Friends of Ngong Road

We empower Nairobi children living in poverty to transform their lives through education and support, leading to employment.

Archives for August 2023

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Risper’s Journey and Future Aspirations

My name is Risper, and I’m currently a dedicated form 4 candidate at St. Angela’s Girls High School. The journey I’ve undertaken to reach this point has been filled with challenges, but my determination and the support I have received have shaped me into who I am today. I reside in the humble area of Kawangware, alongside my loving parents and two wonderful siblings. Growing up, life presented its difficulties, and my parents faced the tough reality of not being able to afford my school fees. Consequently, there were instances where I was sent back home due to unpaid fees. Those were difficult times for me and my family, and it seemed like a dream to pursue education without financial constraints.

However, a turning point in my life came in 2014 when I was in grade 3. I had the privilege of joining Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), and from that moment, my educational journey took a positive turn. I was fortunate enough to enroll in Jagiet Academy, where I completed my primary education in 2019. The door to a brighter future was opened wider when I gained admission to St. Angela’s Girls High School in 2020.

Beyond academics, I’ve discovered my passion for sports and arts. Volleyball has become a significant part of my life, allowing me to learn valuable life skills while keeping physically active. Additionally, I’ve found immense joy in expressing myself through dance, which led me to become a part of the school’s dance group.

Currently, my focus is on preparing for the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations scheduled for November. My goal is to achieve a B- grade, reflecting the dedication and hard work I’ve put into my studies. Looking ahead, I have aspirations of joining Dedan Kimathi University to pursue a course in journalism. My admiration for news anchor Jeff Koinange has fueled this interest, and I aspire to follow in his footsteps and make a meaningful impact through storytelling.

Furthermore, I have a strong desire to give back to my community through social work. I envision engaging in social work as a part-time endeavor, as I believe in the power of contributing positively to the lives of others.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my sponsors, Mike and Leah Switzer. Their generous sponsorship has not only allowed me to pursue my education but has also instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude. Additionally, I’m immensely thankful to the NRCF program for stepping into my life and making a lasting, positive impact.

Transform a child’s life today.

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Raymond, the Certified Full-Stack Developer

Raymond receives his certificate at the graduation ceremony

My name is Raymond and I embarked on my transformational journey when I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) in 2014. Back then, I was a student in grade 4 and I was really happy to become a part of NRCF and start my empowering journey in education. I joined Jagiet Academy where I completed my primary education. After primary school, I transitioned to Makwa Boys High School. This is where my passion for Computer Science began.

This newfound passion made me reconsider my childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Upon completion of my high school studies, I was eager to pursue a career in Software Engineering. I began the computer package training that Belmont College was offering under the program in January. In April, NRCF entered into a partnership with the DirectEd Development Foundation where high school graduates, would be trained in coding and developer skills. I was excited about this partnership, as I knew that it was exactly what I wanted to pursue.

Through my time learning from DirectEd tutors, I underwent a series of modules, each contributing to my growth. However, it was the final module that truly put my skills to the test.

The task was to develop an individual app project capable of addressing real-world problems. My project was termed the “Terminal” and it was a messaging app aimed at providing a platform for seamless communication. Despite the extensive knowledge I had gained, I still needed to bridge some gaps. In order to bridge these gaps, I embarked on another course to learn about socket.io. This is a technology that facilitates real-time and bidirectional communication between web clients. 

Armed with this newfound knowledge, I returned to my project to enhance it. The results were impressive, as “Terminal” stood out as one of the best projects in the class, receiving a score of 60 out of 75. After all the learning, I finally secured merit in Full-Stack Development. I received my certificate during the graduation ceremony. It was held on the 16th of August for the 1st cohort of graduates from the DirectEd coding program. I felt honored.

I am grateful for the support from NRCF and for the learning at DirectEd that has propelled me towards my goal. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue building my skills, exploring new avenues in software development, and contributing to the ever-evolving world of technology.

Transform a life today.

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Gift Ephy with the Gift of Education!

Meet Ephy, a 9-year-old girl filled with dreams and aspirations that are yet to be fulfilled. Ephy has been waiting for a sponsor for over a year now, and her window is closing. She lives in a humble home, surrounded by love from her parents and her younger brother. But life hasn’t been easy for this family, as they rely on the uncertainty of casual labor for their daily bread. Imagine the weight on her father’s shoulders, waking up each day not knowing if there will be work to sustain the family’s needs. Ephy’s mother, with her ill leg, carries a burden of her own as she devotes her days to caring for their precious little brother.

