The Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Trust Registered Charity Number : 1081151
The Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Trust began its work in 1969; it is now the longest running chimpanzee rehabilitation project in Africa.
The work began with Stella Marsden (nee Brewer) and a small group of confiscated orphaned chimps, the hard work and dedication of Stella meant she spent several years living in Mount Asserick with the chimps to ensure their safe return to the wild, however in the early 1970s the difficult decision to move the chimps to the Gambian National Park was taken due to the wild chimps already living at Mount Asserick.
Since then the work of the trust has developed, there are now 81 chimpanzees living and thriving in the safe, free environment conserved by the trust through animal adoptions.
In addition to this the trust has worked closely with the surrounding villages, responding to local needs and providing community projects that have enhanced the lives of the people in the area.
The trust has rebuilt the local school and through a School Sponsorship Scheme run from the UK provides 300 local children with an education. Incorporated into their curriculum is Conservation Education giving the adults of the future a strong pride and belief in their environment and all the wildlife that inhabit the park.
The trust has built a clinic for the local people and employs a nurse to run and administer medical care to the eight villages surrounding the National Park.
The trust works closely with the Horse and Donkey Sanctuary that aims to reduce rural poverty by providing working horses and donkeys to farmers and educating them in animal welfare to ensure the health and productivity of the horses.
There are now almost 40 local people directly employed by the trust bringing in employment and training opportunities that never existed before.
Funding the Trust has always been difficult and it has never received a regular fund but has attempted to bring in its own income through the adoption scheme and school sponsorship scheme.
There are no paid administrators so donors can be assured that all their money goes directly to the animals and children that need it most.
