The roots of EDP Trust go back to co-founder David Lunan's time in Nigeria as a VSO teacher back in the early 1970's.
"I soon realised how many of the children had little or no access to any sort of education. In contrast, many of the children I taught in Southern England on my return to the UK had little regard for the educational opportunities afforded to them. It became evident to me that education was a right in the rich developed countries whilst in most of Africa it remained a coveted privilege."
It was in West Africa that he bought hand-crafted leather goods and sold these on the Portobello road in London. Over the years this fledgling business evolved into a successful family run wholesaling company importing accessories from different parts of the world culminating, with his brother Stuart, in the development of "Fiorelli" - now a leading brand in fashion accessories.
In consequence the EDP-Trust Founders wish to put something back into the regions where their business dealings have taken them over the years. With this objective the EDP-Trust has been launched.
Why these projects?
Realistically there is a limit to the scope of project involvement for a small charity such as The EDP-Trust. With this in mind it has been decided to focus on a project where there is a personal connection. The Ghana project has been selected as a result of local connections in north-west Hampshire in Southern England.