This has been an exciting year for our organization as two major changes have taken place and we have crafted a strategic plan that will guide us through 2020. A lot of our programs are working.
I’m Working! It’s Working! We have seen the result of nine years of work as some of our oldest students finish their post-secondary education and get jobs. There is an article in the newsletter about our post-secondary program, describing how it will work and the results to date. We now have 94 students who have finished their primary and secondary education. All of our 2012 graduates are employed and more than half of our 2013 graduates are. With each newsletter, we will profile students who have completed their education and are now employed.
Karibu Loo. We have completed the pilot for Karibu Loo and have placed an order that will put us on the path of growing this business. We have been very pleased with the pilot results and believe the business has great potential to both provide income to support our educational mission and also to provide employment for many of our graduates. We will begin to grow the business in 2016.
Vision 2020. The Board of Directors held three strategic planning sessions in 2015 and has endorsed a 5-year strategic plan including three major initiatives:
1. Capacity building – moving to professional management from today’s volunteer organization in the U.S. and building management capacity in Kenya;
2. Financial sustainability – build Karibu Loo and the endowment fund to create a more enduring financial model for the organization;
3. Return to growth – the board has endorsed the objective of growing to 1000 students actively supported plus alumni by 2020.
As has happened in the past 9 years, there will be many changes and challenges in the coming years. However, with a clear strategy and the work of talented people, I feel optimistic we will be able to craft an enduring future for the organization. As always, sincere thanks for your support.
Paula Meyer
President, Friends of Ngong Road
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