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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Thank You Steve Kotvis

Thank you to Steve Kotvis for sharing his gift of photography with Friends of Ngong Road.  Most photos displayed throughout our website and publications are from Steve’s beautiful work.  Thanks Steve!

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Jackline’s Story

Jackline was among the first five children sponsored in our program in 2006. She graduated from high school in 2012, Jackline has an effervescent, optimistic personality and she had hope for a brighter future.

During her eighteen months of post-secondary education, Jackline didnt live at home. Instead, her sponsor paid for her to stay in a dormitory at the school she was attending. In November 2014 she earned a diploma in Front Office Management and shortly thereafter began working as a receptionist intern for Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and Karibu Loo.

We have many visitors to our offices including some ex-pats who work as volunteers. A volunteer named Chris Adams was pleased by Jackline’s abilities and asked the director of NRCF if he may interview her for a position at Nairobi’s privately held veterinary supply company Bimeda in May 2015. Bimeda is based in Ireland which distributes products throughout Kenya.They had an opening for a Customer Care Representative. Chris coached Jackline on interview skills and she went through the interview process. Today Jackline has full-time employment at Bimeda as a Customer Care Representative.

With this job, Jackie has moved into Kenya’s middle class. She exclaimed excitement about joining the international business world. She is looking forward to becoming a more and more valuable employee to Bimeda. “Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and sponsor invested in Jackie’s education, provided support, and prepared her for opportunities, transforming her life.

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Notes from Paula- It’s Working

This has been an exciting year for our organization as two major changes have taken place and we have crafted a strategic plan that will guide us through 2020. A lot of our programs are working.

I’m Working!  It’s Working!  We have seen the result of nine years of work as some of our oldest students finish their post-secondary education and get jobs.  There is an article in the newsletter about our post-secondary program, describing how it will work and the results to date.  We now have 94 students who have finished their primary and secondary education.   All of our 2012 graduates are employed and more than half of our 2013 graduates are employed.  With each newsletter, we will profile students who have completed their education and are now employed.

Karibu Loo.   We have completed the pilot for Karibu Loo and have placed an order that will put us on the path of growing this business. We greatly appreciate the pilot results and hold a strong belief that the business has significant potential to generate income in support of our educational mission, while also providing employment opportunities to many of our graduates. In 2016, the company initiated the plan to expand and develop the business.

Vision 2020. In 2015, the Board had 3 planning sessions, backing a 5-year plan with 3 key initiatives:

1.     Capacity building – moving to professional management from today’s volunteer organization in the U.S. and building management capacity in Kenya;

2.     Financial sustainability – build Karibu Loo and the endowment fund to create a more enduring financial model for the organization;

3.     Return to growth – the board has endorsed the objective of growing to 1000 students actively supported plus alumni by 2020.

As has happened in the past 9 years, there will be many changes and challenges in the coming years.  However, with a clear strategy and the work of talented people, I feel optimistic we will be able to craft an enduring future for the organization.  As always, sincere thanks for your support.

Paula Meyer
President, Friends of Ngong Road

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Karibu Loo is Expanding!

The KL business in Nairobi is expanding and these are the updates regarding its status.

Karibu Loo Will be Fully Launched in 2016

We have placed an order that will begin the expanding portable toilet business in Nairobi.  In early 2016, we will fully launch the business by adding a pick-up truck, a VIP toilet, and another 40 cabins, along with hand-washing stations in response to our key learnings during the 2015 pilot.

Financial results

During the pilot project, we were able to break even because all of the capital was donated.  We are actively soliciting financial support to pay for the cost of the equipment that will allow us to expand.  Those efforts will continue in 2016.  If we are able to secure donations to cover our capital needs we will be able to begin making financial contributions to Ngong Road Children’s Foundation’s operating budget next year.

Employment

In 2015, we exceeded our goals for the employment of our graduates.  To date, 24 graduates have worked as Associates at events, learning important employment skills.  In addition, we have hired three graduates to assist with operations, administration, and accounting.  As we grow these results should continue.

Looking ahead

Michael Switzer will continue as our volunteer general manager in Nairobi until June 2016.  We expect to hire his successor in March and to continue to build the team and infrastructure that will allow this business to build on the successes of 2015.

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