The Estelle Trust was formed as a private charitable fund in 2004. After an initial period in which contributions were made to established aid agencies, in 2006 it started to fund and initiate specific aid projects in Zambia.
Zambia was selected as the main area for project-based aid for reasons of need and opportunity. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, horribly blighted by a very high incidence of HIV/AIDS and with a consequent large population of orphans. The political stability of Zambia provides the opportunity for a small organisation such as the Estelle Trust to develop projects in partnership with local charities, church groups and other community aid organisations.
The main areas of activity in Zambia are education and training of orphans, water aid to rural communities and vulnerable children, and microloans. To expan this work with orphans and vulnerable children, the Trust is developing a close relationship with Zambia Orphans of Aids. On a wider front, the Trust supports academic research into aid effectiveness and post-conflict resolution in Africa and elsewhere. It also contributes to arts and social development charities in the UK.
The administrative costs of the Estelle Trust are paid by the Ashgate Publishing Group which also joins in the funding of some of the Trust’s projects. Click on the Partners tab for information on the Trust’s main partners: Zambia Orphans of Aids, the MicroLoan Foundation, and the Africa Studies Department at the University of Bradford, Chapman Freeborn Aviation and the Ashgate Publishing Group.
