kenya Archives - Friends of Ngong Road

April 2, 2025 By Bellinda Githu Leave a Comment

Meet Princess: A Young Girl Shaping Her Future

Educating a child has a powerful impact on reducing poverty: Meet Princess, a brilliant nine-year-old in fourth grade. Coming from a modest background, she has transformed her struggles into strength. Thanks to the support of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, she has worked hard to excel academically.

In addition to her studies, she serves as an assistant games prefect, demonstrating strong leadership skills. Her enthusiasm for sports motivates her peers to challenge themselves and have fun. She also enjoys drawing as it helps her escape into a world of her imagination. She actively participates in the Saturday Child Development Programme’s art club, where she showcases her creativity and inspires younger children to express themselves through art.

Princess is a determined young girl with aspirations of becoming a doctor one day, motivated by her desire to make a difference in the lives of others. She is grateful to NRCF for giving her the support she needs to reach her dreams. Her story shows how important education and support can be in changing lives. She represents the strength and potential of every child. Investing in education is not just charity; it’s a way to change society for the better. With the right support and opportunities, young leaders like Princess will create a brighter future for their communities and the world.

Join us in transforming lives.

December 2, 2024 By Bellinda Githu Leave a Comment

High school graduates of 2024

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming high school graduation of 16 bright young minds. 12 remarkable young women and 4 determined young men are set to embark on the next chapter of their lives, armed with the knowledge and support provided by Friends of Ngong Road.

A few stories about these graduates:

Rishan, a promising Kolanya Girls High School graduate, strongly desires to become a psychologist, inspired by the growing need for mental health support in today’s society. ‘I’ve witnessed an increase in the number of individuals struggling with mental health issues.’ Rishan replied when asked about her commitment to providing compassionate care and helping others overcome their challenges.

Dennis, another bright student graduating from Dagoretti Boys High School, dreams of becoming an architect. He loves designing and building and hopes to shape Kenya’s cities and create innovative spaces that inspire and uplift. His creativity and problem-solving skills make him a promising future architect.

Faith is a bright and outgoing girl who is a promising graduate of Precious Blood Riruta. She aspires to become a lawyer, driven by her passion for justice and her sharp intellect, which make her a strong candidate for a future in legal advocacy. In addition to her academic ambitions, Faith enjoys dancing and playing soccer, both of which reflect her energetic and determined spirit.

As the festive season approaches, these graduates plan to relax, spend quality time with their families, and enjoy well-deserved breaks. Early in the new year, they will enroll in our Computer Training Program, further enhancing their technical skills and preparing them for their post-secondary education.

We remain dedicated to supporting these young individuals as they transition to higher education. The organization will continue to provide guidance, mentorship, and financial assistance to ensure their success.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates and wish them a bright future filled with achievements and happiness.

September 13, 2024 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Celebrate our recent grads!

Benta

Benta joined the program in 2013 and it has been a life-changing opportunity for her, as she was able to consistently attend school and receive other support through our programs. Her mother was facing challenges raising and educating her and her other two siblings.

Benta initially enrolled in one of our focus primary schools that was not so far from her home. She was able to walk to school. After primary education, she attended high school, where she unlocked her love of numbers and finances. This led her to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the university. During her academic journey, Benta has had several achievements, such as leadership positions at school and during our summer camps. She has evolved from a shy girl to a well-spoken and ambitious young woman.

Benta was excited to have graduated recently and is now job searching so that she can support herself and fully transform her life. Additionally, she is looking forward to pursuing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification with time to boost her career.

“Having a brighter future has never been certain like it is now. I”m ready to pursue my dream career in accounting and uplift my family and community.” ~ Benta

Gavin

Gavin joined the program in 2008. Raised in a large family with eight siblings, life was far from easy. When Gavin was young, his mother became the main provider for the family. She worked hard every day to make sure they had what they needed and took care of everyone with strength and love.

Despite the challenges at home, Gavin has always been a smart and hardworking child. After matching with a sponsor, he started attending one of our partner primary schools. He was always at the top of his class, and on the final exam of primary education, he was the top student in the school, in the ward where he resided with his family (Ngando), and among his cohort at Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF).

