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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The Inspiring Story of Rolex

From an early age, Rolex was determined to rise above his circumstances. He came from a less privileged background but showed resilience and ambition. Fortunately, our program stepped in to support his inspiring journey. With guidance, he discovered a purpose that helped transform his life.

Rolex is now in his final year of high school. He is passionate about becoming an entrepreneur in the future.

In his free time, he enjoys researching and exploring new ideas. This shows his curiosity and strong desire for self-improvement.

At school, Rolex is an active member of the science club. He continues to sharpen his problem-solving and critical thinking skills. He’s especially interested in how science and technology can solve real-world problems. This mindset supports his long-term entrepreneurial goals.

Through hard work and the support of our program, Rolex is confidently paving the way toward a brighter future. His determination to succeed and give back to his community is truly inspiring.



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Support Girls Education Help More Students Like Darline Thrive

Darline is a bright and determined young girl. She has come a long way thanks to our program that works to support girls’ education. Today, she is in her final year of high school.

support girls education

Growing up in a poor community where many children struggle to stay in school. Darline faced many challenges. Her family could not afford school fees, and she often lacked basic supplies. But with the support of our program, she received everything she needed to stay in school from tuition and uniforms to learning materials and mentorship.

Darline has made good use of this opportunity. She is passionate about helping others and is an active member of St John Ambulance, a charity that helps people by teaching first aid and giving medical help at events or in emergencies. She also enjoys the arts and takes part in her school’s drama club. Her dream is to become an interior designer, where she can use her creativity to design beautiful spaces that improve people’s lives.

Her teachers describe her as focused, helpful, and a natural leader. She inspires other girls in her school to stay motivated and dream big. Darline’s story is just one example of the impact you make when you support education for girls. There are many more students like her, full of talent and potential, just waiting for the same opportunity.



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My first month with Friends

Hi Friends,

I’m writing just a little more than one month into helping steward Friends of Ngong Road into its next chapter. Someone asked me today if it feels like I’ve been drinking from a fire hose — which in some ways, is true. But what I’ve found one month in is: although there’s been much I’ve been getting my arms around, what stands out is how this community has put its arms around me.

The top of mind example is our team in Kenya. I had a chance to spend a week with them in August both to get into the weeds on what we’re up to programmatically and to literally run through the weeds (mainly grass!) as part of Saturday program. Of all of the things I could rave about when it comes to our partners in Kenya, here’s what you need to know: their professionalism and diligence is only outdone by the genuine care and commitment they have to each other and our program. I am so grateful to call them partners and colleagues.

Back here in the States, it’s been wonderful and simply just a great time getting to know so many of our supporters. In these first thirty days I’ve met with nearly fifty of our supporters — from Santa Barbara to Chicago to the Twin Cities.

If we haven’t had a chance to meet, let’s find a time! You all are the wind in our sails; the reason we’re able to realize our mission. I’m so grateful for the nearly twenty years of support so many of you have provided, and look forward to meeting many more of you.

Looking ahead, here’s what you should expect from us:

  • As we approach our twentieth anniversary, we’re laying the foundation for the next twenty years. We’ll be reaching out to hear your perspective on how we can continue this work together.
  • We’re also entering our most critical fundraising season. Nearly two decades of transformation have been made possible by your generosity — and continued support will ensure we thrive in the years ahead. If you’ve given at year’s end before, expect to hear from me.
  • Finally, while the world feels uncertain, our commitment does not. Board and staff alike remain steadfast: change in a child’s life happens one day at a time, and you can count on us to be there daily for our students as we grow.

Let me close this post by sharing a conversation I had with one of our former students — now a Ngong Road case manager — Wence during a game of chess (Wence 2; Dan 1, by the way).

He said, “a student asked me today, ‘Who are you without your titles?’ Dan, how would you answer that same question?”

My answer was: we all carry so many titles in how we show up in the world. We all have so many ways we’d like to be seen. But at Friends of Ngong Road, it’s powerful to remember how much positive change can come from just one simple title: Friend.

In friendship,

Dan Fernelius
President, Friends of Ngong Road

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NGO Support Helps Blessing Build a Better Future

Her name is Blessing, and true to her name, she brings hope wherever she goes. She joined our program with one goal, to improve her family’s situation and build a better future. Thanks to our NGO support, Blessing gained access to quality education. After finishing primary school, she moved on to high school. She is now on a path from poverty to a brighter future.

NGO support

Blessing dreams of becoming an accountant. She works hard in school and does well consistently. Because of her dedication and positive attitude, her school recognised her and made her a class prefect, a leadership role. At our NGO, we are proud to support her journey. Through life skills training, education programs, and personal mentorship, she is becoming a confident young leader ready to shape her future.

As we continue to support her, Blessing shows us that real change happens when young people are empowered through education.



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Dan’s Visit to Nairobi

Traveling to Kenya for the first time is an experience that is hard to capture in words. As Paula often says, “we have to get you to Kenya,” and now I fully understand why. The week was remarkable in every way—equal parts energizing, humbling, and inspiring. I return to the U.S. with deep gratitude for what our community of Friends of Ngong Road has built and for the extraordinary team at the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), whose professionalism, energy, and commitment to our mission left me so confident in our future.

One of the highlights was attending Saturday Program, where nearly 150 kids gathered for “crazy games.” I joined a relay race involving balloons and, despite being the self-proclaimed “slow American,” my team pulled off the win. These moments of laughter and connection reminded me that our mission is not only about education and opportunity but also about joy, resilience, and community.

In every classroom I visited, every story I heard, and every handshake I received, I saw the tangible impact of your support. This video captures just a fraction of that journey, but I hope it conveys the same sense of awe, gratitude, and possibility that I carried home.