Child Story Archives - Page 2 of 23 - Friends of Ngong Road

December 4, 2024 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Laphenus: Aspiring Psychiatrist with a passion for Acting and Sports.

My name is Laphenus, a 14-year-old Grade 8 student at P.C.E.A Kimuri Comprehensive School. I am a passionate and driven individual who loves acting, storytelling, and playing sports such as basketball, netball, and handball. My favorite subjects are Kiswahili and Social Studies, which allow me to explore my creativity and learn about the world

I am proud of my teamwork skills, which I’ve developed through my active participation in school activities. Acting is one of my favorite things—it allows me to express myself, connect with others, and tell stories that inspire and entertain. I’ve been fortunate to be part of a team at the Kenya National Theatre, which has given me valuable experience and helped me grow as an actor.

My dream is to become a psychiatrist because I am fascinated by the human mind and deeply care about helping people overcome emotional and mental challenges. Alongside my career aspirations, I plan to continue acting as a way to share powerful messages and stories.

One of my dreams is to visit Paris and India. Paris inspires me with its beauty, art, and culture, while India fascinates me with its vibrant traditions and storytelling. My favorite actor Kenyan actress, Sarah Hassan, motivates me to work hard and believe in my talent.

The Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) has been instrumental in shaping my journey. Before joining NRCF in 2020, life was tough for my family, and education felt like an unattainable dream. NRCF stepped in, providing me with school fees, meals, medical care, and supplies, enabling me to attend one of NRCF’s focused schools, Jagiet Academy, where I thrived. At NRCF, I’ve also been actively participating in Saturday program activities such as taekwondo, drama, and dance, which have helped me develop discipline, creativity, and confidence.

Today, NRCF continues to provide mentorship and resources that allow me to pursue my passions and excel in my studies. It has not only given me access to education but also the confidence to believe in myself and my future. With the support of NRCF, I am determined to make my dreams a reality and contribute positively to my community. I am living proof that education and encouragement can transform lives, and I am excited about the future that lies ahead.

Transform a life today!

October 25, 2024 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Transformational Stories of two Early Childhood Teachers

Plister

Plister joined the organization on 8th December 2007. Before that, her parents could not pay her school fees, which made it difficult for her to continue her education. However, joining the organization allowed her to attend school and receive the support she needed to succeed.

In January 2008, she was enrolled in City Prime School and later transferred to Nelson Mandela Primary School where she completed her primary studies. She proceeded to St’ Tito Girls High School for secondary education. After completing her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, Plister joined the National Youth Service where youths are trained in Paramilitary skills and professional courses that match their qualifications.

As a child, she had always felt a deep connection to children being drawn to their curiosity and boundless energy. This passion led her to pursue a Diploma in Early Childhood Development at the International Training Teachers College Kitengela.

After graduating with her diploma, Plister secured a job at Lakewood Emerald School Kitengela. Every day, she wakes up with a sense of purpose and excitement, knowing that she has the privilege of shaping the lives of young children. Her interaction with her students reminds her of her journey and the transformational impact that education can have.

Thanks to the foundation, Plister, a once shy and introverted girl is now a confident outgoing young woman. “It is through the foundation’s support that I was able to achieve my dreams. Working as a teacher has helped me come out of my shell”, she smilingly said. Today, Plister has been able to transform her life and is now self-sufficient, supporting herself and her family.

Brenda

The program welcomed Brenda on June 26, 2008. She attended City Prime School for her elementary schooling before transferring to Nelson Mandela School. St. Tito Girls High School was where she went to complete her secondary school. Later, at International Teachers Training College in Kitengela, Brenda worked towards a diploma in Early Childhood Development Studies. After finishing her studies, she was fortunate enough to land a job at Kitengela’s Lakewood Emerald School.

Brenda gets her energy and pleasure from interacting with people, thus she excels in social situations. She expresses herself with confidence and is conversational and active. Her profession and social life complement one another since she has no trouble relating to kids in a classroom setting. She inspires and motivates pupils because of her interactive teaching style, which increases their enjoyment of learning. She has become more organized, self-motivated, and optimistic about her work over time.

Brenda is incredibly appreciative of Marti Morfitt, her sponsor via the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation. She acknowledges that she could not have gone to school without the program’s support. Her life has been totally transformed by the support she received; she is now able to support her child, herself, and even her mother and brothers. She is particularly appreciative of the life-changing programs that served as the cornerstone of her development, including summer camps, computer lessons, and medical assistance. She is incredibly grateful and hopes that the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation will continue to help other underprivileged children the way it helped her.

Join us in transforming lives today!

October 2, 2024 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Elizabeth’s Journey to Legal Advocacy

Elizabeth joined the program on May 13, 2007, after tragically losing her parents when she was just 4 years old. With no choice but to live with her aunt, they faced severe financial struggles that made it difficult for Elizabeth to stay in school. However, joining the program became a beacon of hope. She was finally able to attend school without interruptions. She was enrolled at Ngando Preparatory School for her primary education, and later she joined Kangaru Girls High School, one of the top schools in Embu, for her secondary education.

