New Mentoring Program Off To a Strong Start
Children everywhere need to see successful role models, but perhaps no children need role models more than Kenyan children living in poverty who have lost parents due to HIV/AIDS. To further fill in the critical gap of being able to see successful Kenyan role models in their lives Ngong Road Children Association has launched a new pilot Mentoring Program. Under the leadership of Peter Ndungu and Leah Mwangi, 22 Kenyan volunteers have agreed to participate to date. In April, eleven high school students met with their mentors for the first time to great success!
A Stable, Supportive Presence and a Chance to Give Back
Mentoring for the Ngong Road Children Association gives everyday Kenyans an opportunity to invest in young lives with a gift of time. After being carefully vetted by our Kenyan program staff, mentors agree to meet with individual children at least once during each school break in April, August, and December. Meetings may consist of visiting the mentor's work, eating in a restaurant, or participating in a family activity—from playing in a park to spending the day at the mentor's home.
To arrange for a meeting with the child, mentors exchange email address and phone contacts with our program coordinators, who then share brief information about the child. After the visit, the students complete a summary of his or her time with the mentor describing the experience, what they learned, what they would like to do next time, and anything else they would like to know.
The Importance of Building Shared Experiences
Sponsored children feel loved from afar through the letters and the support of Friend of Ngong Road. However, there's an ongoing
Mentors and Students
need for the children in our program to see successful Kenyans in their everyday lives. We feel our students can benefit immensely from mentorship — even change their attitude towards life — especially during the pivotal high school years. Eleven children met with their mentors during the April vacation, and it was quickly apparent that the rewards go both ways; mentors and their families who met with the children are looking forward to the next visit in August. Friendships are already starting to develop!
Mr. Emmanuel Gatimu is so thrilled with the program, he agreed to mentor four children including Jerald Waithaka, Margaret Wambui, Asaph Njogu, and Sheila Muhonja. Mr. Gatimu and the kids spent time together at the NRCA library.
Ringera Mbui is mentor to Winnie Anyango and James Kyalo, who both reported that they like the idea of having a mentor and are looking forward to learning a lot from Mr. Mbui.
Lilian Nyabuto met her mentor, Isaac Ngugi, and his family in April. Lilian says that the experience was new and that she learned a lot.
Esther Wangari spent an exciting day with mentor Joseph Wanjohi and his two daughters.
Thank you to all our new Kenyan mentors, including Mentorship Committee members Robert Murigi, Joseph Wanjohi, Isaac Ngugi, and Bakari Kea. By the end of 2011, we expect the Mentoring Program to grow from the current 22 mentors to 42 mentors serving all of our Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Please contact Leah at info@ngongroad.org if you'd like to learn more
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