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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Valentine: unleashing creativity through learning

My name is Valentine, and I’m a 16-year-old student. I live with my grandmother and one sibling. I go to Gituamba Girls High School in Form Two, and I like Geography and English the most. I like to draw, sing, and dance in my free time. I draw inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, who is considered one of the greatest painters in history and the founder of the High Renaissance. Some of his most famous works include the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and Vitruvian Man.

Empowering Students

I also like to read books, and Jawbreaker is my favorite. Studying and reading are fun for me, and I do them as much as I can. I also play handball, which I enjoy a lot. I’m a kind, loving, and beautiful person, and I’m proud of that.

I am extremely grateful for having access to the Elimu-hub, as it has been playing a crucial role in shaping my computer skills. Moreover, during school holidays, I received support from the NRCF library, which enabled me to borrow books and expand my knowledge. Thanks to these programs, I have improved myself in various areas, and I appreciate the opportunities that came my way.

I want to visit North America one day because I’m interested in how cities grow and change, and I think it would be a great experience for me. I’m sure it would help me learn and grow as a person too.

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A Future Lawyer’s Story

My name is Joseph. I’m 16 years old. I live with my mother and three siblings. I enjoy dancing and playing football, however, my biggest passion is reading. My favorite book is Tao Te Ching. This book consists of 81 short chapters or verses that guide how to live a balanced and harmonious life. The title “Tao Te Ching” roughly translates to “The Book of the Way and its Virtue” or “The Classic of the Virtuous Way.”

In 2018, I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and enrolled in one of their focus primary schools. Currently, I am in High School, Form 2 (10th grade) My favorite subject is business, and during my free time, I enjoy reading and mingling with my friends

Aspiring Lawyer from Kenya

I aspire to become a lawyer and solve big cases to help people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. My role model is Abraham Lincoln. He was a lawyer who practiced law with John T. Stuart before partnering with Stephen Logan and William H. Herndon. He became a prominent railroad lawyer in Illinois before being elected as the 16th president of the United States. During his presidency, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and was unfortunately assassinated in 1865.

Besides my academic and personal goals, I am also focusing on maintaining my purity and health by avoiding drug intake at all costs. I strongly believe that a healthy lifestyle is crucial for success. Lastly, I would love to visit Dubai one day and expose myself to proper urbanization.

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Dreams of a Future Surgeon

My name is Tiana, and I am 11 years old. I live with my grandma and I have two siblings. My hobbies include reading and acrobatics, and my favorite book is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In 2021, I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and was enrolled at Jagiet Academy, which is one of the program’s focus schools.

Currently, I’m in grade six, and during my free time, I like to learn new things and review the lessons taught by teachers. My favorite subjects are science and mathematics. I love mathematics because it’s like a puzzle that helps me understand the world, and science because it teaches me about plants, animals, the human body, weather, and even outer space! Science also encourages me to think critically and be curious.

When I want to relax, I enjoy reading, and sometimes, I listen to music. My dream is to become a surgeon because they have the skills and knowledge to fix people up. Surgeons can perform surgeries and use special tools to make people healthy again. It is amazing how they can fix broken bones, remove tumors, and even transplant organs. Being a surgeon would also allow me to make a real difference in people’s lives and learn even more about the human body.

During Saturday programs, I like spending time with our mentors, participating in different sports activities, and creating stories with my friends. I also visit the Elimu Hub during school holidays to learn from the internet and play educational games. In the future, I would love to visit Disney World, Florida, and see the four Theme Parks in person.

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Making women feel their absolute best

I am Metrine, and I grew up in Nairobi. Since I was a young girl, I have always had a passion for traveling, reading, and cooking. Life growing up was challenging especially when it came to my educational journey but in 2012, things started to change when I became a part of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation. I joined the NRCF program and I was really excited to start this new chapter of my educational journey. I moved from my previous school and got enrolled into Jagiet Academy 

Jagiet Academy was where I excelled in my studies, conquering challenges that once felt impossible. I worked hard, and it paid off as I moved on to Highridge Girls High School for my secondary eduation. There, I continued to grow both academically and personally and it is also where I developed a passion for beauty. My unwavering determination led me to follow my dreams in beauty therapy and nail technology.

