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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Twenty Years of Transformation: A Message from Our Founder

Hi Friends,

This year, Friends of Ngong Road officially kicks off its 20th Anniversary Celebration. It is a milestone that invites both reflection on where we started and excitement for where we are headed.

When I began this journey two decades ago, my hope was simple: to help a small number of children gain a foothold through primary school education. What has unfolded since then has far exceeded anything I could have imagined.

From Primary Education to Life Transformation

In the early days, our focus was narrow. However, a pivotal moment in 2008 reshaped our entire path. We realized that to create meaningful, lasting change, our goal had to be life transformation, not just primary education.

We committed to supporting students through high school and beyond, recognizing that true independence requires access to professional careers and long-term opportunities.

A Legacy of Impact: By the Numbers

Today, the ripple effect of that commitment is visible across Kenya. Our community of support has fostered incredible growth:

  • 285 Alumni: Our graduates are now working as engineers, teachers, accountants, and programmers.
  • Breaking the Cycle: Many alumni now live in stable housing and earn a living wage, building better futures for their families.
  • Current Students: Nearly 400 students are actively pursuing their education, with another 50 joining the program this April.

Resilience Through Challenges

Our growth hasn’t been without its hurdles. In 2009, a landmark $1 million gift seeded our endowment, providing the financial confidence to pursue our long-term vision.

Since then, we have faced challenges that tested our integrity and resilience. Yet, through every difficult period, we emerged stronger, more disciplined, and more committed to our mission than ever before.

A Bright Future for Friends of Ngong Road

One of the greatest challenges for any founder is ensuring an organization can thrive beyond their own tenure. For a time, I was uncertain about what the future might hold.

Today, that uncertainty has vanished. Thanks to the leadership of our President, Dan Fernelius, and Program Director, Kelvin Thuku, along with our dedicated boards and staff in the U.S. and Kenya, I am confident that our future is bright.

“Our vision is clear: we aim to reach 1,000 students by 2030. I am deeply inspired by this goal and grateful to the community for making it possible.”

Join Us in Minneapolis

We invite you to celebrate this 20-year journey with us. We will be honoring what we have built together and looking ahead to the next two decades of impact.

Thank you for being part of this story. Together, we are changing lives.

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Changing Futures: 20 Years of Turning Potential into Independence

The first quarter of 2026 has been a season of both dynamic growth and significant challenges for the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF). As we celebrate major milestones in student enrollment and academic success, we remain committed to navigating the “real-world” hurdles our community faces.

Expanding Our Reach: 50 New Students Join NRCF

This quarter, we welcomed 50 new students into our program. These children, who were previously on our waiting list, now have the opportunity to learn, grow, and imagine a different future.

However, the need in our community continues to rise. During this same period, our waiting list has doubled—a sobering reminder of the scale of our mission and the urgency of our work.

STEM Excellence and Higher Education Milestones

Our students continue to excel, reflecting both their personal ambition and the strength of our support network:

  • Senior School Transitions: 34 students moved into senior school this quarter.
  • The STEM Shift: Notably, 56% of these students have chosen STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), a direct result of our focused STEM immersion efforts.
  • Tertiary Education: 18 graduates from the Class of 2025 have begun their university or college chapters.
  • Leadership through Service: These new tertiary students are currently completing a two-month community service component, a new initiative designed to cultivate a spirit of giving back.

Resilience Amidst the Nairobi Floods

This progress occurred alongside significant hardship. Nairobi recently experienced severe flooding, resulting in loss of life and widespread property damage. Several NRCF families were directly affected. Our team mobilized immediately to provide emergency support, including:

  • Relocation assistance
  • Emergency food supplies
  • Bedding and essential household items

2026: A Historic Year of Growth

Looking ahead, April 2026 will see another 50 students join the program. This expansion makes 2026 the single largest year of growth in our 20-year history—a milestone that reflects both the increasing demand and our deepening commitment to meet it.

Our Partners in Change

None of this would be possible without our sponsors, donors, and partners. You do more than fund education—you open doors and help shape futures that once felt out of reach. Together, we are changing lives, one student at a time.

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March Newsletter

2026 marks the beginning of our 20th Anniversary. We’re kicking off a year of celebrating on April 23, 2026, in collaboration with our partners at Arrow Giving Foundation.
Save the date—April 23, 2026—as we celebrate two decades of partnering with students and families in Nairobi to unlock opportunity through education. Today, our alumni are working, leading, supporting their families, and shaping their communities. 

Gather for Impact
Celebrating 20 Years of Friends of Ngong Road
April 23, 5 PM – 7 PM
Maison Margaux

Free to attend and complimentary valet.
Registration opens March 9th—more information to come.


