Lacey Kraft, Author at Friends of Ngong Road

January 8, 2020 By Lacey Kraft Leave a Comment

Reflections on 2019

As we reflect on the last year, we are so grateful to you. Your generous donations, hours of volunteering, trips to Kenya, letters to your students, and care for kids in Kenya have fueled the mission of transforming lives through education to employment. Cheers to you!

Here are some highlights of what we did, together:

Annual Appeal Goal Hit!

Ted and Kathy Truscott’s $70,000 Annual Appeal match goal was hit on December 30! This year’s Annual Appeal match goal was the largest ever and allowed important programming not covered by sponsorship fees to be accessed by all of our students. Such programs include nutrition, healthcare, camp, caseworker support, sexual and reproductive health, life skills, our library and computer lab, and more. Sincere thanks to everyone who helped us meet the match.

Class 8 Exam Results Are In and Are Great.

At the end of each calendar year, which is the end of the school year in Kenya, students in Class 8 (Grade 8) and Form 4 (Seniors) complete their final exams to determine their next educational step. Lincoln (pictured here) scored the best of our Class 8 students . 100 percent of our Class 8 students are expected to join a secondary school, and six scored high enough to be admitted to national schools, the best in the country.

We Are Proud of Our First University Graduates, Eric, and Victor.

Our first university graduates were Eric and Victor . Eric and Victor both graduated from Kenyatta University with Degrees in Procurement and Computer Mathematics respectively. Victor is a self-employed entrepreneur and currently runs a small gaming business while he is looking for work in his field.

Eric’s promotion at Digital Divide Data has elevated him to the position of a full-time Project Manager. In this role, he manages a team of individuals and interacts directly with clients.

He is looking for a new apartment out of the slums. We are proud of Victor, Eric, and all of our graduates.

The Life Skills Program is Making a Big Difference for our Students.
The Life Skills Program is led by our local caseworkers with the support of Rotary International and Friends of Ngong Road board member, Meghan Feige. Topics such as goal setting, peer pressure, well-being, problem-solving, resume writing, interview skills, and more are taught. Graduation rates of our high school students have increased since starting the Life Skills Program, and the hands-on sessions have become a highlight for our students. Life Skills is already having a direct impact on student self-confidence and self-awareness. We anticipate the program having impacts on employment success and will continue monitoring and evaluating the program.

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Matters for Student Success.
Our Sexual and Reproductive Health Program was started in 2017 and is led by our Youth Peer Providers, who are our secondary and post-secondary students trained by Planned Parenthood. The program has received immense support from Tulane University’s Newcomb Institute and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. So far:

We have trained 300 out of 335 students.
96% of participants agreed more training sessions would be helpful.
26% of participants have accessed free medical care at our partner clinic.
Unplanned pregnancies among our students have significantly dropped.

Karibu Loo Won an All-Kenya Service Award as Business Continues to Improve.

In September, the Karibu Loo team applied for and won the Kenyan hospitality industry’s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) Award for the “Best Sanitation Provider in Kenya”. The team presented the award at a dinner event, which all the managers proudly attended.

Shown at left, from left: Steven Muendo, Operations Manager; Emmanuel Mukasa, Business Development Director; Maureen Mulievi, General Manager; and Norman Ruguroa, Administrative/Marketing Associate.

To read more about Karibu Loo: https://sandbox.ngongroad.org/2019/11/12/karibu-loo-business-update/

July 18, 2019 By Lacey Kraft Leave a Comment

NRCF Board of Directors

The board of our sister organization in Kenya, Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), has dramatically strengthened its support and involvement over the last few years. The board in Kenya meets every other month to provide oversight and governance to the program and plays a direct role in helping graduates secure jobs by deploying their personal and professional networks. They additionally give of their time and energy by volunteering at camp, the Life Skills Program, and other special events. The Ngong Road Children’s Foundation Board of Directors includes:

Patrick Kyalo. Patrick joined the NRCF board in April 2019. Patrick holds a Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from the Kenya Institute of Management, and certificates in public relations, counselling and project management. He is currently undertaking a Masters of Science in Human Resources Management at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology.

Patrick has experience managing human resource programs and strengthening organization systems in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan. He is currently working at Christian Health Association of Kenya. He has previously worked with Amref Health Africa (Kenya), OXFAM Great Britain (Kenya, South Sudan, and DRC), and Intrahealth International through the USAID Capacity Kenya Project (Kenya).

Patrick’s main focus as an NRCF board member is human capital development and management and NGO capacity support. He provides advisory and policy guidance on human resources and institutional compliance matters. He is also interested in talent development and management, partnerships with potential training institutions, and employment services for graduates.

Patrick is motivated to volunteer for NRCF as he is inspired by the vision and mission of NRCF and because he wants to give back to society by making the children and other stakeholders feel worthy, loved, and dignified. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is in the service of others.’’

Robert Murimi. In 2016, Robert became a member of NRCF board, and in January 2019, the board elected him as its chair.