Despite the obstacles, Ephy is an incredibly dedicated student, cherishing every opportunity to learn. She understands the true value of education, knowing that it holds the key to a brighter future. An education sponsorship is her beacon of hope, the golden ticket to a better life. Ephy’s heart beats with a passion for gymnastics, a world where she feels free and alive. In those moments of joy, she dreams of becoming a professional dancer, but these dreams are elusive as financial constraints threaten to steal away her chance at an education.

By supporting Ephy’s educational dreams, you’re not just providing her with a chance at quality education. You’re giving her the wings she needs to soar toward her dreams and transform her life. Your compassionate sponsorship will make a world of difference, opening doors that she never thought possible. Be the shining light that guides Ephy’s path and helps her reach for the stars by providing educational sponsorship for this incredible young girl. Your kindness will echo through time, leaving a lasting impact on a life filled with promise. It doesn’t end there, you can also see more waiting students or donate to support other students and initiatives in the program. Your secure donation will be a worthwhile investment that can break the cycle of poverty for a student. Donate now and let the magic of education flourish in the heart of a young dreamer like Ephy.

Sponsor Ephy!

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A Day of Learning, Growth, and Inspiration

Last Saturday was a special day at Ngong Road Children’s Foundation. We welcomed back our high school students who were on holiday, and the presence of our alumni made the day even more special. Mr. Paul Dalizu, one of our board members, also joined us and shared his wisdom with us.

Energetic students joyfully singing our program anthem
Ngong road children’s foundation

The day started with our program anthem, which made us feel refreshed and united. Mr. Paul Dalizu took center stage, captivating everyone with his session on the essence of values, using money as a prime example. His words were profound: much like money’s worth remains undiminished despite any blemishes, our inherent values define us beyond any external imperfections.

Artist proudly displaying her creation.
Ngong road children’s foundation

As midday approached, the students gathered for a nourishing lunch, reenergizing both body and spirit for the pinnacle of the day’s events. Our young primary students were prepared to relive the excitement of our recent All Clubs Day. The day aimed to provide students with distinctive educational experiences while fostering camaraderie among different club members.

The Taekwondo Club instilled physical strength, discipline, and self-defense skills in its members, while the Financial Literacy Club imparted valuable lessons on money management and budgeting. The Book Club encouraged a love for reading and improved reading comprehension, and the Art Club allowed students to express themselves through watercolor painting, nurturing their creativity. 

Dance club members showcasing dynamic moves.
Ngong road children’s foundation

The day wasn’t over for our high school students, as they engaged with Mr. Paul in enlightening sessions about planning, basic skills, focus, and sexual reproductive health from our volunteer sexual reproductive health trainers. The day ended with snacks and a feeling of satisfaction.

Your contributions empower us to orchestrate such impactful events, transforming the lives of these budding minds. You can continue to be a part of our journey in various ways, ensuring our ability to touch even more lives by volunteering, donating or sponsoring a child.

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DirectEd Coding Program Graduation

In a significant effort to bridge the tech gap and equip students with coding skills, the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation partnered with the DirectEd Development Foundation in April 2023 to offer coding training for high school graduates. This partnership aimed to empower the graduates with coding proficiency, opening doors to a world of opportunities in the ever-evolving tech industry. The program has been taking place for the last few months and was divided into three progressively intensive parts. 

Our students were making use of the Elimu Hub for the use of computers to access learning materials and carry out personal learning. Throughout their learning journey, they undertook a comprehensive curriculum comprised of five modules. These modules encompassed a diverse range of coding concepts and principles, and in the final module, the students were expected to each develop individual projects where they were to create innovative apps designed to address real-life problems.

After the completion of the program, a graduation ceremony was held on the 16th of August at Kenyatta University to recognize the participant’s remarkable achievements. Among those present were students not only from NRCF but also from partner schools, including Kagumo Boys High School, Mang’u Boys High School, and Maryhill Girls High School. The event was graced by distinguished speakers who lent their wisdom. Izzat Begum, a member of the Board of Trustees at DirectEd, articulated the importance of fostering girls’ empowerment within the tech space. Shahaf Bar-Geffen, the CEO of COTI, was the keynote speaker, and he offered perspectives on navigating the tech landscape. Simon, the CEO of DirectEd, also offered a brief speech. Our Programs Director, Kelvin Thuku was also in attendance. The students were then given their certificates with different levels of recognition to mark their successful completion of the program and become the first cohort graduates of this great initiative from the DirectEd Development Foundation. 

Armed with skills in front-end and full-stack development, we have no doubt that our students will leave an unerasable mark in the tech space. We are entirely grateful to DirectEd Development Foundation for equipping our students with these skills. We would also love to show appreciation to the Cardano Community especially those that sponsored our students through this program. We are extremely proud of our graduates for working hard and attaining this recognition.