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.
Fund Raising
Originally our plan was to put donors in touch with projects they could help but in recent years we have carried out our own fund-raising.
We are grateful to Island School in Hong Kong who have supported TrunkAid for many years. Bonita Leung, a student at Island School has been an important part of TrunkAid. Starting with a multimedia project some years ago she has taken the initiative to develop from 2 students to a group of 45 members involved in fund-raising. This is now being expanded to involve students from all over the world who wish to make a difference.
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.