Place a stone in the river

“In 2014, I began a heartfelt conversation with Phoebe, a native of Siaya. Her stories about the challenging living and educational conditions in Siaya inspired me to start fundraising for underprivileged schoolchildren in Kenya. The first beneficiaries were Josephine and Hilary, whose school fees I managed to cover through successful fundraising efforts in the Netherlands. Witnessing their transformation from despair to optimism through their schooling at Nyasanda Community High School was profoundly rewarding.

This experience, akin to ‘moving a stone in the river’, led me to establish the Siaya Stichting. We now support 17 children, providing not only financial aid but also practical assistance such as study tables, solar lamps and bicycles to enhance their learning and living conditions. The project extends to a holiday school and a farm, which helps fund our initiatives and involves both children and teachers actively.

We maintain regular contact with the teachers in Kenya, ensuring that the children’s needs are met comprehensively. This close monitoring has resulted in impressive academic achievements among our students. Sponsoring a child is incredibly fulfilling, and I have had the pleasure of meeting my sponsored children several times.”

Gerard J.A. Huybens