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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Terminology

School

TermDescription
PrimaryElementary school grade levels 1-6
Primary BoardingLive-in elementary school grade levels 1-6
Junior SecondaryMiddle school grade levels 7-9
Senior SecondaryHigh school grade levels 10-12 at boarding school
SecondaryHigh school grade levels 9-12 at boarding school
Post-Secondary (PS)Schooling after Secondary; anything from a trade college to a university
School MarksGrade scores
Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC)The name of the changes to schooling in Kenya from a test/memory-based curriculum to more analytical, critical thinking, as well as practical skills
KCPE or KCSEKenya Certificate for Primary Education or Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education this is the final exam for 8th graders and 12th graders which determines which high schools and post-secondary schools they will be allowed to join. Similar to the ACT, SAT, and MAP tests in the US. 
KPSEA Kenya Primary School Educational Assessment for grade 6 which assesses students’ ability at the primary level
Form 1, 2, 3, 4Form 1 (Freshman year), Form 2 (Sophomore year), Form 3 (Junior year), Form 4 (Senior year) of high school
AttachmentThe equivalent of a work-study program in the US that is required for a students diploma in certain programs
InternshipThe equivalent of a college/university internship in the USA that is required for a students diploma in certain programs

Kenya/Swahili

TermDescription
DagorettiThe slum where most of our students live. There are districts or neighborhoods within the slum that have additional names which the students and case managers use to give more accurate directions. The population of the entire Dagoretti slum is about 240,000. 
SlumA squalid and overcrowded urban street or district inhabited by very poor people. A slum is a highly populated urban residential area consisting of densely packed housing units of weak build quality and often associated with poverty. Often those living in the slums do not have access to running water, clean water, electricity, consistent food, or medical care
Ngong RoadOne of the major roads in Nairobi which links the city and a neighboring county (Kajiado-Maasai land) and has a number of slums adjacent to it including Kibera and Dagoretti. All of our students live off Ngong road where NRCF is located. It is named after the Ngong Hills which are located behind the road. Ngong means “knuckles” in Swahili and the Ngong Hills look like knuckles
UgaliA cornmeal and water mixture that Kenyans use as their primary staple food. They take a chunk of it with their hands and mix it with the other items on their plates. Similar to the role of bread in the US, pasta in Italy, and rice in Asia
ShillingCurrency of Kenya
Wet season/dry seasonSince Kenya is close to the equator, they only have two seasons. The ‘long rains’ season is March to May, the ‘short rains’ season is October to December, and the rest of the year is dry and sunny
MaasaiThe Maasai are an ethnic group and tribe in Kenya. They are among the best-known local populations internationally due to their residence near the many game parks such as the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya
UpcountryRegions outside the City of Nairobi and away from the Coast. mostly considered rural areas where economic activities are mainly farming and there are few towns and people 
KaribuMeans ‘welcome’ in Swahili 
JamboMeans ‘hello’ in Swahili
Asante SanaMeans ‘thank you’ in Swahili

Ngong Road

TermDescription
FONRFriends of Ngong Road is our organization based in the USA, we raise money for the students enrolled in our program in Kenya
NRCFNgong Road Children Foundation is the name of our program in Kenya
KLLKaribu Loo Limited is a portable toilet business started in Kenya that hires out portable toilets and the profits from the business go back into paying for programming. It also hires our students to give them employment experience 
Elimu Hub“Elimu” means “education” in Swahili, and “Hub” is the center of learning activities and resources on our NRCF campus. Elimu Hub houses our computer lab and library. 
Saturday ProgramA weekly child development program held in a field near our campus where our students participate in fun activities, including sports, games, and clubs such as taekwondo and music. Our students eat lunch and have access to a nurse at the program as well
CampIs a chance for our students to spend time out of the slums in a healthy, stimulating environment focused on learning and fun. Camp is described as the students’ favorite activity. Camp is used as a reward for students and they need to meet specific requirements in order to go camping. There are different types of camps for different ages of students ranging from little kids camp for grades 2-4, Grammar Camp for grades 5-8, Senior camp for grades 9-12, Career Camp for post-secondary students, and Alumni camp for graduates.

