Opportunities for who needs it most
A Grand Gesture from Nordhorn: Duo NIHZ Donates Inventory
NORDHORN – In addition to the donation from KBS Jacinta (see our next news item), we received an overwhelming contribution from Kulturhaus Nordhorn in early March. Due to their emigration to Israel, Bobby Rootveld and Sanna van Elst, known as Duo NIHZ, have donated a significant portion of their extensive inventory to our foundation.
The scale of this gift is impressive and offers us countless opportunities to further expand our projects in Sierra Leone. In addition to a large quantity of practical goods and supplies, the donated items also include a drum kit and two organs. These special instruments provide a unique opportunity to take the first steps toward establishing music education within our project areas.
A Musical Legacy of Solidarity
As Bobby and Sanna begin their new chapter in Israel, they leave behind a beautiful legacy of solidarity in Europe. The variety of goods they have entrusted to us will make a difference on many fronts for local communities in Sierra Leone. We are incredibly grateful to Duo NIHZ for their immense generosity and their trust in the mission of Stichting GRO West Africa.
KBS Jacinta Breda provides a solid foundation for education!
BREDA – On March 6th, we collected a very special donation from the Catholic Primary School (KBS) Jacinta in Breda. The school said goodbye to a large amount of school furniture, but instead of disposing of it, these desks and chairs are being given a second life in West Africa.
Thanks to the generous gift from KBS Jacinta, Stichting GRO West Africa can take a major step forward in improving local learning environments. For many children in our project areas, having their own place at a sturdy desk is not a given. With this furniture, we are literally creating space to grow, learn, and dream.
From Breda to the Classroom
ransportation is currently being prepared to ensure the sets arrive safely at their new destination in Sierra Leone. We would like to thank the management, teachers, and students of KBS Jacinta for their involvement—and a special thanks to the caretaker (conciërge) for thinking of us. Together, we ensure that a good education begins with a proper place to work!
"A desk and a chair may seem simple, but for a child in West Africa, it represents a chance for a better future."
🌍 From Cassava to Concerts: Our impact in 2025 and our plans for 2026!
December 2025: Our first newsletter is out! Read it here.
ANBI status
Great news! We are proud to announce that, as of October 2025, we have obtained the official ANBI status (Public Benefit Organisation) from the Dutch Tax Authorities.
What does this mean for you as a donor?
From now on, donors in the Netherlands can deduct their gifts to our foundation—both periodic and one-off—from their taxable income, subject to conditions. This makes your support even more valuable for our work in West Africa. Two birds with one stone! You help us increase our impact, and you may benefit from a tax advantage.
We thank everyone who has supported our mission so far. This ANBI status is a recognition of our transparent and honest work.
Would you like to know more about the ANBI status and the tax benefits? Look here or contact us.
Update Policy Plan
On July 19, 2025, we published our updated policy plan. The focus has been sharpened, and the strategy is even more concentrated on agriculture as the driving force and engine behind our other projects in the fields of education, combating low literacy, and poverty. We have also decided to add support for basic healthcare and the provision of microcredits to the goals of the policy plan. Curious? The full policy plan can be found under the menu option 'policies'.
Extension of the Board
On June 22, 2025, we had our first board meeting with the new, complete board. We are super proud to share that Dr. Sheku Mansaray has been appointed Secretary and Jesse Willemze has been appointed Treasurer! Curious to know who we are? Head over to our Team page.
With this three-person board, the way is clear to apply for our ANBI status: the next milestone to make even more impact in West Africa!