Our Blog

In the daily rhythm of managing community programs, tracking milestones, and aligning project logistics, it is easy to look at community development through the lens of spreadsheets and strategy. But every so often, a single moment arrives that collapses the distance between administrative efforts and human lives, reminding us deeply of why we do this work. Lilian's letter to Jonathan Recently, our Project Lead in Kilifi, Jonathan Mativo, received a handwritten letter from on

At the Rare Vrienden Foundation, we are often credited with changing lives through our education programs. But if you pull back the curtain on any of our success stories, you will find a much simpler truth: we don’t create the miracles. We just back the fiercely dedicated local heroes who do. At Sokoke Primary School, that hero is Madam Rehema, the Deputy Headteacher. Deputy Headteacher Rehema For years, Madam Rehema watched two young girls, Amina and Emmaculate, dominate the

Mixology & Hospitality Training At Rare Vrienden Foundation, empowerment does not end when a beneficiary completes a course. Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to host a Mixology & Hospitality Training event at the Rare Vrienden compound in Kilifi. The training itself was independently organized and facilitated by the hosting company and is not affiliated with Rare Vrienden Foundation. However, we saw it as a valuable opportunity for our beneficiaries — especially the

At the heart of our Empowered Women in Poultry Farming program in Kilifi are women who refuse to settle for survival when growth is possible. Women who remind us that transformation does not always begin with large investments — sometimes, it begins with commitment, discipline, and the willingness to act. One such woman is Anette. March, before the workshop. Anette received her batch of poultry later than most of the women in the program, but from the moment she joined, she s

At the coast, food is more than a meal—it is culture, opportunity, and survival. In Kilifi, the Friends of River Rare Foundation recently hosted a one-week Culinary Arts refresher program for boys from a previous cooking cohort, combining practical kitchen skills with life lessons aimed at preparing them for the realities of work and self-reliance. The refresher came after concerns raised by some of the participants following their graduation and certification. While they had

08/04/2026 was a day defined not just by achievement, but by transformation. The event began with a brief but meaningful gathering, where the different vocational cohorts were introduced—Tiling, Painting, Aluminium Fabrication, and Culinary Arts (Cooking). Each group represented months of discipline, learning, and persistence. What stood before us was not just a collection of trainees, but individuals ready to step into the workforce with real, practical skills. Then came the

These important activities were not routine. It was personal. We opened our doors to the girls during their school holidays—not just to check report cards, but to truly sit with them, listen, and understand where they are in life. Compulsory review of results We looked at their results together, spoke about their challenges, and celebrated their wins. And the truth is, many of them are rising—performing exceptionally well despite the odds stacked against them. There were powe

Over the past two weeks, the Rare Vrienden Poultry Program continued its field engagement across beneficiary sites, focusing on strengthening implementation, monitoring progress, and reinforcing practical livestock management skills among participating women groups. Day 1: Field Inspection Across Poultry Compounds The team, led by the Chairman Eric alongside program staff, conducted a full round of five poultry compounds that had not been visited during the previous Kilifi vi

At Binti Kilimo, our poultry project under the Friends of River Rare initiative is more than just incubating chicks, it is about incubating opportunity . Through hands-on training, our farmers are gaining practical poultry farming skills that are now turning into real income. Each chick hatched represents knowledge applied, livelihoods strengthened, and dignity restored within our community.

In just three months, our new Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer, Sandra , has become a cornerstone of our success. This video captures her in action, patrolling the compound and ensuring our poultry projects meet the highest standards of health and safety. Sadra’s meticulous oversight of vaccination protocols and cleanliness has been a game-changer for our project's viability. By maintaining these rigorous standards, she ensures that the chickens distributed to local wom

Breaking Gender Stereotypes in Construction Many girls who join GalFundi have faced school dropout, early pregnancy, or limited employment opportunities. Traditionally, their options were restricted to low-paying informal work. Few imagined they could become professional painters. Today, they are trained in: Surface preparation and finishing Mixing and applying different types of paint Decorative and protective coatings Clean, high-quality interior and exterior painting Clima

How Young Women Are Earning Through Tile Installation in Kilifi In Kilifi County, construction sites have traditionally been seen as spaces for men. Tile installation, in particular, has always been viewed as a technical trade meant for male artisans. But today, young women trained by GalFundi are changing that narrative, and earning from it. Many of the girls who join GalFundi come from vulnerable backgrounds. Some dropped out of school due to early pregnancies. Others face

Led by Project Officer Margaret Safari , our team worked tirelessly to plant, water, and nurture the farm. Their effort produced over 1,000 kg of watermelons , earning about Ksh 35,000 from the first harvest. Another round is already growing strong. This project is part of our mission to empower women and youth in Kenya through education, skills, and sustainable farming . Each watermelon tells a story of hard work, hope, and independence. The Journey of Growth Every seed pla

First Published on October 10, 2024 We’re thrilled to announce that — thanks to your donations — enough funds have now been transferred to fully support the "Doors and Windows" Local Skills project just as planned by our partner on the ground, Jonathan Mativo . This means everything needed — from materials and tools to protective gear — is now in place to run the project exactly as it was envisioned. The training is officially moving forward! Meet Riziki In the latest video

First Published on October 2, 2024 Exciting news from the field! We just received a video update from Jonathan Mativo showing that the very first aluminum frame has already been installed in a real home—on just day 2 of practical training ! It’s an inspiring milestone for this group of young women, proving that with the right opportunity, learning can turn into real-world impact—fast. GalFundi project in session. Milestone achieved. Safety First Even more encouraging: prope

Published on September 25, 2024 They couldn’t be stopped. The budget was still wet. The funding? Still incomplete. But just like painting, you can always begin with step one. And so, that’s exactly what they did—starting with the basics: how to take accurate measurements and understand the dimensions required for doors, windows, and frames. Over the past few days, we’ve received a series of vibrant photos from a determined group of 20 women and girls, full of energy and hope

First Published on July 4, 2024 At Rare Friends, one of the core pillars of our mission is to empower girls through education. Every scholarship, every donation, and every bit of encouragement is an investment in the future of a girl with potential—and there’s no better example of that than Goldalyn Sidi . Sidi and Mativo during enrollement. Goldalyn is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Community Health at the Technical University of Mombasa . Her journey to univer

First Published on October 19, 2024 At Friends of River Rare , we believe in the transformative power of skills training—and today, that belief was on full display. Our aluminium fabrication trainees, now in their fourth week, have made astonishing progress. What they accomplished in just an hour and a half proves that with the right tools, support, and opportunity, young women can not only match—but exceed—industry standards. These windows, crafted by hand, are not prototype

First Published on September 21, 2024 Jonathan and Eric discuss the spinach Standing in a modest vegetable garden just inland from Kilifi, Jonathan—our field coordinator—gestures proudly at rows of lush green spinach. It's healthy, vibrant, and nearly free of pests or disease. That’s not just good news for agriculture. It’s life-changing for the local community . According to Jonathan, “Just three spinach leaves sell for 20 Kenyan shillings at the market. A small garden bed l

First Published on September 21, 2024 Eric explains the foundation's work in Dutch "I’m standing here by the Indian Ocean.That sounds...