RAC (Rise Above Circumstance) is a not-for-profit organisation based in Delft, Cape Town.  This organisation is the brainchild of Franchesca Abrahams, an unemployed Delft resident.  Franchesca recognised the need for such an organisation when she had an opportunity to attend the Women's Enrepreneurial Programme (WEP), sponsored by the World Bank, Department of Trade and Industry and ABSA Bank.  WEP is  directed at female small and micro entrepreneurs.

Through WEP, Franchesca became exposed to many networking organisations for women and registered as a member with one of these organisations viz. SAWEN (South African Women Entrepreneurs Network). This led to her realisation that although there were more than enough networking opportunities, there was nothing geared towards the many unemployed and unskilled people living in poorer communities like Delft.

After much research, which included meetings and discussions with several aspiring women entrepreneurs in the Delft area, it became clear that the women really needed education and training as much as access to capital if they were to launch and build successful businesses. For economically disadvantaged women with little or no formal business training, education is the essential ingredient to self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty.

Franchesca's vision was to create an inclusive organisation to help women and youth from any background and starting point to start and grow their own businesses.

In May 2005, at the first of many community meetings for women in Delft, Franchesca got the support of the Delft community for the idea of a skills development initiative where networking and skills transfer could take place. Out of this beginning has grown an initiative which brings additional income to the households of its members, and offers them and their families the hope of a better future.