Gavin then joined a national-level high school where he did well. After scoring a good grade on his high school exams, he joined Africa Nazarene University, where he pursued a Bachelor of Business and Information Technology. During his academic journey, Gavin has had many achievements, including holding leadership positions during our Summer Camps and being the best student multiple times. While in school, he used his free time to work remotely as an SEO (search engine optimization) specialist and offered Google Ads and WordPress website services as a freelancer. He is now eager to step into roles in Business Intelligence, Business Analysis, and Business Development.

Gavin’s connection with NRCF has been profound. Being an excellent chess player, he regularly volunteers at our Saturday Program to teach kids how to play chess. Each session is impactful, and the sense of community that NRCF fosters is something Gavin deeply values, and he is grateful for the opportunities he was provided.

“With the support I’ve received, my future is now filled with endless possibilities. I’m ready to step into a career in Business Intelligence and uplift my family and community.” ~ Gavin

September 3, 2024 By Nickson Odhiambo Leave a Comment

Mildred, An Aspiring Pediatrician

My name is Mildred. I am 15 years old, and my hobby is drawing because it’s an escape from reality, where imagination comes to life. It’s a way to express emotions, pay attention to detail, and find solace in solitude. My favorite sports are volleyball and football.

I am in Form 1 studying at Kijabe Girls High School. I am currently the class monitor and my work is to maintain order, communicate with teachers, and represent the class. My favorite subjects are Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. because they are fascinated by the natural world and how it works. Exploring biology, chemistry, and physics can provide a deep understanding of the universe, from the smallest cells to the vast cosmos.

I aspire to be a pediatrician because, ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by doctors and how they help people get better. I especially love seeing kids smile and feel better after a visit to the doctor. I want to be a pediatrician to help kids grow healthy and happy, just like my role model, Dr. Benjamin Spock. I’ll be able to teach their parents how to keep them safe and healthy,

I’ve always dreamed of visiting Thailand. The country’s rich culture, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine have captivated me for years. I’m particularly drawn to the ancient temples and historical sites, which offer a glimpse into Thailand’s fascinating past.

By supporting Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, you’re not just helping an individual; you’re investing in a future leader who will make a positive impact on the world.
Join us in transforming lives.

September 14, 2022 By Carole Patrikakos Leave a Comment

An Incredible Trip

My first trip to Nairobi was an exceptional experience in community and capacity building. For two weeks, I delved into staff tasks, engaged with students, and met board members to comprehend their roles.

My biggest takeaway is the sense of community that welcomes the students and their families when they join the NRCF (Ngong Road Children’s Foundation) community. They are embraced with joy and high expectations.

The new Elimu Hub student center is busy! Lucy Iguri (in blue) and Victor Wambua have made creative and professional contributions to the library collection, including tagging the books per a system emulated from another library, and developing a Google Form for book tracking and checkout. Lucy developed guidelines to address how to curate and manage the collection.

Students eagerly surround books on Lucy’s desk, urging her to catalog for a prompt reading adventure as pictured. Excitement fills the air!

Between one-to-one meetings, Saturday programs, lunches, and weekend activities, I was able to get to know the individual NRCF and KLL (Karibu Loo) staff members and have the privilege of hearing their stories. The most impressionable stories were those with the staff who are also program alumni.

Here are two NRCF alumni entrepreneurs: Patrick and Leonard!

Delivering loos with John and Martin, both NRCF beneficiaries.

Meeting former board member Edna with Callen and family. Visiting Kelvin’s son Taj.

At Saturday Program, the intertwined network includes Case Managers, students, and allies like the Saturday Program cook and nurse, revealing deep interdependence. The children radiate delight at having games, activities, and books that they would not otherwise be able to access. The students in the red shirts are the choir.

Shanice is a newly sponsored student. She took a book home from Saturday program. When she came with her mother to pick up her uniform, Alice said she read it to her sister all evening. Here she is coming back for more! Future librarian?!

I became solidly convinced of why I felt compelled to join this organization through my immersion in the NRCF community.

We ensure college access for economically disadvantaged kids, granting them equal opportunities and changing their belief in educational attainment. Their beaming faces project a sense of security in a circle of supportive peers, mentors, and caregivers among whom they grow up.