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. 

Grace

My name is Grace and my journey has been truly exciting and allowed me to pursue my passion for cooking. The sponsorship support I received provided me with the chance to complete my education and ultimately begin a successful career in the hospitality industry.

I started my academic journey at Nelson Mandela Primary School, then moved on to GSU Primary School, and finally progressed to St.Tito High School. I then joined Mountain Top Institute where I took a course in hospitality. These steps were crucial in training me for my current position at Waterbucks Hotel in Nakuru where I work in the pastry department, after being promoted from the kitchen.

I am deeply grateful for the sponsorship program, and my success extends beyond transforming my own life to positively impacting that of my aunt. It brings me joy to say that I am thriving in my career and I remain open to exploring new opportunities. The program’s support and encouragement have played a crucial role in my success, and I strive to make the most of the opportunities given to me.

As someone who has benefited from the program, it warms my heart to witness its positive impact on individuals like me and to see the continued success of those who have received support. I hope for continued success in my career and endeavors, and I hope to inspire others with my story.

My Name Is Billal

I am Billal and my journey with Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) began in 2009 when I joined the program and enrolled at Jagiet Academy for Grade 2. During this time, I lived with my mother and brother in the slums of Nairobi. The program played a crucial role by supporting my education and I successfully completed my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams in 2015 (the important 8th grade exam given to all Kenyan students).

With my sponsor’s continuing support, I joined Parklands Boys High School in 2016. The school environment was welcoming. I found other students from the program there and they were kind enough to guide me through my early high school years. I participated in music and drama festivals, achieving regional levels with a solo song. Football (which Americans call soccer) was my favorite sport, and I actively took part. Knowing that NRCF was there to provide support made my school life secure. I completed my high school studies in 2019.

After completing high school, NRCF extended its support by offering life skills training, sexual reproductive health talks, and a valuable computer training program. This three-month training equipped me with essential computer skills in the Microsoft Suite. Guided by my caseworker, I enrolled at the Kenya Institute of Professional Studies (KIPS), for a certificate course in sales and marketing. The 18-month course provided me with relevant skills for a career in marketing. I then went for a three-month attachment at Nairobi Women’s Hospital, starting as a Customer Service Attendant and eventually becoming a Customer Relations Officer where I was responsible for guiding a group of Customer Service Attendants.

In July, 2022, I secured a position at Metrocare Health Clinic as an assistant marketer. My responsibilities included attracting new and repeat clients, promoting the clinic, and establishing partnerships with corporations and insurance entities. In July 2023, I was promoted to the role of Business Development Officer, a significant achievement for my age. At the same time, I volunteered as a Youth Peer Provider at the NRCF Sexual and Reproductive Health Program, allowing me to share my knowledge with peers and enhancing my CV. I have also been attending employment programs offered by NRCF that covered topics like interviewing skills and growing interpersonal skills, which have already helped me navigate the employment market.

I express my gratitude to my sponsor, for her unwavering support and love. Looking ahead, my future plans involve starting my own business and expanding my studies, including a growing interest in medicine. I would also like to thank the NRCF program for their continued support and for guiding me through my transformational journey.

Emmanuel joined our program in 2010 at 11 years old, sponsored by Susan and David Plimpton. He graduated from Kenyatta University in 2022 with a Diploma in Business Information Technology. He has interned with Friends of Ngong Road as a TechMate and currently serves as an IT consultant. 

After graduation, Emmanuel won a year-long scholarship to an entrepreneurship program for young African leaders based in Ghana. He came to the US after being invited as one of 60 from over 6000 applicants world-wide to attend the United Global Sustainability Leadership Program on Hurricane Island in Maine.

The leadership program was a week-long stay, giving Emmanuel the opportunity to meet with over 33 sustainability leaders from across the world. Meeting the other leaders was a highlight of  the trip for him, as he made new connections with a multicultural population. He was glad to meet other leaders with diverse skills and have the opportunity to learn from them. A goal of his is to be a sustainability leader with a specialty in technology. 

This trip included flights from Nairobi to Boston, transfers to Hurricane Island, accommodations, and all meals. This was Emmanuel’s first lengthy flight, and he flew for 26 hours. He loved it!

After the Hurricane Island program , he went to Boston and visited Harvard University, which he says was also one of the best moments of his trip.

Emmanuel then had the chance to meet and work with the Friends of Ngong Road staff in the US. He met his sponsors with whom he shared many light moments. He also had the privilege of being invited to other sponsors’ offices and homes to share his transformational journey in our program. He was able to share his success story and highlight the great job that the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and Friends of Ngong Road are doing.

Thanks to the guidance of Andy Walz, Lumin Fire, and Lido Nation, this journey transformed his perspective on life.