Waste No Talent supports talented girls through their main years of secondary education with funding, mentoring and attention. Waste No Talent is an education program serving young girls that demonstrate strong academic merit and leadership potential and who would otherwise be unable to start or continue their education after the initial primary or secondary school years.
Waste No Talent funds the full educational costs for one talented girl to successfully complete all years of junior and/or senior high school.
Waste No Talent ensures each girl is supported through an on-the-ground mentoring programme by local partners from our global personal network
Waste No Talent Kenya follows and stimulates each girl with an individual mentor contract to see each girl through the full period of junior and senior high school.
A scholarship gives peace of mind to a girl in boarding school. No fear of missing terms because her family cannot afford to pay the school fee. No risk of dropping out. But full focus on completing her high school education
A scholarship will open the school gate to a talented underprivileged girl, but it is mentorship, leadership development, life skills, exposure, guidance, and attention that help a young person walk confidently through it.
Waste No Talent funds these amounts for girls to successfully participate and graduate from her secondary education.
Education beyond primary school or junior high school is fee-based, and many scholars do not continue due to financial need. There is societal pressure to get married or join the workforce to alleviate or contribute to family finances, cutting off their long-term potential to create change for themselves, their families and their communities. A talented girl being able to attend a well performing high school has to pay as much as Euro 1000 each year to complete her education.
Waste No Talent funds these amounts for girls to successfully participate and graduate from her secondary education.
Money is important. But local mentoring – with the help from our local Partners – is key. Our scholars participate in mentorship programs, leadership development workshops, personal growth training, community engagement initiatives, and career exploration opportunities. They learn how to communicate effectively, think critically, solve problems, collaborate with others, and lead with integrity. We recognize that true transformation happens when a young person is equipped not only with qualifications, but also with confidence, skills, networks, resilience, and purpose.
Waste No Talent ensures each girl is supported through a mentoring programme by local partners from our global personal network
Support is what everyone needs. Attention is what makes anyone flourish. In addition to the support programme from our network, we offer an individual coach – local or international, depending on each individual girl’s interest. Supported with our coaching methodology, we focus on nourishing individual qualities. And see early warning signs of dropping out or concerns for individual safety or well-being.
Waste No Talent Kenya follows and stimulates each talented girl with an individual coach contract to see each girl through the entire secondary school period.
Maureen Andwati, now a valued member of our board, grew up in Nairobi with her parents and younger brother. In the late 1980s, her mother began working for Hans’ family — a connection that would change Maureen’s life. Moved by her academic promise, Hans and his wife chose to fund Maureen’s education.
Maureen excelled, earning a place at Pagani Girls High School, one of Kenya’s top national schools — an opportunity her family could never have afforded alone. She went on to graduate with distinction from the University of Nairobi, then completed a specialization in NGO management at Webster University in the Netherlands.
The first in her family to earn a university degree, Maureen turned support into achievement — and achievement into purpose.
It all started with Maureen. Now, together, we’re helping more talented girls to follow in her footsteps.
Education, women and girls
A Waste No Talent scholarship is never just money for fees and books. It’s a hand held through every step of a student’s journey — coaching, mentoring, and belief in what she can become. But our resources are limited, and every seat matters. So how do we choose?
We start close to home — working hand-in-hand with local implementation partners who know these communities, these schools, these girls.
Together, we look for three things:
We believe a community's future is built on its children's education. Our scholarships go to bright, determined kids whose only barrier to finishing school is a fee their parents simply can't pay.
Losing a gifted student because the money ran out isn't just unfortunate — it's a waste of talent we refuse to accept. We look for girls capable of thriving in strong, challenging schools.
We ask for more because we give more. We look for girls who show up — in clubs, in their communities, in the willingness
Our goal is to give talented girls their full 6-year secondary education – one-by-one.
Do you support us?
Waste No Talent Kenya is dedicated to maintaining complete transparency in our operations and programme reporting. Annually, our financial statements will undergo an audit conducted by an independent accountant to guarantee accountability.
Furthermore, we pledge to uphold the regulations and guidelines set forth by CBF, the governing body for Dutch foundations. We are actively in the process of pursuing their official quality mark to further validate our commitment.
In addition, we have successfully applied for the so-called ANBI status with the Dutch tax authorities, which provides our sponsors with tax benefits linked to their donations.
About us
The board of Waste No Talent Kenya consist of a diverse group of individuals, including both Dutch and Kenyan nationals. Each board member possesses a wealth of experience gained from their careers in government, health as well as public and private organizations.
They will share their expertise and time to guarantee that the foundation can provide support for an increasing number of talented girls as they navigate the pivotal period of national secondary education. We hold a strong conviction that talented girls should be given the opportunity to thrive, and we are committed to ensuring that “no talent goes to waste”.
The board does not receive any compensation for their time dedicated to the activities of the foundation. Board members have agreed to act in accordance with the rules and regulations set by the Dutch independent authority that oversees the workings of recognized nonprofit organizations.
Hans Nieman
Founder and chairman
Jeroen van Seeters
Vice-chairman
Maureen Andwati
Secretary
Judith Peereboom
Treasurer
Sanne Nieman
Director
