Friends of Ngong Road held gatherings in seven locations in September and early October to learn about and celebrate another year of transforming the lives of children served by our program in Nairobi.
Featured guests from Kenya: Naomi and Tunda
This year two of our staff members, Naomi Kamanda (head of the Secondary Department) and Tunda Lepore (head of the Primary Department) traveled to the U.S. and visited Minneapolis/St. Paul and Walker in MN; St. Ansgar and Decorah in IA; Chicago, IL; and Milwaukee and Hayward in WI to meet friends and supporters of Friends of Ngong Road. An eighth gathering, without our Kenya visitors, (but with a visit from Paula) will occur in Seattle, WA in November.
N
ew experiences and training
ew experiences and trainingNot only was this Naomi’s and Sunday’s first trip to the United States, it was also their first experience flying in an airplane. In addition to the time spent with Friends of Ngong Road friends at the Annual Gatherings, they worked with the U.S.-based board and volunteers to enhance their skills in child advising and counseling, technology, planning, operations, and development. We are thrilled at the willingness of our volunteers to assist our Kenyan staff in their ongoing growth and development for the benefit of the children in our program.
The program was an interactive dialog
As in past years, the Annual Gatherings included a formal program. This year featured an interactive dialogue between one of our board members and Naomi and Tunda, reflecting on their experience with the program in Nairobi as well as their own personal lives and educational journeys. In addition, friends gathered to show their support to the program and (in some locations) the opportunity to purchase handmade items created by mothers of some of the children in our program.
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