After completing my high school education, I joined Vera Beauty College and started my course. I really loved the course I was taking and because I had a passion for it, I quickly grasped the skills I needed. I enjoyed making women feel confident and beautiful and seeing their smiles warmed my heart and it was also a huge validation for me. After graduating from College, I was privileged to get a job at a nail spa and this is where I am currently working. I am also privileged to be the team leader at the nail spa. My future aspirations are that of owning my own beauty parlor and even becoming a flight attendant.

This far, I owe it all to the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and my sponsor. Their belief in my potential gave me the chance to pursue my education and thrive. My journey is far from over, but one thing is certain: with their support, my future shines brighter than ever. Through hard work and guidance from the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, I continue to chase my dreams with unwavering enthusiasm and hope for a successful future.

Transform a life.

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The Class of 2023 Moves From High School to Postsecondary

In 2023, 21 students, 12 girls, and 9 boys, completed their Kenya Certificate of secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

Top Achiever

Our top-performing student, a boy (Moses), achieved an impressive A minus (A-) grade, enabling him to pursue a prestigious university course of his choice in Kenya. Moses is a very quiet and empatheticic young man who loves to help others, play soccer, and dance during his leisure time. During our Saturday Program, you will find him teaching young kids how to dance. His best subject has always been mathematics, for which he scored an A plain (A) which is the highest grade a student can attain. His career ambitions are either Piloting, Aeronautical Engineering or Electrical Engineering. He has the potential to do well in any of these career tracks.

Moving on to Exciting Postsecondary Programs

Seven more students obtained grades that qualify them for admission to various degree programs at universities. Among the remaining students, seven will pursue diploma courses, while eight will pursue certificate programs. Many of the students have chosen career paths in IT/computer science, business, and health-related fields. Some students had a lot to say about the impact of the organization on their lives and their next career goals.

Michael – “My future now looks bright, and I can’t wait to advance my career, get a job, and change my life. Thank you to the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation.”

Sheila – “I’ve always enjoyed playing with numbers. My career options include statistics, data science, and data analysis. I’m excited to pursue one of these careers.”

Clare – “With the help of Ngong Road, I will be able to pursue my desired business career. I have always been interested in business, and I am excited to use the skills I will gain at university to make a difference in the world.“

Kelvin – “I’ve always wanted to work in information technology, and now I can because I’ve attained a grade that allows me to pursue any IT course of my choice. Thank you, Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, for your support.”

Preparing for Post-Secondary

Before beginning their respective universities/colleges in September, the students will participate in a full slate of preparatory programs aimed at helping them succeed in the next phase of their lives. These programs include life skills training, sexual and reproductive health education (SRH), basic computer training, and advanced coding skills for those interested in IT/computer science.

Life Skills:

The purpose of the life skills training program is to equip students with essential skills such as time management, self-management, basic social skills, and career development skills. Other skills taught include effective communication, listening skills, stress and conflict management, emotional intelligence, CV (resume) and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and personal branding.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH):

Statistics in Kenya indicate that a significant number of post-secondary students face challenges such as unplanned pregnancies, which may disrupt their education. To prevent our students from facing similar challenges, we provide them with relevant knowledge and skills to navigate this critical phase of their lives responsibly.

Basic Computer Skills:

Computer literacy is crucial for students’ success in higher education, especially with the adoption of hybrid learning models due to COVID-19. We offer training in basic computer operations and applications. Additionally, through our Post-Secondary Computer Loaner Program, we provide students with laptops to support their educational journey. We rely on donations from our supporters to ensure all students have access to laptops and sincerely thank anyone who has donated.

Advanced Coding Skills:

We offer advanced coding training programs for students, including web development skills, in collaboration with organizations like DirectEd. Successful completion of these programs provides students with internship opportunities at international companies, with the potential for employment. Two students (James and Ezra) from the 2022 graduating class secured internships at companies where they worked while pursuing further education. James was placed at Lido Nation, a blockchain initiative aimed at educating people on blockchain technology. Ezra was placed at the DirectEd Organization, helping with the technological initiatives of the organization.