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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Meet Our Post-Secondary Case Managers

As a locally-led organization, our Case Managers are the backbone of the program’s success. They walk hand in hand with our students throughout their educational journeys, making sure they have the support and guidance they need to achieve their dreams. 

Tunda–Senior Case Manager

Tunda joined our organization in 2010 as a volunteer caseworker, giving back to the community.  A year later, she became a full-time case manager. She has held multiple positions in her 16 years, but her consistent presence, care for the students, and bright personality make her a beacon for many students. 

Tunda was born into a polygamous Maasai family whose father had three wives; she therefore has fourteen brothers and sisters in total. She grew up in a small village in Maasai land and faced her share of challenges and hurdles to get an education. Tunda works closely with the college students, supporting them through education, mentorship, and life skills. She plays a pivotal role in supporting teenagers and youths to discover their potential and explore different opportunities. Tunda is a university graduate with a degree in development studies and a certified life skills coach.  Her work is guided by a simple but powerful belief: when children are given education, support, and confidence, they can transform not only their own lives but the future of the world around them. 

Quote about working at NRCF 

“At Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, we don’t just support children through education; we walk beside them as they discover their potential and build a future they once only dreamed of.” 

George–Junior Case Manager

Social work has always been a passion for George. After being supported throughout his education, he earned a diploma in Community Development from Mount Kenya University. Through the generous sponsorship of Bob Tritt and Louise Tritt, George completed his studies and pursued his dream of giving back to society.

Despite challenges, including peer pressure during his school years, he remained focused and graduated in 2016. His passion for helping others led him to choose Community Development as a way of supporting the community that nurtured him.

Today, George works as a caseworker at Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, where he is committed to improving the lives of students and making a positive impact in society.

Having gone through our program and now being a case manager, he’s able to relate to and serve other students in a unique way, having been in their shoes.

Quote about working at NRCF 

“By helping students navigate the challenges they face and providing them with the necessary support, I am humbled to contribute significantly to their academic and personal growth.”

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Michael’s Journey: From Coding Bootcamp to Tech Innovator

The journey of digital transformation often begins with a single student identifying a gap in the system. For Michael Moses, that journey started in 2018 when he joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF). Since then, the organization has been a cornerstone of his educational development, providing the support necessary to turn academic potential into real-world innovation.

Building a Strong Technical Foundation

After high school, Michael and his peers were selected for an intensive coding bootcamp facilitated by DirectEd Development. This eight-month program was a turning point, equipping him with a sophisticated suite of technical and professional skills, including:

  • Programming Languages: Mastery of Python and JavaScript.
  • Version Control: Proficiency in Git and GitHub.
  • Professional Skills: Training in project management and collaborative teamwork.

While Michael initially specialized in Generative AI and Machine Learning, his passion soon expanded into broader software development, specifically focusing on the creation of mobile and web applications.

Identifying the “WhatsApp Chaos” Problem

Now a second-year student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), pursuing a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, Michael observed a recurring frustration among his peers.

Despite being in a high-tech environment, most academic communication still relied on WhatsApp groups. This led to “information overload,” where vital lecture notes, deadlines, and official announcements were frequently buried under hundreds of casual chat messages. Michael realized this wasn’t just a student problem; it was a challenge for any corporate organization relying on disorganized chat apps for data sharing.

The Birth of Semestra

In October 2024, Michael decided to bridge this gap. After conducting market research to validate the demand for a more organized system, he began development in December. By April 2026, he successfully launched the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of his platform: Semestra.

Semestra is designed to modernize how learning institutions share resources. It offers a centralized, organized hub where academic information is impossible to miss.

Early Success and Future Vision

The impact of the platform was immediate. Since its launch, 18 classes at JKUAT have already adopted Semestra to manage their academic workflows.

Michael’s goal is to scale this solution across more institutions, replacing chaotic messaging threads with a professional, streamlined platform. His story serves as a powerful testament to how targeted educational support and personal initiative can drive the next generation of African tech solutions.

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One of Minnesota’s Largest Foundations Supports Friends of Ngong Road with a $200,000 grant

Friends of Ngong Road (FoNR) is honored to announce a $200,000 grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) in support of organizational capacity building. This generous support marks a meaningful milestone in our nearly twenty-year journey to empower children in Nairobi’s informal settlements through education, support, and opportunity.

MACP, one of the nation’s largest private philanthropies, is guided by a clear vision: to make a meaningful difference in the world through support for work in communities, the environment, arts and culture, disaster relief, and quality of life. Their support of Friends of Ngong Road affirms both the importance of our mission and the promise of our next chapter of growth.

For Friends, capacity building means strengthening the systems, infrastructure, and leadership that make our student-centered model sustainable. It’s the kind of support that helps us develop momentum while we build—ensuring that as we expand access to education, healthcare, and employment pathways, we do so with stability and sustainability.

This is the first time Friends of Ngong Road has received funding from a major institutional foundation, and it signals growing recognition of our proven results. Since 2006, Friends has served hundreds of students, and nearly three-quarters of our alumni are now employed. That track record—and the resilience of our students and staff—has created both measurable outcomes and deep, community-based change.

We are deeply grateful to Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies for believing in our mission and helping to strengthen its foundation. Their partnership represents not only a financial commitment but a powerful vote of confidence in what Friends of Ngong Road stands for: that every child, no matter where they begin, deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.