Climbie parents launch appeal for cash to build school in her memory

The parents of Victoria Climbie formally launched a charitable
trust in honour of their daughter this week to raise money to build
a school in memory of their daughter back in her home country of
the Ivory Coast, writes Clare Jerrom.

Berthe and Francis Climbie  have established the Victoria
Climbie Charitable Trust to commemorate the child’s life, and
to build the primary school in their home town of Abobo for 150
children aged between six and 12.

“Every night we hope and pray that our vision of building
a school in the Ivory Coast will be realised so that we know
Victoria didn’t die in vain,” said Berthe,
Victoria’s mother, who was tearful during the press
conference about the launch of the trust.

Currently the nearest state school to their home town of Abobo
is half a day’s drive away and many of the local parents
cannot pay for their children to attend the small private school
nearby. As a result many children lack any kind of education.

The school, which will be called ‘Centre D Education
Primaire Victoria Adjo Climbie’, will cost around
£200,000 to build and £50,000 will pay for five years
running costs.

Land for the school has been secured, and a group of qualified
teachers have already agreed to teach and manage the school.

Victoria died in February 2000 after enduring months of abuse at
the hands of her great aunt Marie-Therese Kouao and her boyfriend
Carl Manning. The child came to live in England with her aunt
because her parents hoped she would get a better education.

For further information visit www.victoriaadjoclimbie.org.uk