2025: A year of growth and momentum

Thanks to you and our global community of supporters, 2025 was a year of inspiring hope and sparking brighter futures. As our 2025 Outcomes Report shows, your generosity is changing lives.

Because of you, we began 2026 by onboarding 100 new students and have already welcomed the first 50 children in January, with another 50 onboarding in April. Thanks to you and hundreds of supporters, last December, you helped make this possible by giving $293,589. Thank you.

Our team in Kenya wanted to say thank you personally. We invite you to watch this short message of gratitude from the staff and students — the very ones your support impacts.

Program Highlight

Every Saturday, students spend the day engaging in fun activities, sharing laughter, and enjoying a delicious meal. Moments like these remind us of the power of community and the impact of education and support. Each Saturday is an opportunity for our students to learn, play, and thrive. Take a moment to enjoy watching kids being kids.

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Lucy’s Journey From Financial Hardship to Professional Success

For many young people, the path to a career is paved with steady support and clear skies. But for Lucy, the journey began in the shadows of uncertainty. Before finding her way to the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), the necessities of life, things many take for granted, were her biggest barriers.

The Weight of Uncertainty

Before joining the program, life was a daily struggle for survival. The dream of an education felt like a luxury that was always just out of reach.

  • Financial Strain: School fees were a constant source of anxiety, often leading to missed classes and interrupted learning.
  • Basic Needs: Hunger was a frequent companion. Without stable access to meals, focusing on a textbook was nearly impossible.

“I remember the feeling of wanting to learn so badly, but the constant worry about whether we could afford the next term or even the next meal was overwhelming,” she recalls.

A Turning Point

Everything changed when she was accepted into the program. The heavy burden of school fees was lifted, replaced by the steady hand of a dedicated sponsor.

NRCF doesn’t just provide an education; they provide a lifeline. The program addressed her challenges holistically:

  1. Full Sponsorship: Covering tuition and school requirements.
  2. Nutritional Support: Ensuring that meals were no longer a question mark, but a guarantee.
  3. Mentorship: Providing the emotional and professional guidance needed to navigate the transition from student to professional.

Life Today

Fast forward to the present, and the transformation is complete. Lucy is now a professional Receptionist, serving as the face of her organization with confidence and grace.

The impact of her sponsorship extends far beyond her own office desk:

  • Self-Sustenance: She is now financially independent.
  • Supporting Family: She has moved from being supported to being a provider, helping sustain her family and uplift their quality of life.
  • Community Impact: Her success serves as a beacon of hope for other children currently in the NRCF program.

“I am so grateful to my sponsor and the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation. They didn’t just pay my fees; they gave me a future. Today, I can take care of myself and my family. My dream has truly come true.”

Why Sponsorship Matters

The story of this alumna is a testament to what happens when opportunity meets determination. NRCF continues to bridge the gap between poverty and potential, turning “what ifs” into “what is.”

Through the generosity of sponsors, children who once worried about their next meal are now the professionals leading Kenya into the future.

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Highlighting Our Recent Sponsor Visit

Last week, Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) was honored to host one of our valued sponsors, Stanley Trollip, for a meaningful and inspiring visit to our program.

Stan took time to meet our dedicated staff team and gain a deeper understanding of the holistic support we provide to children and youth from the Dagoretti community. His visit provided him with a firsthand look at how sponsorship extends beyond school fees to encompass mentorship, career guidance, psychosocial support, and job preparation.

Engaging with Our Career Programs

During his time with us, Stan attended our Career Mentorship session for post-secondary (PS) students as well as our Job Preparedness Program for alumni. In both sessions, he actively engaged with students, speaking passionately about career growth, workplace expectations, and the practical skills needed to thrive in today’s job market.

His insights on professional development, resilience, and continuous learning resonated strongly with our students. It was a powerful reminder of how sponsor engagement adds tremendous value—not only financially, but also through personal mentorship and encouragement.

A Saturday to Remember

Stan also joined our vibrant Saturday Program, where he interacted with students in a relaxed and joyful setting. One of the highlights was watching the inspiring film The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind together. The story of determination and innovation sparked meaningful conversations and laughter among the students and staff. Moments like these reflect the heart of NRCF—building community, nurturing dreams, and creating safe spaces where children can learn and grow.

A Special Moment with Shadrack

The most memorable part of Stan’s visit was meeting his sponsored student, Shadrack, who is currently in Form 3. The two shared a wonderful time bonding, catching up, and discussing Shadrack’s academic progress and aspirations for the future. Seeing the connection between sponsor and student come alive in person is always deeply moving. These relationships are at the core of our sponsorship model, reinforcing to our students that someone believes in them and is walking the journey alongside them.