Sponsorship

TermDescription
PortalThe online platform that sponsors and students use to write and send videos to each other 

General FAQ

  • Why should I sponsor a child in Kenya when so many children in the US could use support?
    Poverty is a global issue and sponsoring a child in need from any country is a worthy cause and personal decision. 
    Here are some things about FoNR to consider:
    • When you sponsor a child in Africa, you help an entire family out of poverty. With financial support and personal encouragement, students have the opportunity to transform not only their life but the lives of an entire family. 
    • FoNR focuses on children living in the slums of Nairobi – we are providing what may be the only opportunity for these children to pull themselves and potentially their families out of poverty, and find a job in the formal economy. 
    • FoNR is tightly run. We have a minimal staff in the US and a volunteer Board of Directors, which keeps overhead costs to a minimum, so your gift goes a long way in Kenya.
    • Friends of Ngong Road’s all-in cost to support each child for one year is about $200/month while the sponsorship is only $100/month. Our additional fundraising efforts throughout the year help us raise the additional $100/month per student required for holistic support. 
  • What are the results of your program on the students’ lives?
    At FoNR there are tangible results that make our organization stand out amongst other non-profit organizations:
    • 93% of our students complete primary school compared to the Kenya average of 77%
    • 86% complete secondary school compared to 42% in Kenya (83% in the US)
    • 84% of students who start a post-secondary program graduate
    • 96% Of our students who completed a post-secondary program are either employed or in internship that we believed will lead to employment. This compares 62.6% employment in Kenya and an estimated only 13.35% employment for young people in Kenya.
  • What makes FoNR different from other nonprofits?
    FoNR is different from other charitable organizations because you get to connect one-on-one with your student and know specifically who your donation is helping. You get to be a part of your student’s life and educational journey as well as have the opportunity to meet them in Kenya if you wish.
  • What are the primary reasons you have such great results? 
    • We partnered with experts such as Dr. Isabela Stefla from Tulane University to understand the answer to this question more deeply. She conducted interviews with approximately 50 students and members of staff in Kenya. She identified some of the key aspects of our success:
      • This program surrounds students with a community that both keeps them accountable and provides the necessary support.
      • This program provides support above and beyond school fees. For example, when children are hungry, they don’t do well in school, so we feed them. They are also enrolled in numerous age-appropriate social and personal development programs. You can read more here: https://ngongroad.org/program/
      •  We teach them life skills to develop self-awareness, an understanding of the careers available, and solid interviewing skills. 
  • How are children chosen to be in the program?
  • Will I be this child’s only sponsor?
    • Yes. A student you sponsor will only be matched with you (and your family). Once you are matched with a student, their profile will no longer be visible on the website.
  • How will I know if I’m helping this child?
    • One of our highest priorities is to facilitate a relationship between sponsor and student. Through our Sponsor/Student portal, you will receive assessments from our local case managers, school grades, and letters from your student. You can send quick notes back to the student and even record and receive brief videos. Communicating with each other is a wonderful way to get to know your student, hear how they are doing, and provide ongoing encouragement.  
       
  • How long does my sponsorship last?
    • We recruit students to the program at about age 10, and they are in school for 10-12 years. We ask that, if you are able, you continue with them through the entire process. That said, we understand circumstances can change, and if you need to stop your sponsorship, we will do our best to identify a new sponsor for them. 
    • The child stays in the program regardless of their sponsorship status. Fortunately, most sponsors choose to remain in the program with their students until graduation; the length of that time depends on the student’s grade when the sponsorship relationship begins. When a student is finished with the program, we encourage sponsors to help transform another student’s life. 
    • If you feel 10-12 years of sponsorship is not something you can commit to, you can still make a monthly donation to our Scholarship Fund which allows donors to have a direct impact on students by paying for the education fees of students who don’t have sponsors. 
  • How can I involve my family in sponsorship?
    • We encourage the whole family to be involved in the student’s progress. Each member of the family is encouraged to write (or send a video) to the student. Note, we do not split sponsorship fees, or have multiple logins to the portal, so family members will need to share portal access.
    • Sponsorship is also a great way to give the gift of education to a younger family member. Often parents or grandparents will pay for the sponsorship of a student and have their child correspond with the sponsored student. This is an excellent way to engage the next generation of givers and form an understanding of the global community. 
  • Does FoNR own or manage the schools?
    • FoNR does not own or manage the school; we partner with schools that have a demonstrated track record of academic success. In high school, students are assigned to specific single-gender boarding schools by the government based on their performance in exams. Read more here: https://ngongroad.org/program/education/ 
  • Are there other ways to help besides sponsorship?
    Absolutely!
    • If 10-12 years of sponsorship isn’t the right fit for your life, but you want a monthly donation to go directly to students’ education, you can still make a smaller monthly donation or one-time gift to our Scholarship Fund which allows you to have a direct impact on students by paying for the education fees of those who don’t have sponsors. 
    • Sponsorship contributions cover almost 40% of our annual operating costs but additional funds are needed to help cover student support costs:

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Caroline: Her Graduation Story

Caroline has been able to show resilience all through her studies and has been able to complete her post-secondary education. She joined the program in 2012 as a young girl in grade 6 full of academic aspirations that she has been able to fulfill. 