During her time in school, Elizabeth’s leadership qualities stood out, and she was elected as the assistant head girl. After successfully completing her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), she pursued her passion for law by joining the University of Nairobi to study for a Bachelor’s degree in Law. Following that, she attended the Kenya School of Law for a year to obtain a diploma and deepen her understanding of Kenya’s constitution. Elizabeth completed her pupillage at Mamboleo Advocates and was proudly admitted to the bar.

Now, as a lawyer in the High Court of Kenya, Elizabeth reflects on her journey. She acknowledges that without the support of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, she would not have had the opportunity to receive an education after being orphaned at such a young age. Joining the program became the turning point in her life. She was able to focus on her studies without further disruptions, all thanks to the unwavering support of her sponsor, who walked with her every step of the way. Elizabeth expresses deep gratitude to them, praying that they receive endless blessings.

Today, Elizabeth’s life is transformed. She lives in a good home and can support her daily needs. She has even extended her support to help her cousin. The impact of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation is permanent in her life. Through our programs like computer classes, life skills training, and summer camps, Elizabeth has gained invaluable tools to navigate her career. She hopes that the foundation continues its incredible work, providing opportunities to other students in need, just as it did for her.

Join us in transforming lives today!

September 13, 2024 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Coding bootcamp created more “Techies”

This year we have had multiple coding bootcamps for our students, including the recent high school graduates bootcamp. We saw our high school graduates develop and become technology enthusiasts, with several of them enrolling in technology-related courses at various universities and colleges.

The students were first taken through an intensive three-month computer certification program to familiarize them with the ins and outs of computer hardware and software, such as Microsoft Office and the Internet. This certificate is usually key, as students with such knowledge possess the upper hand in college. The students were also introduced to programming, where they acquired the basics of coding and built various personal projects like portfolios.

We partnered with an organization called DiredEd which offers coding bootcamps to recent high school graduates. They seek paid internships for the students that complete the bootcamp successfully. Four of our students, Michael, Kevin, Sheila, and John, successfully completed the bootcamp focusing on building Artificial Intelligence models that address real-life problems. This is a growing skill as the world embraces AI in day-to-day work.

Three of the four, Michael, Sheila, and Kevin joined the DirectEd Trainee Program, which offers mentorship from experienced professionals and networking opportunities. They will also get paid internships, and gain experience while in college.

Michael stood out during the entire bootcamp, consistently displaying exceptional dedication and enthusiasm. He took the lead in group projects and played a significant role in various bootcamp projects, showcasing technical skills and collaborative spirit, leading to his project being awarded the Best Project in Generative AI in the DirectEd bootcamp. A social media platform that enforces community guidelines through AI, earned him top honors.

All these would not have been possible without your generous donations. The funds raised from our Summer Appeal have been crucial in ensuring that our students have the resources they need to thrive in the tech world. Your contributions have helped us create the next generation of tech talent, empowering students like Michael to achieve their dreams. Thank you for helping “create techies.”

See some of Michael’s projects:

September 13, 2024 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Celebrate our recent grads!

Benta

Benta joined the program in 2013 and it has been a life-changing opportunity for her, as she was able to consistently attend school and receive other support through our programs. Her mother was facing challenges raising and educating her and her other two siblings.

Benta initially enrolled in one of our focus primary schools that was not so far from her home. She was able to walk to school. After primary education, she attended high school, where she unlocked her love of numbers and finances. This led her to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the university. During her academic journey, Benta has had several achievements, such as leadership positions at school and during our summer camps. She has evolved from a shy girl to a well-spoken and ambitious young woman.

Benta was excited to have graduated recently and is now job searching so that she can support herself and fully transform her life. Additionally, she is looking forward to pursuing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification with time to boost her career.

“Having a brighter future has never been certain like it is now. I”m ready to pursue my dream career in accounting and uplift my family and community.” ~ Benta

Gavin

Gavin joined the program in 2008. Raised in a large family with eight siblings, life was far from easy. When Gavin was young, his mother became the main provider for the family. She worked hard every day to make sure they had what they needed and took care of everyone with strength and love.

Despite the challenges at home, Gavin has always been a smart and hardworking child. After matching with a sponsor, he started attending one of our partner primary schools. He was always at the top of his class, and on the final exam of primary education, he was the top student in the school, in the ward where he resided with his family (Ngando), and among his cohort at Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF).

Gavin then joined a national-level high school where he did well. After scoring a good grade on his high school exams, he joined Africa Nazarene University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Business and Information Technology. During his academic journey, Gavin has had many achievements, including holding leadership positions during our Summer Camps and being the best student multiple times. While in school, he used his free time to work remotely as an SEO (search engine optimization) specialist and offered Google Ads and WordPress website services as a freelancer. He is now eager to step into roles in Business Intelligence, Business Analysis, and Business Development.

Gavin’s connection with NRCF has been profound. Being an excellent chess player, he regularly volunteers at our Saturday Program to teach kids how to play chess. Each session is impactful, and the sense of community that NRCF fosters is something Gavin deeply values, and he is grateful for the opportunities he was provided.

“With the support I’ve received, my future is now filled with endless possibilities. I’m ready to step into a career in Business Intelligence and uplift my family and community.” ~ Gavin