He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing and Strategic Management from the United States International University – San Diego Campus (California, U.S.), and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Option) from the United States International University – Nairobi Campus (Nairobi, Kenya).

Robert is currently working as Chief Trainer/Lead Consultant at Impact Change Ltd. and has been there since 2009. He previously worked as an Associate Consultant (Business and Marketing) at Consultants for Effective Training Ltd., Marketing Director at Alfagen Furnishers Ltd., Marketing and Operations Manager at Art Ltd., and Area Manager (Eastern Division) at Gestetner Ltd.

In his service to NRCF as board chair, Robert focuses on program implementation, and policy development, and leads the board to ensure strategic plans are successfully implemented and objectives achieved. Robert engages in alumni, youth leadership, mentorship, aiding grade 8-12 students with goal-setting, studying methods, and exam support.

Robert’s motivation stems from the desire to positively touch people’s lives, particularly focusing on the younger generation. He is excited when their lives are transformed through programs with which he is involved.

Catherine Naliaka. Catherine joined the NRCF board in April 2019. She holds a Bachelor’s in Education, a Master of Science in Maternal and Child Health, a Master of Arts in Child Development, a Diploma in Human Resources, a Diploma in Counseling, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Child and Youth Development.

Catherine brings extensive experience in program development and NGO management having worked with Compassion International, Kenya since January 2000 where she has served in many roles. Currently, she serves in the Global Compassion International Office in Survival and Early Childhood.

Prior to joining Compassion, Catherine was a Lecturer at Kenya Polytechnic University College and worked as a Research Fellow for the University of Nairobi on a number of research projects.

In her role on the NRCF board, Catherine supports child management and compliance issue. She also participates in providing NGO capacity, ensuring NRCF goals met while safeguarding children’s interests, actively participating in their achievement.

Catherine is married to James Ondeng’ and they are parents to Immanuel, 23 years old. She and her husband serve in their local church. she loves to serve as a part-time nanny in a children’s orphan home. Her dedication to aiding underprivileged kids drives her commitment to collaborate with NRCF.

Judy Nyaga. Judy joined the NRCF board in 2018. She has 18 years of legal and corporate governance experience in the banking industry and is currently the Regional Head for Subsidiary Governance in Africa & Middle East for Standard Chartered Bank. In this role, Judy is responsible for driving high standards of corporate governance across Standard Chartered Bank’s subsidiaries in the Africa & Middle East regions.

Judy holds an Honors Degree in Law from the University of Nairobi and a Post-Graduate Degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Nottingham. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Strathmore Business School in Nairobi. She is a Certified Public Secretary and has passed the examinations required for registration as a Certified Public Accountant. Judy is also a 2015 Eisenhower Fellow.

Judy, NRCF board member, fervently aids in steering and pushing the management, ensuring steadfast achievement of organizational goals. With a legal and corporate governance background, Judy offers valuable insights to the board for overseeing legal and governance risks.

Additionally, she created a book club with some of the NRCF upper-primary school girls. The book club empowers girls to learn life lessons, improve oratory skills, and boost confidence by sharing stories before peers.

NRCF’s vision is to support the education of underprivileged children. This resonates greatly with Judy because she knows the difference a good education has made in her own life. Serving on the board and mentoring girls through the book club enables Judy in a small way to contribute to the education and well-being of vulnerable children.

Anupa Sanghrajka. Anupa joined the NRCF board in 2018. She is a chartered accountant by profession and holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Management. Currently, she is working in a family business based in Nairobi dealing with building products and interiors and property development. Previously, Anupa worked for KPMG in London in the Financial Audit and Advisory Department.

Anupa ensures NRCF’s financial controls align with best practices, maintaining robust processes as a dedicated board member.

She participates in monthly financial review meetings to understand the financials and provide support where required. Growing up in Kenya, Anupa has always aspired to participate in organizations that create an impact on the less fortunate.

Believing education ensures lasting impact, she’s drawn to NRCF for its commitment to sustainability and impactful learning. Anupa’s aim is also to transfer the business skills learned in the corporate world to NRCF.

Aruna Varsani. Aruna joined the NRCF board in April 2019. She is currently the Director of Montessori Plus Center Kindergarten and College in Nairobi and has been a part of Amref Health Africa and the Nairobi Cooking Club.

Aruna received her training in Early Childhood Teaching and Care from Gems School of Management and Montessori Plus Center.

On the NRCF board, Aruna focuses on of education programming part of the organization. She provides policy guidelines and recommendations on how to maximize the education opportunity NRCF is offering the sponsored children. Aruna also helps review project reports and policies.

She finds motivation in volunteering for NRCF, as working for and aiding the needy has always brought her immense pleasure. Seeing people deprived of facilities and resources due to poverty really motivated her to help care for others. Her interest is mainly in children’s education.

She aims to ensure that all children receive equal rights in education and can sustain themselves in the future.