Caroline studied a course in social work and community development. The course took 2 years to complete, she completed it in September 2022 and she graduated in December. She has also been able to gain relevant experience through attachments and internships. She was attached at the NRCF offices between September and October 2021 working with the primary department and an internship at the same place for 6 months between April and September 2022 working with the secondary department.

Caroline is currently working with ICEA Lions Group as a salesperson, a position she has been holding since October 2022. She aspires to further her studies as she continues to work as well as a volunteer during the Saturday programs. We wish her all the best!

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Join us in Africa!

Have you ever thought about traveling to Kenya (Africa) to meet your student? Do you want to experience a life-changing trip with your family or friends? Is it a dream of yours to go on a photo safari? Your dream can become a reality. Friends of Ngong Road is planning a trip to Kenya tentatively planned for August 2023 or February 2024 uniquely designed for our sponsors, donors, friends, and their families.

The itinerary will include time with students, a visit to their homes, a school tour, and time at the Saturday Program.  You will also visit our new student center, Elimu Hub. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see some Kenya national parks, African wildlife, and the uniqueness that Nairobi, and Africa, has to offer. 

Contact Naomi at naomi@ngongroad.org if you are interested in learning more. We will follow up with more details on the itinerary, timing, and costs. There will be an online information session to provide more details about the experience, answer any questions you may have, and meet fellow travelers.

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Elimu Hub is being well-utilized

The new Elimu hub student center includes a computer laboratory and library to provide learning activities and resources for our students.  

Primary students take weekly computer classes

There are many benefits of introducing computers to children at an early age. It prepares them for future usage in many professional fields that require these skills. It increases their self-esteem, builds self-confidence, and boosts their problem-solving skills. Students from Nelson Mandela (near the campus) are able to attend during the school week while other students receive intensive exposure on the weekends.

Creative classes on Saturday i.e. Canvas & Coding

As part of the Saturday Program, we are introducing creative computer classes where primary students are taught to use creative tools such as Canvas to create decorative posts for sponsors and to learn basic coding skills.

Internet – Web surfing and student/sponsor communication portal

The students are taught how to use the internet to do school research within their level and how to access and log in to their portals to write/reply to sponsor messages and access their photos and other resources in the portal.

Secondary students attend advanced courses

WordPress training

Secondary students are required to attend computer classes during their holiday including a WordPress course. At the end of the training, they are required to build their online portfolios/websites. The training acts as preparation for the training course with Belmont College after high school.

Internet – Web surfing, NRCF Communication portal, and Google mail

The students are taught how to use the internet to do school research and learn to use the Google Suite tools such as Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. They are taught to access and log in to their student/sponsor portal to send sponsor messages and access their photos and other resources.

Post-secondary students attend formal courses and do research

High school grads computer training– The two-month training program by Belmont International College will be conducted in our computer lab, which is now equipped with new and fast desktops (thank you to all that helped to fund these needed computers).

Research space for students

The computer lab is open to all students and alumni of the program to conduct research or do assignments. Students use the computers in the lab to access the communication portal to send and receive emails to and from their sponsors.

Library is a place for discovery

School textbooks & revision materials.

The library, with the help of the new Kenyan curriculum project leader, is in the process of identifying school textbooks for all school levels that align with the new curriculum.  

Storybooks/novels

Currently, the library has various genres that students borrow and read within our premises. This activity continues in the new library with a plan of adding more.

Library support

The librarian ensures each student borrows a book at least once every school term. A report is issued each year indicating how many books each student has read.  Each student completes a questionnaire upon returning the book to encourage the student to read their story books.   

Art and Design 

Art and design stimulate creativity and imagination, providing visual and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to issues. Through learning about the roles and functions of art, students can explore the impact it has had on contemporary life. 

The students will have access to materials that they cannot access from home and are limited at school. They will be able to:

  • Showcase their artwork to sponsors.  For example;  drawing, cardmaking, flower making using different materials, etc
  • Record first-hand experiences or their imaginative ideas to use in their work. 
  • Develop creativity and imagination through a range of complex activities
  • Increase their critical awareness and boost their confidence and have fun.

Reading and study space

Most of our students’ homes are not conducive to studying. The library space is utilized by students during holidays and weekends for reading, studying, and assignments. Students also come for assistance with their assignments from TechMates interns.

Students will have read-aloud and around sessions, where they will be able to share lessons, terms, and group book reading.  Book club sessions, “Little Gurus”, for grades 5 and 6 students will resume.