Archives for March 2018

2018 is off to a very strong start for Karibu Loo, largely due to several significant long-term rentals and having the right people in place. We are optimistic 2018 will be the year the business starts to earn profits and will pay a dividend to Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (our sister organization in Kenya). Here are the highlights:

• $2,000 in profit in January: The portable sanitation business in the U.S. is primarily based upon long-term rentals. It is virtually impossible to build a successful portable sanitation business by only supplying to events. However, events have constituted most of our business to date in Kenya. Long-term rentals are an essential ingredient to profits as they ensure a steady stream of revenue to cover costs.

In January, Karibu Loo rented out 66 of 89 units for about 15 days to a unit of the British Army that is training the Kenyan Army and another 10 units to a Chinese construction firm for the entire month. In addition, we have weekend long-term rentals at several churches. Together, these long-term contracts plus normal event business generated just over $2,000 of profit in January.

• Issues. As always, there are issues to be overcome. The biggest challenge faced by the business today is that our truck has become very unreliable. The truck has served us very well on treacherous roads since 2014 but is increasingly prone to breakdowns. We have had to outsource the movement of loos and cleaning services when the truck was not functional, which cuts into our margins. We are building a new trailer that will be pulled by our pickup truck and can carry six loos.
  

A second challenge faced by the business is receivables. Recurrent issue in Kenya is resolving receivables, but ensuring timely payment from customers remains a challenge.. We have the right staff and board in place to improve upon this issue in 2018 and beyond.

• Growing the business. We are preparing to order a new truck, as frequent breakdowns have become a real impediment to the business. Meanwhile, we are evaluating the long-term potential for the British Army business and will decide whether to order more cabins and an additional exhauster in April. Our sales leader is young, energetic and is getting results, so we must have loos available for him to sell. The business aims to contribute to the charitable mission of educating children in 2018 and invest in growth.

If you are interested in supporting Karibu Loo with a donation to purchase the new truck and support business growth, please contact Development Director, Lacey Kraft, at lacey@ngongroad.org or 612-568-4211.

Paula Meyer
Founder and President

Friends of Ngong Road is in its twelfth operating year and for nearly a decade has held a summer camp outside of Nairobi. It is a chance for students to get out of the slums, enjoy their own beautiful country, learn about subjects not taught in traditional Kenyan schools such as sexual and reproductive health, have fun, and meet people like you!

Volunteers from the U.S. are invited to participate in camp by leading arts and crafts, discussion groups, education sessions, variety show acts, crazy games, and more! Whatever your niche or expertise is, we are likely to be able to find a place for you.

One volunteer will win a $1,000 travel grant to participate in camp! The application is due April 15. This grant is awarded to a candidate who can fully participate in the camp and be an advocate for the program when returning to the U.S.

Volunteering at camp gives you the chance to:

• Build deep relationships with students and staff. Most who travel to Kenya say that their favorite part is meeting the people. You’ll be eating, playing, and exploring with students, staff, and other local and U.S. volunteers. There will be tons of opportunities to get to know the students and staff and develop lifelong relationships. We’re sure you’ll say “the people” as your favorite memory too!
• Experience local customs, traditions, and culture. Food, games, songs, and more! You’ll be immersed in local culture and tradition throughout your trip.
• See the beauty of Kenya! The camp is located in Nanyuki, Kenya. You will fly into Nairobi and travel with the other volunteers to Moi Equator Girls Secondary School in Nanyuki where camp 2018 will be held. It is a beautiful part of Kenya near Mt. Kenya!
• Challenge yourself with an experience of a lifetime! You’ll be asked to participate by leading a session, playing games, chaperoning a field trip, engaging in normal camp routines like cleaning your dishes and keeping your bunk area tidy, and being a listening ear for students throughout camp – all needed roles at camp.

Camp 2018 Dates:

• Post-Secondary Camp: 8/6 to 8/8
• Leadership Camp: 8/8 to 8/11
• Grammar Camp (10-14-year-olds): 8/11 to  8/15
• Senior Camp (high school students): 8/16 to 8/22

It is preferred that the travel grant winner can participate in at least Leadership through Senior Camp, but if the full period is not doable with your schedule, Friend of Ngong Road is willing to have a conversation about travel dates.

Are you or someone you know interested?

• Click here to learn more and apply for the grant.
• Contact Development Director, Lacey Kraft, at lacey@ngongroad.org for more information.
• Submit your application to lacey@ngongroad.org by April 15.

You will be notified by May 1 so that you can arrange your travel plans for August!