Empowering girls through continuous education support in Kenya and beyond
Get in TouchTo create new generations of female secondary-school graduates that positively empower their local communities
Live in a world where every girl who wants to study can do so safely and effectively
Happy, safe and empowered girls
Paula Cristina Foundation provides continuous education support to girls in Kenya. Our scholarships are guaranteed through graduation or adulthood—not one-time relief, but long-term commitment. Success means girls graduate from secondary school. We grow carefully, maintaining strong relationships with partner schools.
Three core programs supporting girls' education
Long-term scholarships that cover the gap between what families can provide and what students need to stay in school. Each scholarship is guaranteed through graduation or adulthood, providing stability and commitment. This approach ensures girls can focus on their education without interruption.
Access to essential health services and hygiene resources that enable girls to attend school consistently. This includes sanitary products, vaccinations, and reproductive health education—addressing barriers that often prevent girls from completing their education.
Temporary support for students during emergencies. Ensuring continuity of education even in challenging circumstances, helping students stay on track toward graduation.
Voluntary leadership committed to girls' education
Resident neurosurgeon and researcher in neuroscience at Stanford University, USA. Co-founder of the non-profit ElMaMa Kindergarten in Watamu, Kenya.
Ex-Google engineer and startup founder who left the tech world to focus on education. Angel investor in education startups and co-founder of the non-profit Lisbon Data Science Academy.
Programmer, data scientist, data engineer, and IT educator. Has worked as a data scientist and software engineer with some of the most successful names in the European startup scene. Co-founder at the non-profit Lisbon Data Science Academy.
All board members serve on a voluntary basis without remuneration, dedicating their time and expertise to advancing girls' education.
Legal details and governance structure
Official name: Stichting Paula Cristina Foundation
Date of incorporation: 2 May 2025
KVK number: 97177857
RSIN/ANBI number: To be assigned upon ANBI approval
Registered address: Nieuwe Rijn 10-A, 2312 JB Leiden, Netherlands
Contact email: hello [at] paulacristinafoundation [dot] org
Directors: Elisabeth Heynold MD, Pedro Fonseca, Samuel Hopkins
Governance structure: The Foundation has three directors with equal voting power. All directors participate in strategic decisions and oversight of the Foundation's activities.
Remuneration policy: Board members are not remunerated and work on a voluntary basis. All directors serve without compensation, dedicating their time and expertise to advancing the Foundation's mission.
Foundation Objectives: The Foundation supports, funds, and facilitates access to pre-primary, primary, secondary, technical and higher education, with a particular – but not exclusive – focus on girls. Activities include but are not limited to educational institutions in Kenya, and may be carried out in any country worldwide. The Foundation may provide assistance with basic needs, health services, hygiene, safe housing, food security, and other welfare measures, to the extent that such assistance enhances or enables access to education.
Public Benefit: At least 90% of the Foundation's activities serve public benefit purposes. The Foundation operates exclusively for charitable and educational objectives as defined in Dutch tax law.
Main Activities: The Foundation accomplishes its objectives by:
Asset Management & Dissolution: The Foundation is non-profit and does not seek to generate profits. Funds are raised through donations and grants, and are managed efficiently to maximize educational impact. In case of dissolution, all remaining assets will be directed to a similar ANBI-recognized educational organization with comparable objectives.
As a newly incorporated foundation (2025), initial programs will commence in 2026 following the establishment of partnerships with schools and local implementing organizations in Kenya. The Foundation is currently in the preparatory phase, developing operational frameworks, vetting partner schools, and establishing criteria for scholarship recipients.
Once operational, the Foundation will provide multi-year scholarships to female students, prioritizing those who would otherwise be unable to complete their education. Detailed activities reports and impact metrics will be published annually starting with the first full year of operations.
The Foundation maintains transparent financial records in accordance with Dutch accounting standards. Annual financial statements, including balance sheets, income and expenditure statements, and explanatory notes, will be published on this website within 6 months of each fiscal year end, as required by Dutch ANBI regulations.
Financial reports will include detailed breakdowns of income sources, program expenditures, administrative costs, and fund allocations, ensuring full transparency for donors, beneficiaries, and regulatory authorities.
Ready to support girls' education? We'd love to hear from you
hello [at] paulacristinafoundation [dot] org
For partnerships, questions, or to learn more about our work, please reach out to us.