Opportunities for who needs it most
Annual Report 2025: Building a Strong Foundation!
We are proud to present the very first (extended) annual report of Stichting GRO West Africa. Since our launch on September 12, 2024, we have been working tirelessly behind the scenes on our mission: creating opportunities for underprivileged children and adults in West Africa. The past year and a half has been all about building a solid foundation, expanding our network, and taking concrete steps in the fields of sustainable agriculture, libraries, and education.
Thanks to the vital support of our community and partners, we have carried out substantial work in Nigeria and Sierra Leone throughout 2024 and 2025.
Our Impact at a Glance (2024-2025):
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Sustainable Agriculture: We supported local agricultural projects in Sierra Leone (Matogo: cultivating rice and peanuts) and Nigeria (Itele: growing cassava, plantain, and palm oil). We also gained valuable experience running a snail farm and initiated research into fish farming. Farming serves as the core engine for local self-sufficiency and employment.
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Education & Libraries: We forged our initial blueprints for educational projects, with a special tribute to music education in memory of Theo Willemze. In addition, we established close relationships with organizations like Biblionef to collect reading materials for school and district libraries across Sierra Leone.
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A Strong Network: By participating in events such as the Partin Day and the Wilde Ganzen Sierra Leone Day, we significantly expanded our network. We also officially joined the industry organization Partin, expanded our board, and updated our articles of association to secure our Dutch ANBI (Public Benefit Organization) tax status.
Financial Accountability
Transparency is at the heart of everything we do. In the period ending December 31, 2025, we received a total of €3,208 in donations and gifts. Since many of our operational overheads (such as setup costs and website hosting) were covered by in-kind donations, our total expenditures amounted to €2,761. The positive net result of €447 will be carried forward entirely as a reserve earmarked for our upcoming field projects. Our board members operate on a strictly voluntary basis and receive no remuneration. Read the full report here.
Looking Ahead: Continuing to Build
Moving forward into the next period, our main strategic focus will be on:
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Scaling Up Agriculture: Professionalizing crop production and exploring agroforestry and reforestation initiatives with a social spin-off.
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The Second Shipping Container: Dispatching a 40-foot container packed with educational and reading materials, alongside goods for in-kind microcredits designed to empower underprivileged adults to start their own small businesses.
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Basic Healthcare: Exploring opportunities to set up basic medical facilities, with a specific focus on maternal care for pregnant women within our agricultural communities.
GRO West Africa Joins the International RSEN Network of the SEWF
Great news for GRO West Africa! We are proud to announce that our organization has officially joined the Rural Social Enterprise Network (RSEN), a prominent network of the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF).
This membership marks a significant milestone and serves as official international recognition of our ongoing dedication to strengthening social entrepreneurship across rural areas in West Africa.
What is RSEN / SEWF?
The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) is the leading global platform for social enterprises. The RSEN (Rural Social Enterprise Network) specifically focuses on organizations operating in rural and remote regions. Especially in areas where traditional markets often fall short, social enterprises play a crucial role in creating jobs, boosting economic resilience, and protecting the environment.
Building Global Impact Together
By becoming part of this global network, GRO West Africa opens the door to intensive international collaboration: we will share knowledge and best practices, build strong partnerships, and ensure our voice is heard on a global stage.
An Economy for People and Planet
At GRO West Africa, we believe that the future of business is social. Together with the RSEN network, we will continue to build and innovate towards an inclusive economy that works for both people and the planet.
We would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank the SEWF for their welcome. In addition, our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who supports us on this journey. This milestone is one we achieved together!
In Memoriam: Dr. Sheku Kemoh Mansaray (1975 – 2026)
LEIDEN, April 2026
A bridge between worlds, the embodiment of humility
It is with profound sadness that we share the sudden passing of our dear friend and secretary, Dr. Sheku Kemoh Mansaray. His departure is a tremendous shock to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
Sheku was an academic luminary with a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, an MSc in Economics and Management, and a BA in Political Science, driven by a deep passion for the development of West Africa.
Yet, he was so much more than his impressive titles. He was the crucial bridge between the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. He had the unique gift of translating complex issues in sustainability and economics into simple, human solutions.
Despite his great achievements, we will remember him foremost as a beacon of humility. He was always there for everyone and never sought the spotlight for his own status, but always to help others move forward.
In Sheku, we lose a brilliant mind, a loyal friend, and a beautiful soul. Our thoughts go out to his family in the Netherlands and Sierra Leone. We will continue his work in his spirit: with knowledge, connection, and humility.
Rest in peace, dear Sheku. Thank you for everything you meant to us and to Africa.
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!