Archives for July 2019

The board of our sister organization in Kenya, Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), has dramatically strengthened its support and involvement over the last few years. The board in Kenya meets every other month to provide oversight and governance to the program and plays a direct role in helping graduates secure jobs by deploying their personal and professional networks. They additionally give of their time and energy by volunteering at camp, the Life Skills Program, and other special events. The Ngong Road Children’s Foundation Board of Directors includes:

Patrick Kyalo. Patrick joined the NRCF board in April 2019. Patrick holds a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from the Kenya Institute of Management, and certificates in public relations, counselling and project management. He is currently undertaking a Masters of Science in Human Resources Management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology.

Patrick has experience managing human resource programs and strengthening organization systems in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. He is currently working at Christian Health Association of Kenya. He has previously worked with Amref Health Africa (Kenya), OXFAM Great Britain (Kenya, South Sudan, and DRC), and Intrahealth International through the USAID Capacity Kenya Project (Kenya).

Patrick’s main focus as an NRCF board member is human capital development and management and NGO capacity support. He provides advisory and policy guidance on human resources and institutional compliance matters. He is also interested in talent development and management, partnerships with potential training institutions, and employment services for graduates.

Patrick is motivated to volunteer for NRCF as he is inspired by the vision and mission of NRCF and because he wants to give back to society by making the children and other stakeholders feel worthy, loved, and dignified. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is in the service of others.’’

Robert Murimi. In 2016, Robert became a member of NRCF board, and in January 2019, the board elected him as its chair.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing and Strategic Management from the United States International University – San Diego Campus (California, U.S.), and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Option) from the United States International University – Nairobi Campus (Nairobi, Kenya).

Robert is currently working as Chief Trainer/Lead Consultant at Impact Change Ltd. and has been there since 2009. He previously worked as an Associate Consultant (Business and Marketing) at Consultants for Effective Training Ltd., Marketing Director at Alfagen Furnishers Ltd., Marketing and Operations Manager at Art Ltd., and Area Manager (Eastern Division) at Gestetner Ltd.

In his service to NRCF as board chair, Robert focuses on program implementation, and policy development, and leads the board to ensure strategic plans are successfully implemented and objectives achieved. Robert engages in alumni, youth leadership, mentorship, aiding grade 8-12 students with goal-setting, studying methods, and exam support.

Robert’s motivation stems from the desire to positively touch people’s lives, particularly focusing on the younger generation. He is excited when their lives are transformed through programs with which he is involved.

Catherine Naliaka. Catherine joined the NRCF board in April 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education, a Master of Science in Maternal and Child Health, a Master of Arts in Child Development, a Diploma in Human Resources, a Diploma in Counseling, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Child and Youth Development.

Catherine brings extensive experience in program development and NGO management having worked with Compassion International, Kenya since January 2000 where she has served in many roles. Currently, she serves in the Global Compassion International Office in Survival and Early Childhood.

Prior to joining Compassion, Catherine was a Lecturer at Kenya Polytechnic University College and worked as a Research Fellow for the University of Nairobi on a number of research projects.

In her role on the NRCF board, Catherine supports child management and compliance issue. She also participates in providing NGO capacity, ensuring NRCF goals met while safeguarding children’s interests, actively participating in their achievement.

Catherine is married to James Ondeng’ and they are parents to Immanuel, 23 years old. She and her husband serve in their local church. she loves to serve as a part-time nanny in an HIV/AIDS children’s orphan home. Her dedication to aiding underprivileged kids impacted by HIV/AIDS drives her commitment to collaborate with NRCF.

Judy Nyaga. Judy joined the NRCF board in 2018. She has 18 years of legal and corporate governance experience in the banking industry and is currently the Regional Head for Subsidiary Governance in Africa & Middle East for Standard Chartered Bank. In this role, Judy is responsible for driving high standards of corporate governance across Standard Chartered Bank’s subsidiaries in the Africa & Middle East regions.

Judy holds an Honors Degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and a Post-Graduate Degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Nottingham. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Strathmore Business School in Nairobi. She is a Certified Public Secretary and has passed the examinations required for registration as a Certified Public Accountant. Judy is also a 2015 Eisenhower Fellow.

Judy, NRCF board member, fervently aids in steering and pushing the management, ensuring steadfast achievement of organizational goals. With a legal and corporate governance background, Judy offers valuable insights to the board for overseeing legal and governance risks.

Additionally, she created a book club with some of the NRCF upper-primary school girls. The book club empowers girls to learn life lessons, improve oratory skills, and boost confidence by sharing stories before peers.

NRCF’s vision is supporting the education of underprivileged children impacted by HIV/AIDs. This resonates greatly with Judy because she knows the difference a good education has made in her own life. Serving on the board and mentoring girls through the book club enables Judy in a small way to contribute to the education and well-being of vulnerable children.

Anupa Sanghrajka. Anupa joined the NRCF board in 2018. She is a chartered accountant by profession and holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Management. Currently, she is working in a family business based in Nairobi dealing with building products and interiors and property development. Previously, Anupa worked for KPMG in London in the Financial Audit and Advisory Department.

Anupa ensures NRCF’s financial controls align with best practices, maintaining robust processes as a dedicated board member.

She participates in monthly financial review meetings to understand the financials and provide support where required. Growing up in Kenya, Anupa has always aspired to participate in organizations that create an impact on the less fortunate.

Believing education ensures lasting impact, she’s drawn to NRCF for its commitment to sustainability and impactful learning. Anupa’s aim is also to transfer the business skills learned in the corporate world to NRCF.

Aruna Varsani. Aruna joined the NRCF board in April 2019. She is currently the Director of Montessori Plus Center Kindergarten and College in Nairobi and has been a part of Amref Health Africa and the Nairobi Cooking Club.

Aruna received her training in Early Childhood Teaching and Care from Gems School of Management and Montessori Plus Center.

On the NRCF board, Aruna focuses on of education programming part of the organization. She provides policy guidelines and recommendations on how to maximize the education opportunity NRCF is offering the sponsored children. Aruna also helps review project reports and policies.

She finds motivation in volunteering for NRCF, as working for and aiding the needy has always brought her immense pleasure. Seeing people deprived of facilities and resources due to poverty really motivated her to help care for others. Her interest is mainly in children’s education.

She aims to ensure that all children receive equal rights in education and can sustain themselves in the future.