Friends of Ngong Road

Providing education and support to Nairobi children living in poverty whose families are affected by HIV/AIDS.

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Maydene McDonald’s estate gift

Friends of Ngong Road was humbled to receive a generous gift from Maydene McDonald’s estate after her passing at the end of 2019. Maydene learned about the organization through her late sister, Beth, who was a relative of Kurt and Paula Meyer. Paula is Friends of Ngong Road’s Founder and President.

On occasion, Paula and Kurt would host Beth, Beth’s husband, Derwood, and Maydene to their home in Iowa for holidays. Their Iowa home is nicknamed “Tranquility” as it is a very tranquil, welcoming place known for hosting guests. Beth and Maydene were among the regular guests, but little did Paula know that they picked up on the opportunity to transform a child’s life through the stories Paula shared about Friends of Ngong Road.

The gift came as a reminder that we never know when, where, or for whom the mission of Friends of Ngong Road will matter. We must keep telling the story so that people like Beth and Maydene have the opportunity to leave a beautiful legacy as they did. Thank you, Maydene and Beth.

If you are considering a planned gift to Friends of Ngong Road, we’d love to talk to you. There are many planning options and giving areas that can be considered. We would love to hear why you care about Friends of Ngong Road and learn your intentions so that your legacy and wishes are ensured.

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Karibu Loo Responds to COVID-19

Karibu Loo, our portable toilet rental business in Nairobi, has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have informed our clients of the measures we are taking to keep staff and clients safe. All of our operations staff will increase their use of protective equipment (face masks, disposable gloves, gowns, and boots) and will regularly use hand sanitizers and hand-washing. Shaking hands or other contact is to be discontinued.

Internally, we have streamlined our management and the two managers, Emmanuel Mukasa in Business Development, and Steven Muendo in Operations, are taking on the challenge of managing the organization through this crisis. Staff meetings have changed from in-person office meetings to WhatsApp call-ins daily. Our Operations staff have developed a rotating schedule so that no more than three of them are on duty at any one time (one to guard the Yard, and two to go on service calls). Sales efforts are limited to telephone calls and emails as in-person sales calls are now impossible.

Despite the government directive to cancel all meetings of more that 15 people, Karibu Loo is open for business. We will accept new business on a case-by-case basis, after approval by the Karibu Loo Crisis Management Team/Operating Committee. Current long term clients will continue to receive the same high quality service they have come to expect from Karibu Loo.  Since the beginning of the crisis we have added three new long term clients and serviced two small funerals.

We encourage all our clients to take the necessary measures to stay safe and healthy in these uncertain times!

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Ambassador Program

The Friends of Ngong Road Ambassador Program is a new, exciting volunteer program. Ambassadors help spread the word of the organization, with the following goals:

-Elevate awareness about the Friends of Ngong Road
-Lead initiatives to grow contributions and sponsorships
-Create opportunities for more students to join the program and transform their lives

Our Ambassadors are people who are passionate about the mission of Friends of Ngong Road and want to scale the impact. Ambassadors spread the word of the organization to their network of family, friends, and colleagues. Many Ambassadors host events to inform their network about the important work being done by this organization, with the support of the FoNR Development Associate and Ambassador funds. These crucial volunteers get the joy of knowing they are making an even greater difference through getting more sponsors for children in Kenya who are waiting for this opportunity, as well as donations to sustain the organization’s meaningful programs.

We are looking for more people to join our Ambassador Team! Our husband and wife Ambassador Team, Dave and Kari Jensen, have said this ”We want to share this opportunity with as many people as possible-so many people are looking for ways to give back and this is an excellent grassroots organization that can positively affect not only the child, but the sponsor as well. We are raising children of the world and it is important to give back.”

Are you passionate about the mission of Friends of Ngong Road? Do you have a desire to spread the word of this organization, just like Kari and Dave? If so, please contact Leah Switzer, Development Associate, leah@ngongroad.org. Your volunteer work will make it possible for more children in Kenya to transform their lives.

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Endless Solutions – Computer Grant

In 2019 we received a grant for 60 Endless Solutions desktop computers for our students in Kenya to have greater access to technology to support their studies. The computers are powered by the open-source Endless Operating System and have been designed for populations with little access to technology or internet connectivity. Endless PCs include education and productivity applications that don’t require internet access. This allowed us to replace the aging laptops in our Nairobi computer lab and move the laptops into our post-secondary laptop lending program for post-secondary students who need computer access for their education.

Kelvin Thuku, Program Manager, holds weekly computer classes in our computer lab for nearby Nelson Mandela Primary students, and classes on the weekends for Jagiet Primary School students. Prior to the new computers arriving, students were required to share laptops and take turns practicing the modules because there was not enough equipment. Now, we have enough equipment for full classes to learn each week and hone their skills. In the first week with the new computers, over 100 students interacted with the technology.

The computer lab is also accessed by secondary school students when they are in the office during school breaks and is an important resource for post-secondary students researching their programs, completing their resumes, and finishing school work. All students use the computer lab to email their sponsors and practice their typing skills.

In the 21st century, we know that most of our students’ future jobs will require technology skills. It is critical that we provide them such skills so they are equipped to join the formal Kenyan economy and transform their own lives. A huge thank you to Endless Solutions and the anonymous donor who made this grant and computer access possible.

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Spring Appeal 2020

Not many of our supporters know that the total cost of supporting a student is approximately double what the sponsor contributes. Sponsors’ contributions cover the education component of a student’s program expenses including tuition, school supplies, uniform and shoes. However, students also receive two meals a day (more if the family is particularly needy), healthcare, caseworker support, access to a computer lab and library, sexual and reproductive health and life skills programming, camp and more. To make all of our supplemental programs possible, additional funds must be raised each year.

In Kenya, secondary school is commonly a boarding format. This may seem odd for those of us in the U.S. who are used to teenagers living at home until they finish high school but for these students and their families it is a huge benefit. At boarding school the students are cared for, fed, have beds of their own and are able to focus on their studies instead of worrying about life in the slums.

In February, sponsors and donors were invited to help raise funds to purchase and fill school trunks for our secondary boarding students. Throughout the year, trunks are filled with things like shoe polish, feminine products, laundry soap, towels, and bedding. With your help, we were able to meet our goal of $10,000 to provide these items to students. Now, they will be able to focus on school knowing that their needs have been met.

Asante Sana!