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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Kyalo, a successful entrepreneur

Kyalo’s journey began in 2007 when he joined the NRCF program, which supported him through both primary and high school education. Following his secondary education, he enrolled at NIBS College to pursue a Diploma in ICT. However, he decided to leave the program after completing the second module. Determined to advance his skills, he subsequently enrolled at Shalom IT Center, where he successfully completed the CompTIA A+ certification in June 2018.

Kyalo then started his professional career as a volunteer at the NRCF office, where he took on dual roles as an office messenger and a computer lab assistant. His responsibilities included monitoring and assisting post-secondary students during extended computer lab hours, helping students during school holidays with tasks such as writing emails to sponsors, acting as an office messenger, and handling scanning and photocopying duties. Concurrently, he worked as a Karibu Loo Associate.

In 2016, he transitioned to a formal employment contract with NRCF as a Computer Lab Assistant, a position he held until 2022. During this time, he provided individual support to children who exhibited either high potential or required additional help in their development. He also performed office messenger duties, entered data into Salesforce, and maintained the computer lab. His technical responsibilities included updating and maintaining lab equipment, designing organizational advertisement materials, managing social media, and providing technical support and training to staff, among other roles.

In 2023, Kyalo decided to start his own business which led him to establish Chalo J Design and Printing, a sole proprietorship aimed at delivering affordable, high-quality printing and design services to businesses and individuals. He has successfully collaborated with several organizations, including Don Bosco Youth Educational Services in Karen, Glad Kids Foundation in Ngando, Rising Duma FC, Kick Like Kenya, and Trinity Fitness Center. Alongside his design business, Kyalo also operates a children’s clothing business, managed by his spouse. The entrepreneurial skills and initial resources to start his businesses were acquired through the entrepreneurship program offered by NRCF, which provided him with essential skills and a starter pack to launch his ventures.

We are proud to see Kyalo successfully running his business from the skills he acquired from the employment programs that we facilitate and we wish him all the best in his endeavors. Join us in transforming a child’s life today.

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Lydia’s educational journey to accountancy

Lydia joined the program in October 2009. She attended Jagiet Academy, where she completed her primary education and earned her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). Demonstrating exceptional dedication, Lydia further sat for and passed the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and subsequently enrolled at Kenyatta University to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance. 

After graduation, Lydia gained diverse work experience, serving in the School of Business at KCA University as a customer care representative at Zuku Limited and a sales associate at Platinum Credit Limited. Currently, she is employed as an accountant at Geokarma Construction Limited while furthering her accounting studies at KCA University.

Lydia expresses profound gratitude to the organization and her late sponsor. Her life has been transformed, allowing her to support herself, her mother, and her brother. She cherishes the unwavering support from her sponsor, who she fondly remembers as a special mother figure, and who has played an important role in shaping her into the great woman she is today. 

Beyond academics, Lydia benefited greatly from the program’s offerings, including life skills workshops, computer classes, and memorable summer camps. She has grown into a focused, principled, and organized young woman, content with her current life and eager for further growth. She extends her heartfelt wishes for the continued success of Ngong Road Children’s Foundation in supporting vulnerable students like her. Here is Lydia’s story captured in a video: Meet Lydia, a passionate accountant turning financial expertise into success!

Transform a child’s life today.

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Coding Stars Shine at DirectEd Bootcamp

Following a successful introductory Python course in January, 14 students from Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) eagerly participated in the DirectEd Launch Day at Kenyatta University on April 13th. This event marked the beginning of an exciting journey for them as they embarked on the main DirectEd Bootcamp, a challenging but rewarding program designed to equip them with valuable programming skills.

Although the students missed out on access scholarships for additional support such as laptops and Wi-Fi, they remained enthusiastic and used the Elimu hub facility’s desktop computers to pursue their learning. Six students boldly enrolled in the main DirectEd Bootcamp, demonstrating dedication and enthusiasm.

These six students have completed the first module of the Bootcamp, delving into web design with languages like HTML, CSS, and Tailwind CSS. Interactive learning through Kahoot quizzes on Zoom calls added a fun and engaging element to their studies.

Reflecting on his first two weeks in the program, Michael said, “We’ve been studying various coding languages like HTML for structuring webpages, CSS for styling, and Tailwind CSS for applying styling within HTML. We’ve already completed four projects and are looking forward to learning JavaScript.”

We’re incredibly proud of our NRCF students and their commitment to learning and growth. We will continue to share their progress and achievements throughout the DirectEd Bootcamp. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey into the world of programming!

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Educational initiatives during the April school break at NRCF

During the school break at the end of the first term, we compiled a comprehensive list of educational programs to keep our students engaged and intellectually stimulated. These programs were designed to be both entertaining and informative, covering a wide range of topics and activities to appeal to children of different ages. Our goal was to help our students retain what they had learned in the previous term and nurture their curiosity and love of learning. We also introduced grade seven and eight students to sexual reproductive health lessons.

Grade seven and eight students received a comprehensive training program covering mental health, drug, and substance abuse, and sexual reproductive health. The program covered essential topics such as sexuality, adolescence, pregnancy, contraception, and safe sex practices. We aimed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Force, a grade seven student, said, “I learned about the male reproductive system and the dangers of drug and substance abuse. I learned a lot and can’t wait for the next phase of this training.”

Our high school curriculum consisted of academic and social education for our students. We taught computer skills, email writing, and life skills training for those in their first year in high school. For those in the second year, we continued with computer classes and email writing. For those in the third year, we taught computer classes and email writing again, while the form four students participated in mathematics discussion groups, computer classes, and email writing.

We are proud to say that our comprehensive educational programs have been a great success, and we are committed to developing and improving these programs to meet the evolving needs of our students and to ensure that they receive the best possible education. We aim to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

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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.