We are Jos and Marijke and we have founded Stichting Zaare in order to help widows and their children in the Upper East of Ghana. The aim of our foundation has three parts: living, working and learning.
Widows have received our special attention because, in this culture, women who become widows are often blamed for their partner's death. This makes them (and their children) particularly vulnerable. By offering support with housing, employment and education, they become independent and can rebuild their lives.
Living
The foundation wants to give the widows and their children in the Upper East a good home. A complete home costs 1000 - 1500 euro. Take a look at the pictures.
Working
We also help widows to learn and to practice a profession. So they can take care of themselves and their children and generate an income. Widows can learn a profession for about 200 euro. Take a look at the pictures.
Learning
At last we give children the opportunity for education. So they can get a better life and future. One school year costs about 75 euro. Take a look at the pictures.
In 2026 we want to help 10 families (re)building their houses
In 2026 we want to support 65 widows in their education and work
In 2026 we want to support 20 children in their education
Do you want to support one of our projects? You can transfer money to our bankaccount
BIC: TRIONL2U NL68TRIO0390274240
Foundation Zaare
If you prefer one of the projects, please tell us in the description when you transfer the money.
Thanks to you, the widows and their children can have a positive future.
Thanks a lot!
We have regularly one-to-one contact with the people in Zaare who signal and execute the local needs. Doing so, we know that each and every donated Euro is well spent. The expenses are well below 10%. Nobody of the volunteers gets paid for the work.
Zaare
We call our foundation Zaare, because the meaning of the word Zaare in the language Frafra is welcome. People around Bolgatanga in the Upper East of Ghana speak Frafra. Zaare is also a little place northwest of Bolgatanga. Our foundation support widows in the surroundings of Bolgatanga. On the map you can see the position of Zaare. Zoom out and you will see more of Ghana.
We received the nice message that widow Akeno is very happy with her new home, paid by the Zaare foundation
Donations
The local newspaper published a nice article about the recent fundings
Collecte 2025
During the week of October 20th-25th, we went door-to-door again to collect donations. The proceeds amounted to €1,280!
Thank you for that. We've already committed to supporting five young people in the so-called "secondary school."
See how corruption impacts widows in the Upper East region of Ghana.
We also thank all the companies, who are supporting us.
