The Heart Behind Rare Friends

First Published on August 21, 2024

Eric, Chairman.

There are so many bright, capable Kenyan girls who never make it to secondary school. Not because they lack the drive or talent — but because their mothers simply can’t afford the school fees. Many have lost one or both parents. Fathers are often absent. These girls have names. They have dreams. And their stories stay with you once you’ve heard them.

They stayed with us — the three founders and board members of the Rare Friends Foundation.

All three of us have lived and worked in Kenya. It’s a country we love deeply. Each of us began by sponsoring one girl through school. Then we invited our friends and circles to do the same. One sponsorship turned into many. Some of these girls earned their diplomas, and a few even made it to university.

Jet-se, Secretary.

As time passed, we began to dream bigger. We realized we couldn’t stop with school fees alone. So we widened our focus to include vulnerable women — mothers, sisters, grandmothers — working hard with very little. Using irrigation water from the Rare River (which also inspired our name), these women grow vegetables and sell them to local schools. It’s a small but powerful way to earn their own money and help their communities at the same time.

Now, we’re developing a Skills Centre, where girls and young women can learn hands-on trades like painting, carpentry, tailoring, plumbing, and more. Skills that don’t just change their own lives, but ripple outward — to families, villages, and generations.

Tineke, Treasurer.

Establishing the Rare Friends Foundation and formalizing our efforts with our trusted partners in Kenya was the natural next step. It’s our way of saying: we see you, we believe in you, and we’re in this together.

Thanks to our ANBI status, donations are tax-deductible in the Netherlands. And with Triodos Bank helping us oversee the financial flow, we’re committed to full transparency and trust.

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