Friends of Ngong Road

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

By Leave a Comment

A sponsor’s recent trip to Nairobi

A unique element of our program is that it allows for sponsors to have a one on one relationship with their student, often sparking a special bond between them. This bond grows even stronger when sponsors have the opportunity to meet their students. We always encourage sponsors to take this life changing trip to meet their sponsored student and get a glimpse of how they are helping their student transform their life. One sponsor, Brittany, and her daughter Amina took a trip to meet their sponsored student Crystal.  

Their experience:

sponsor a student in Kenya

Our recent trip to Kenya was a truly unforgettable experience, thanks in large part to our visit with Crystal. Meeting her and her family was heartwarming; they welcomed us with such kindness and generosity. We had the pleasure of visiting Crystal at St. George’s Primary School, where she excels in her studies. Seeing her enthusiasm and dedication firsthand was incredibly rewarding.

Our time in Kenya was filled with memorable moments. We enjoyed feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre, an experience both fun and educational. At Stedmark Garden, we explored a variety of animals from Kenya and beyond, which was both fascinating and enlightening. 

One of the highlights was attending the Saturday program with Ngong Road students, where we shared a meal and participated in activities together. This trip not only deepened our appreciation for the impact of sponsorship but also enriched our lives with the warmth and spirit of Kenya. We are grateful for the opportunity to support Crystal and look forward to more experiences like this in the future.

Brittany and Amina

By Leave a Comment

Sponsor Spotlight – Margo and Matt Mukomela

Margo and Matt Mukomela have sponsored Sam for the past year. They decided to become sponsors after attending and volunteering at the Annual Gathering in the Twin Cities for several years. Margo works at Ameriprise, a company that offers a match for employees giving to Friends of Ngong Road and has a high number of generous supporters of the program. Margo was inspired by the generosity of her colleagues and the stories she heard at the Annual Gathering. She and Matt decided to make a difference for a child in Kenya too.

Margo and Matt are now expecting their first child and they’ll have the opportunity to teach their child about Sam and his life in Kenya. They’re excited to meet their little one and for the educational opportunities he or she will receive in this country. And, they’re glad to extend the opportunity to Sam across the world.

It’s no secret that many young professionals deal with enormous student debt and limited discretionary income as they are starting out their careers and building their families. One young donor said, “It’s all about my choices. If I choose to not donate a portion of my income every month, it often slips away to something else that does not align with my values. I’d rather spend it on something that really matters.”

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor you can learn more by going to https://ngongroad.org/sponsor or emailing Lacey at lacey@ngongroad.org.

By Leave a Comment

Sponsor Spotlight: Lori Harris

Lori Harris

Lori Harris always wanted to sponsor a child, but she was skeptical. She served in law enforcement for over twenty years and had seen and heard too many stories of the funds not getting to the children and programs with big executive salaries. Then her pastor, who knew about the program through her colleague at the seminary, invited founder and president, Paula Meyer, to speak at their church.

She was impressed by the transparency that Paula Meyer and the Friends of Ngong Road program offered. She appreciated the sustainable model they worked to create. Lori had never heard of a program where you could go to the country and meet the students, see their schools, hear the stories of their guardians, and really make a difference. She decided to become a sponsor.

Lori’s connection with Friends of Ngong Road and her students deepened when she traveled to Kenya with Meyer and other sponsors in 2012. Lori says, “My experience on that trip cemented my belief, trust, and passion for the program, which grew exponentially as I was able to see firsthand where my money went. I was able to see the passion and dedication in the teachers and the enthusiasm of the children and sincere appreciation for the program to give them a brighter future.”

Lori feels blessed to have had the chance to learn about kids on the other side of the globe. She enjoys reading their letters and cherishes the memory of meeting her students and their families.

Lori sponsored Fredrick who graduated with his certificate in construction and plant mechanics at the Kenya Institute of Highway and Building Technology in 2017. He is working in construction in northern Kenya and has been an Associate with Karibu Loo. Lori also sponsors Esther in Form 1 (freshman in high school) and John in Class 4 (grade 4).

If you are interested in traveling to Kenya with Friends of Ngong Road, please contact Lacey Kraft at lacey@ngongroad.org or 612-568-4211.