great Aunt and her great Aunt's boyfriend. Victoria's murder led to a major public inquiry chaired by Lord Laming.

Victoria was a very bright little girl and her parents sent her to live with her Aunt to get the education which was impossible in her village. 

Following the inquiry Victoria's parents set up a registered UK charity in her name with the single ambition of building a primary school in Victoria's home town of Abobo on the Ivory Coast.

At the moment the nearest school is at least half a day's walk away.

Having raised enough money for the building of a small school, the land has been secured and the first stone was laid in February of this year. Further monies now need to be raised to pay for the annual upkeep and running costs.

£1000 will pay the salary of a teacher for a year
£10,000 will pay for the running of the school for one year
£50,000 will pay for an extension to be built
£100,000 will pay for the school to be doubled in size

The more money that can be raised the bigger the school and the more children who will receive an education.

The school will be called - Centre D' Education Primaire Victoria Adjo Climbie.

In 2007 we raised £16,000 for the Charity and look forward to reporting on the benefits this money has brought to the project when we hold our 2008 Convention. 

The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust is a registered UK charity - Charity Number 1099695.

The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust - NEWS UPDATE:

The primary school building is now complete! A perimeter wall surrounds the site to keep it secure. There are 12 classrooms, sufficient for 360 children.
The school has a license from the Ivory Coast Government to allow education of children to begin in September 2008.

Your donations will help to ensure there are sufficient funds to run the school. The more money that is raised, the more children can be educated. It costs approximately £20,000 a year to run the school. The salary of a teacher is £1,000 per annum. 

The charity is delighted that the Yorkshire International Business Convention is supporting the charity again in 2008. Sir Bob Geldof is speaking in support of The Victoria Climbie Charitable Trust at this Convention.

Your support is vital to us. Together we can make a real difference to the lives of many vulnerable children in memory of Victoria Climbie. 

The Trust:

The VCCT was founded by Francis and Berthe Climbie, Victoria's parents.

Other Trustees are Mor Dioum and Caroline Ingram, long term supporters of the family. 

The Trust is a UK registered charity, number 1099695.

The Trust is working in partnership with ONEF, an NGO which specializes in the family, child protection and education projects in the Ivory Coast.

The Trust has close links with the NSPCC.

Read About The Victoria Climbie Charitable Fund
Read Updates About Victoria's Story
Timeline Of Events In Victoria's Short Life
Return To Victoria's story

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