We empower Nairobi children living in poverty to transform their lives through education and support, leading to employment.
Thank you to everyone who made Giving Tuesday 2017 a success! Your support helps people like Winnie’s mother no longer have to choose between education and food for their children. There are still matching funds available before the end of the year! Double your impact and transform lives through education at https://ngongroad.org/donate
This year’s Annual Gathering, themed “Ready, Willing & Able”, was held at Surly Brewery on Monday, November 13. It was a huge success thanks to the many who came to hear an update on the program, and the success of the students, and meet Maureen Mulievi, Ngong Road Children’s Foundation Program Director who was visiting from Nairobi.
Paula Meyer, Friends of Ngong Road Founder and President, highlighted the success of the first ten years of the organization that is proven through the organization’s own data. After post-secondary education, 91% of students find employment or internships, moving towards full-time work.
Kenya’s employment rate is around 60%, while first-time young adult workers face just 15% employment opportunity. Paula noted that this organization is “Ready” to continue transforming lives going forward.
Maureen Mulievi, Program Director in Kenya, then shared about her background growing up in rural Kenya in a large family. Her father was a teacher and farmer and believed in educating girls. At the time, the popular belief in the rural community was that educating a girl was a wasted investment as the girl would marry young and only enhance the new spouse’s family, not her own.
Finally, Evan and Meghan Feige, young professionals from the Twin Cities, talked about their experience launching a pilot life skills program in Kenya In January 2017. They plan to return to Kenya in January 2018 to launch a comprehensive life skills program for all secondary students and recent graduates with the support of Rotary International.
As always, the gathering was a reminder that the mission of transforming lives is only possible because of the committed and diverse community of people who care about providing access to education for children who otherwise would not have a chance.
If you did not get to attend the event, we invite you to listen to the Illumini Podcast produced by longtime volunteer, Steve Kotvis.
Steve has interviewed Paula and Maureen and intends to release a third interview with the Feiges. This will provide individuals who were unable to attend the Annual Gathering with a more comprehensive understanding of the discussions.
Listening is fun for anyone, whether they are new to or already familiar with the organization. Go ahead and check it out!
World Toilet Day/World Portable Sanitation Day was November 19, and to celebrate the occasion, the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) put on a 5k Urgent Run fun run/walk in Minneapolis that benefitted Karibu Loo! In 2015, we established Karibu Loo as our portable sanitation business in Nairobi. Our mission was clear: to provide income to the non-profit, create job opportunities for graduates, and enhance sanitation in Kenya.
PSAI promotes global access to clean sanitation, aiding portable sanitation firms. It envisions a world with safe facilities for all.
On a cold November morning, participants held The Urgent Run at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. Several Karibu Loo supporters, including Mike Switzer, the founding manager of Karibu Loo, showed up to test out their running skills in the portable sanitation competition.
Mike won the Urgent Run by breaking the finish line made appropriately of toilet paper. Mike was presented with a medal and Karibu Loo was presented with a check for just under $4,000.
PSAI has been a supportive partner, resource, and cheerleader as we continue working to make Karibu Loo a success in Kenya. In August 2018, PSAI members aimed to bolster support, meet Nairobi’s Karibu Loo, its staff, students, and Kenya’s wildlife.
Thank you, PSAI, for all of your support!