TrunkAid Aims to
- support small, locally run community projects around the world
- promote specific projects rather than organisations
- make charities more accountable
Background
TrunkAid is a Hong Kong registered, non-profit making organisation. It was founded in 2006 by Andy Statham, a Hong Kong teacher, and his wife Jenny.
While visiting Sri Lanka shortly after the Asian tsunami we came across a variety of small, locally run projects which we felt were delivering aid far more effectively than most of the larger aid agencies.
On returning to Hong Kong we were contacted by numerous groups looking for advice on where to spend money they had raised. This led to the setting up of the TrunkAid website.
You can find more information by reading the about us page.
How it works
The website provides a place where:
- those running projects can publicise what they are doing.
- potential sponsors can find projects to suit their own needs and interests.
Where appropriate project organisers provide:
- details of costs to show on the website.
- feedback on how money has been spent
TrunkAid only gives details of projects in which the directors have been involved or that have been personally recommended.
Costs
The website is designed to do most of the work so TrunkAid has few costs. Sponsors can deal directly with project managers so that all money can go to where it is needed.
It’s not all about money
TrunkAid wants sponsors to be more aware of the people they are supporting rather than just giving money to charity.
Some of the projects TrunkAid promotes require support in the form of people rather than money. In some cases this may be in the form of unskilled labour while others require specific skills in a variety of fields such as teaching, building and physiotherapy.
Future plans
Some of the TrunkAid projects are particularly attractive to schools, providing a variety of opportunities for community service. With the growing number of schools moving to the International Baccalaureate system this is likely to be an area of growth in the future.
TrunkAid is keen to promote projects that encourage self-sufficiency as opposed to ones that require long-term funding.