Rare
Vrienden
Meet Selina
She had the ability. She needed the opportunity.
Selina comes from a family living in abject poverty. Despite achieving good academic results, financial barriers threatened to end her education—as they do for countless girls like her across Kilifi, Kenya.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty through Education for Kenyan Youth and Women
Our Results In Numbers
23 & 11
No of Girls in Highschool & University
€ 84,000
Total Amount Since 2024
101
Youth Beneficiaries From Skills Training
*fully funded 4-year education
*Approx Ksh 12.9 million
*Both Male and Female
Our Projects
From Education to Innovation.
Creating Opportunities That Last
We focus on two connected areas that help break the cycle of poverty
and empower women and youth to build better futures.
Education & Scholarship
Opening doors through education
We support young people from low income families to continue their education and pursue opportunities that can transform their futures
High School
Scholarships
University
Scholarships
Vocational Training
School Developement
Digital Education
& Tech
Education creates Opportunity, Innovation creates Sustainable livelihoods
Together, we help break the cycle of poverty
About Us
A Kenyan X Netherlands Partnership
From the Netherlands to Kenya,
Rare Vrienden Foundation is changing lives in Kilifi, Kenya.
Founded in 2024 by Eric Smaling and Jonathan Mativo, Rare Vrienden Foundation is a high-impact organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in Kilifi, Kenya. We empower marginalized communities through secondary and higher education scholarships, vocational skills training, and sustainable agriculture initiatives. By investing in women and youth, we build food security and create brighter, self-reliant futures. Your support turns hope into tangible change.
Spread across North Kilifi, Rare Vrienden works to bring hope, dignity, and opportunity to communities from every walk of life. Each point on the map marks a story—where a school was restored, poultry & coops empowered single mothers, or sustainable irrigation transformed village farms. From Jonathan’s office—our point zero—to every corner we reach, transparency and impact guide our mission. We invite you to explore, witness, and be part of the change.