Friends of Ngong Road

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

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March 26, 2024 By Victor Wambua Leave a Comment

Friends Make It Happen!

Friends of Ngong Road has grown via a network of friends and colleagues who are committed to our mission of supporting life transformation via education and support, leading to employment.

We have a new fundraising method that will enable our supporters to reach their friends and families to ask for their support of our programs and student sponsorship goals. 

With this tool, you can have your own profile on our website that  describes why you are committed to our mission and the students in our program. You can set a goal to recruit  sponsors for new students or funds for a specific initiative.

We invite you to check out the profiles and consider participating. This personal approach gives your friends and contacts a direct way to engage with Friends of Ngong Road. With your help, we can reach our student sponsorship goals and grow our network of supporters.

Be our Friend:

Being a Friend is easy to do! Click here to get started or email naomi@ngongroad.org for more information.

March 26, 2024 By Victor Wambua Leave a Comment

Our students need school supplies!

Please donate today. We have raised $11,000, and have a long way to go to reach our $50,000 goal. Our students started a new school year, and need school supplies. 

Boarding school is the norm for secondary students and some primary students in Kenya. We have over 100 students in our program who attend boarding school. 

These students are allowed a trunk with all of their personal belongings and school supplies. They need their trunks filled three times a year with basic items not covered through sponsorships such as:

  • Towels and bedding
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Washtub and laundry soap
  • Complete toiletries, including shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.
  • Toilet paper
  • Pencils, pens, etc.

Helping our students fill their trunks is a tangible way to show support. Your donation helps our students have the tools they need to succeed and the confidence that comes from having the same supplies as their peers.

DONATE

March 26, 2024 By Victor Wambua Leave a Comment

Waiting for a sponsor for a year and a half

For the first time, we have students who have been waiting on the website for a sponsor for over a year and a half. These students’ education has been derailed, and their hope of transforming their lives is dimming. Our goal is to find each of these students a sponsor before the next trimester starts in April. A sponsorship means they can join one of our focus schools with all the necessary school supplies, and continue with their education journey uninterrupted with their peers.

Will you help change the lives of one of these bright young minds by becoming a sponsor?

Sponsorship for Education

Neville has been waiting for a sponsor for 556 days. He’s 12 years old and in 7th grade.

Enjoys: Drawing and playing soccer
Talents: Drawing
Favorite subjects: Science and Creative Arts
Dream job: Soccer Player

Sponsor me!

Morgan has been waiting for a sponsor for 521 days. He’s 11 years old and in 6th grade.

Enjoys: Reading
Talents: Drawing
Best subjects: Creative Arts and Agriculture
Wants to become: An Aeronautical Engineer/ Artists

Sponsor me!

These bright young minds are eagerly waiting for sponsors to continue their education journey. Your support can make a significant impact!

Brian has been waiting for a sponsor for 521 days. He’s 11 years old and in 6th grade.

Enjoys: Reading and Drawing
Talents: Drawing
Best subjects: English and Creative Arts
Wants to become: Building and Construction Engineer

Sponsor me!

Sponsorship for Education

Christian has been waiting for a sponsor for 521 days. He’s 9 years old and in 4th grade.

Enjoys: Playing outdoor games and dancing
Talents: Dancing
Best subjects: Mathematics
Wants to become: A Soldier/Arny General

Sponsor me!

Sanchez has been waiting for a sponsor for 506 days. He’s 12 years old and in 6th grade.

Enjoys: Playing Soccer
Talents: Playing Soccer
Best subjects: Mathematics, Science and Technology
Wants to become: an Automotive Engineer

Sponsor me!

See more students waiting for sponsorship!

December 14, 2023 By Victor Wambua Leave a Comment

Adventures in STEM

We partnered with the Science Mill (an interactive museum in Johnson City, Texas) to implement a five-day STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) camp in our Elimu Hub building. As part of our “Creating Techies” initiative, the five-day camp immersed our seventh-grade students in the world of technology and robotics with a fun approach by pretending to be “spies”. They created versatile gadgets, used chemistry to get out of sticky situations, and built robots to complete “missions”, all to understand that STEM can be fun. 

Day One: Robotics and Owl-Inspired Technology

Students designed a simple robot using LEDs and servos (a device with a motor and a sensor to control objects) using basic computer science logic. This exposed them to computing and robotics principles while also improving their teamwork and understanding of robotics and computer science. 

Dissecting owl pellets to learn about what owls eat, and the structure of rodent skeletons taught students a bit about zoology. Creating a tech creature out of craft materials, robotics, and circuitry kits brought their prototypes to life while learning about biometric designs and bioengineering careers. 

Day Two: Secret Agent X, Bug-Inspired Biomimicry, and Secret Safe Box

On the second day, teams expanded their experience with robotics by exploring sensors, LED screen messages, and sound outputs to build a robotic “Secret Agent” pet. Students learnt about biomimicry, sketched, and then built a prototype that could be the next nanotech gadget that solves a real-world problem.

