- Can I send unique gifts or additional funds to my student and their family?
- You can review our gift policy for details on this!
- You can review our gift policy for details on this!
- Can I phone my child or friend them on Facebook?
- No. We ask you not to communicate with your child outside of the Sponsor/Student portal, including through social media while they are active in the program. This policy is in place to protect both students and sponsors.
- When a student becomes a young adult and moves from student to alumni status, the decision will be yours as to whether and how you will stay in touch with your sponsored child.
- Can I share information about my student on my social media accounts (Facebook)?
- Yes, share your experience with your student and Friends of Ngong Road on social media. However, we ask that you do not share your child’s personal information such as their last name, where they live, or other personal information such as health status. This is to protect your student’s privacy and safety.
- Yes, share your experience with your student and Friends of Ngong Road on social media. However, we ask that you do not share your child’s personal information such as their last name, where they live, or other personal information such as health status. This is to protect your student’s privacy and safety.
- What can I do in the Sponsor-Student portal?
- The Sponsor/Student portal is your crucial source of information and communication. You will find letters, messages, essays, and photos from your student. Case managers provide assessments and school marks in the portal.
- The Sponsor/Student portal is your crucial source of information and communication. You will find letters, messages, essays, and photos from your student. Case managers provide assessments and school marks in the portal.
- Can I visit my student?
- We would love to have you visit us in Nairobi and meet your student. Nothing delights a student and their family more than to meet their sponsor. Please let us know in advance. See more information at https://ngongroad.org/get-involved/visit-us-in-nairobi/
- We would love to have you visit us in Nairobi and meet your student. Nothing delights a student and their family more than to meet their sponsor. Please let us know in advance. See more information at https://ngongroad.org/get-involved/visit-us-in-nairobi/
- How do I communicate with my student?
- Use the Sponsor-Student portal to communicate with your student. You can send messages and pictures or create a video message. Our students love to hear from their sponsors.
- Use the Sponsor-Student portal to communicate with your student. You can send messages and pictures or create a video message. Our students love to hear from their sponsors.
- What if I haven’t heard from my student in a long time?
- Don’t worry, you will be hearing from them soon. Students send messages to their sponsor at least three times a year. Students in boarding school do not have access to technology or our offices throughout the school year, but will send you a note while they are home during their holiday breaks.
- Don’t worry, you will be hearing from them soon. Students send messages to their sponsor at least three times a year. Students in boarding school do not have access to technology or our offices throughout the school year, but will send you a note while they are home during their holiday breaks.
- How else can I help support my student and/or the program and how can I get involved?
- You can help the program and your students with donations. Sponsorships cover the cost of education, totaling about 40% of our annual budget. Additional funds are needed to cover supportive programming costs: health & wellness programs, the computer lab & library, Saturday program, camp, and case management, among many others. Donations can be made as a one-time or a recurring monthly donation. Go to https://ngongroad.org/donate/
- Should I be sensitive to the economic gap between my family and my students when corresponding with them?
- Yes. Our students come from extreme poverty but generally loving, supportive households. They are eager to hear about their sponsor’s lives, their family, and their culture. They love to see pictures of family members, understand the work-life of sponsors, learn about your holiday traditions, and especially see photos of snow (which doesn’t happen in Kenya).
- Yes. Our students come from extreme poverty but generally loving, supportive households. They are eager to hear about their sponsor’s lives, their family, and their culture. They love to see pictures of family members, understand the work-life of sponsors, learn about your holiday traditions, and especially see photos of snow (which doesn’t happen in Kenya).
- How many months do students attend school?
- In Kenya, the academic year is the full calendar year, and children typically go to school for three terms: January-April; May-August; September-December. There are 2 – 3 week breaks between the first two terms and a more extended break for most of December.
- In Kenya, the academic year is the full calendar year, and children typically go to school for three terms: January-April; May-August; September-December. There are 2 – 3 week breaks between the first two terms and a more extended break for most of December.
- What if my sponsored student leaves the program?
- Children may end up leaving the program for a variety of reasons. If something happens to your sponsored student, we will communicate with you about what happened and work with you to match you with another child.