Madonna has reportedly set up a trust fund to provide for Mercy, the girl she’d hoped to adopt from Malawi.

Madonna’s request to adopt the three year old girl was turned down by a court in the African country last month and the case is currently under appeal. However, the star is said to have realised that she wants to provide for Mercy, who she first met in 2006, whether the girl is living with her or if she remains in Malawi.

A source told the News of the World: “Madonna loves Mercy. She wants to be part of her life and provide for her.”

The trust will pay for the girl’s schooling and will provide money to allow the girl to travel outside of Malawi when she is old enough: “She wants to make sure Mercy has everything she needs in life and her dreams are fulfilled.”

Mercy’s biological father, who abandoned her teenage mother when she was pregnant, is bidding for custody of the girl. Mercy’s remaining family and Madonna’s legal team have questioned his motives for coming forward at this point. The source added the trust fund is set up in such a way that he would not be able to access the money even if he gains full custody of the girl.