In the afternoon, teams delved into the world of cyber security and cryptography as they designed their secret safe box using light sensors, buzzers, and more code.

Day Three: Engineering an Escape, Covert Communications, Secret Spy Device, and Secret Rover Mission

Teams were introduced to engineering when they created a zipline carrier by exploring physics concepts such as gravity, friction, force, motion, trajectory, and slope. They worked as mechanical and civil engineers to apply physics, math, and budgeting concepts and grew their experience by using their designs. Just like master electricians, they created a functional circuit with a switch from circuitry kits. Using their engineering skills, they designed a communication device that uses light, sound, or motion to send code messages to “spy allies”.

Students were exposed to concepts regarding energy and climate change as they built an electric “spy” rover. They programmed a distance sensor and servos to traverse an obstacle course.

Day Four: Ice Cream Chemistry, Perfecting a Polymer, Chemical Detectives, and Rescue Rations

Students learned what it means to be a food chemist or process engineer by making silly putty and ice cream from a recipe. This helped them demonstrate how to get their “agents” out of a sticky situation. They were exposed to analytical chemistry and environmental engineering by solving the mystery of what’s contaminating the soil and designed solutions to combat the problem. As food scientists and chefs, they explored the world of molecular gastronomy to design unique edible beverage bottles.

Day Five: Career Adventure

Reflecting on their week of experiences, teams worked together to create detailed artwork/projects that symbolize various STEM career paths. Additionally, they engaged in peer interviews, and delved into conversations aimed at unlocking hidden potential within the realm of STEM.

As the students increased their understanding of STEM topics, they selected specific career fields within the STEM spectrum to explore further. The event concluded with a graduation ceremony, celebrating the participants’ successful completion of the STEM camp and the beginning of their journey towards understanding how STEM can fit in their lives. The camp unlocked hidden potential, inspired career choices, and equipped students with the skills needed to address complex real-world challenges.

This year was a pilot, which proved to be a resounding success, enjoyed by all. We will keep you updated as we seek grant funding to implement and expand this initiative.

December 14, 2023 By Victor Wambua Leave a Comment

Tis the Season in Kenya!

In Kenya, the festive season is a time of joy, unity, and vibrant celebrations that reflect the country’s rich cultural diversity. The season typically spans from late November to early January, encompassing various religious and cultural celebrations. 

As the holidays approach, Kenyan cities and towns come alive with colorful decorations, twinkling lights, and festive markets. Streets are adorned with banners and ornaments, creating an atmosphere that captures the spirit of the season. Shopping malls and markets bustle with activity as people shop for gifts, decorations, and traditional holiday foods. 

Traditional Kenyan cuisine takes center stage this time of year. Families prepare a variety of delicious dishes, including nyama choma (grilled meat), sukuma wiki (collard greens), and pilau (spiced rice). Special treats like mandazi (deep-fried dough) and chapati (flatbread) are also commonly enjoyed during this time. Meat is especially bought in plenty, as the holiday season is never complete without a chicken or a goat being roasted for the family. Most families buy chickens and put them in their homes making sure to feed them and keep them in a healthy condition ready for them to be the center of the table on Christmas Day.

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Kenya, and the festivities often begin on Christmas Eve. Many Kenyan families attend special church services where hymns, nativity plays, carol singing, and prayers fill the air. This is an important aspect of the season as it serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewed spiritual connections for most Christian Kenyans. 

One unique aspect of the holiday season in Kenya popularly known as “ushago,” is the tradition of visiting rural homes. Many urban dwellers take the opportunity to travel to their ancestral villages and reconnect with family members to bond, share stories, and partake in traditional customs. Elders pass down cultural heritage in stories and dance to the younger generations, ensuring that customs and traditions are preserved. The air is filled with laughter and the aromas of home-cooked meals as communities come together to celebrate the holidays. This is one of the most heartwarming aspects of the Kenyan festive season. 

December is also the season of giving in Kenya. Families exchange gifts as a symbol of love and appreciation. Acts of kindness, such as helping those in need or supporting community initiatives, are also prevalent during this time. Many organizations and individuals engage in charitable activities, spreading joy to the less fortunate and embodying the true spirit of the season. At Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, we also love to partake in the act of giving. During our annual gathering that happens in the month of December, we give all families in the organization holiday packs that are a result of donations from various organizations, companies, and individuals. These packs usually contain basic food necessities such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, and maize flour among others. 

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, Kenyans enthusiastically welcome the coming year with fireworks, music, singing, and dancing. It is uncommon to find people in their houses as most of them will usually be outside on the streets, in churches, and in places of enjoyment like clubs and resorts. Parties and gatherings continue into the early hours of the morning, creating a lively and celebratory atmosphere. In Kenya, this is a truly magical and favorite time of year for many. 

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Friends of Ngong Road
100 1st St S #581308
Minneapolis, MN 55458
(612) 568-4211 | info@ngongroad.org

EIN: 20-4690846

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