Archives for March 2020

My Sponsorship Story

By: Barbara Scharf

I was first introduced to Friends of Ngong Road (FoNR) when Lacey Kraft, Development Director, came to share the FoNR story at a networking meeting in my office at Tamar Fink, a Minneapolis-based financial services firm. I was especially excited when I heard about the mission of providing “education and support for Nairobi children living in poverty whose families are affected by HIV/AIDS so they can transform their lives.” At the end of the meeting I walked up to Lacey and asked “How can I help?”

After a follow-up conversation with Lacey, I decided sponsorship was right for me. I wanted to support and encourage Kimberley’s education and give her the opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. I picked Kimberley because I have two adult sons and wanted to sponsor a girl, and because she was wearing pink (my favorite color). Kimberley was 12 years old when I became her sponsor. She lives with her mother in the N’gando area of the Dagoretti Slum, where FoNR works. Kimberley’s mom is not permanently employed and depends on informal labor opportunities such as washing other people’s clothes. Her income is not enough to cover daily expenses. They, at times, have to forego some basic needs due to lack of money. 

Kimberley and her mother stay in a single room house that is made of iron sheets and timber and does not have running water. The house has electricity which does allow Kimberley to study at night. They use charcoal or a kerosene stove to cook their meals, and Kimberley sleeps on a sofa in the corner of the house. They have a small radio set where they get their news and entertainment.

Since I started sponsoring Kimberley, she has joined Jagiet Academy and wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Kimberley and I email every month and share stories of my family and her school. I enjoy learning about the culture of Kenya as well as Kimberley’s favorite school subjects. Kimberley’s enthusiasm for her school work shows in her school numbers. I feel like I have gained a third child in Nairobi named Kimberley! I am so proud of the work Kimberley is doing and look forward to my next letter from her.

How can you get involved? Do what I did, go to the FoNR website: ngongroad.org/sponsor and select a child to sponsor. The staff are also willing to help match you to a student if you prefer. Your sponsorship of $100/month pays for a student to attend school and with a new uniform, shoes and school supplies.

Sponsorship has been a joy-filled experience for me. I know it will be for you too. 

Friends of Ngong Road was humbled to receive a generous gift from Maydene McDonald’s estate after her passing at the end of 2019. Maydene learned about the organization through her late sister, Beth, who was a relative of Kurt and Paula Meyer. Paula is Friends of Ngong Road’s Founder and President.

On occasion, Paula and Kurt would host Beth, Beth’s husband, Derwood, and Maydene to their home in Iowa for holidays. Their Iowa home is nicknamed “Tranquility” as it is a very tranquil, welcoming place known for hosting guests. Beth and Maydene were among the regular guests, but little did Paula know that they picked up on the opportunity to transform a child’s life through the stories Paula shared about Friends of Ngong Road.

The gift came as a reminder that we never know when, where, or for whom the mission of Friends of Ngong Road will matter. We must keep telling the story so that people like Beth and Maydene have the opportunity to leave a beautiful legacy as they did. Thank you, Maydene and Beth.

If you are considering a planned gift to Friends of Ngong Road, we’d love to talk to you. There are many planning options and giving areas that can be considered. We would love to hear why you care about Friends of Ngong Road and learn your intentions so that your legacy and wishes are ensured.

The Friends of Ngong Road Ambassador Program is a new, exciting volunteer program. Ambassadors help spread the word of the organization, with the following goals:

-Elevate awareness about the Friends of Ngong Road
-Lead initiatives to grow contributions and sponsorships
-Create opportunities for more students to join the program and transform their lives

Our Ambassadors are people who are passionate about the mission of Friends of Ngong Road and want to scale the impact. Ambassadors spread the word of the organization to their network of family, friends, and colleagues. Many Ambassadors host events to inform their network about the important work being done by this organization, with the support of the FoNR Development Associate and Ambassador funds. These crucial volunteers get the joy of knowing they are making an even greater difference through getting more sponsors for children in Kenya who are waiting for this opportunity, as well as donations to sustain the organization’s meaningful programs.

We are looking for more people to join our Ambassador Team! Our husband and wife Ambassador Team, Dave and Kari Jensen, have said this ”We want to share this opportunity with as many people as possible-so many people are looking for ways to give back and this is an excellent grassroots organization that can positively affect not only the child, but the sponsor as well. We are raising children of the world and it is important to give back.”

Are you passionate about the mission of Friends of Ngong Road? Do you have a desire to spread the word of this organization, just like Kari and Dave? If so, please contact Leah Switzer, Development Associate, [email protected]. Your volunteer work will make it possible for more children in Kenya to transform their lives.

In 2019 we received a grant for 60 Endless Solutions desktop computers for our students in Kenya to have greater access to technology to support their studies. The computers are powered by the open-source Endless Operating System and have been designed for populations with little access to technology or internet connectivity. Endless PCs include education and productivity applications that don’t require internet access. This allowed us to replace the aging laptops in our Nairobi computer lab and move the laptops into our post-secondary laptop lending program for post-secondary students who need computer access for their education.

Kelvin Thuku, Program Manager, holds weekly computer classes in our computer lab for nearby Nelson Mandela Primary students, and classes on the weekends for Jagiet Primary School students. Prior to the new computers arriving, students were required to share laptops and take turns practicing the modules because there was not enough equipment. Now, we have enough equipment for full classes to learn each week and hone their skills. In the first week with the new computers, over 100 students interacted with the technology.

The computer lab is also accessed by secondary school students when they are in the office during school breaks and is an important resource for post-secondary students researching their programs, completing their resumes, and finishing school work. All students use the computer lab to email their sponsors and practice their typing skills.

In the 21st century, we know that most of our students’ future jobs will require technology skills. It is critical that we provide them such skills so they are equipped to join the formal Kenyan economy and transform their own lives. A huge thank you to Endless Solutions and the anonymous donor who made this grant and computer access possible.