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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...

First Published September 21, 2024 Jonathan explains the irrigation project's progress When we first envisioned our irrigation project in Rare, we saw potential. Today, that vision is thriving—thanks to the incredible work of local women and the dedication of our team, including Jonathan Mativo, our program lead here in Kenya. This project is more than just a vegetable farm. It’s a sustainable model that empowers women, feeds households, and funds itself. What We're Growing T

A few months ago, we proudly shared photos and videos from our sister NGO in Kenya showing young women learning painting and plastering techniques. Today, we’re thrilled to share the full story and impact of that project — and it’s better than we could have imagined. In the summer of 2024, 21 girls took part in our first Local Skills Project , focused on painting and surface preparation. Over 12 days, they learned everything from measuring and designing to sanding, mixing col

First Published on August 21, 2024 Eric, Chairman. There are so many bright, capable Kenyan girls who never make it to secondary school....