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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Dan’s Nairobi Visit: 20 Years of Potential and Opportunity

On Ngong Road a city moves—matatus and motorbikes, students and shopkeepers, the everyday rhythm of a Tuesday morning in a city of six million. Everywhere in that city abuzz you find potential and opportunity searching for each other. For twenty years now, bringing them together has been our core mission at Friends of Ngong Road.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of seeing that work up close alongside travel companions Leslie, Anne, Naomi, and Keith. What we found was momentum: in the way our team moves, in the way our students carry themselves, and in our 2026 pilot program, which launched 100 new students into our community this year alone.

Celebrating 20 Years of Momentum

We felt that the momentum most around shared tables. On Saturday evening, nearly forty staff, board members, and volunteers gathered for a 20th anniversary dinner. The celebration continued cheerfully, even after a local power outage kept us in the dark for more than hour!

From there, the week shifted into our primary programming:

  • School Visits: We toured the new Lenana WorldComp campus and visited Kahuho Road Academy, which together educate roughly 100 of our students.
  • Hands-on Learning: We observed life skills and mental health classes and spent time at Elimu Hub, where students explored 3D printing and robotics.
  • Alumni Success: Our alumni team hosted a panel with twelve graduates, showcasing the long-term impact of our work.

Expansion and Technology

The week was a whirlwind of activity across Nairobi and beyond. While Leslie and Naomi traveled to Lake Naivasha for a post-secondary student camp, Keith worked with our team on critical technology improvements. Anne spent valuable time with case managers and leadership to ensure our operations remain student-focused.

These efforts are backed by the incredible data from our April impact update:

  • 380+ active students currently in the program.
  • 100 new students were welcomed in the largest expansion in our history.
  • Thousands of meals provided and hundreds of hours of life-changing programming delivered.

Partnerships for the Future

Our work does not happen in isolation. We were graciously hosted by partners across Nairobi, including the KCB Foundation, the Kenya Community Development Foundation, CFK Africa, and Kenya Works.

During our meetings, including a session with our new Nairobi fundraising hire, Emily, we focused on one central question: What does it take to close the gap between potential and opportunity at scale for another twenty years?

A Quiet Confidence

I returned home reflecting on the faces of our students, alumni, and team. I saw determination, resilience, and a quiet confidence that what we are building together actually works.

Deep thanks go to Kelvin and the entire NRCF staff, our boards, our volunteers, and every donor who made this trip possible.

Watch the video of our time in Kenya below, and read our full April impact update at impact.ngongroad.org.

Thank you for being a Friend,

Dan

President
Friends of Ngong Road

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Elimu ‘Education’ Hub: Empowering Kids Through Literacy

Located within a repurposed, bright yellow shipping container, the Elimu ‘Education’ Hub stands as a beacon of opportunity. It is not just a building; it is the heart of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) library, where the community’s commitment to education comes to life. At the heart of this mission is Lucy, the Administrative Assistant and Librarian. She fosters a safe, resource-filled environment, ensuring every child has the high-quality tools they need to succeed.

The Pillar of Literacy: Beyond the Bookshelves

At its core, the Elimu Hub is designed to tackle literacy challenges head-on. The library isn’t just about storing books; it’s about active engagement.

  • Curated Selection: The shelves are stocked with a diverse range of titles, from picture books for early learners to complex narratives for older students.
  • Visual Aids: Recognizing that children learn in different ways, the library utilizes visual aids to help students grasp difficult concepts and improve comprehension.
  • Fluency and Confidence: By reading aloud and participating in group discussions, students bridge the gap between recognizing words and understanding their context, building the confidence needed to excel in their formal schooling.

Innovative Learning: The Power of Multimedia

One of the hub’s most popular features is its integration of technology through movie sessions. These aren’t just for entertainment—they are a strategic pedagogical tool:

  1. Educational Movies: Carefully selected films provide a window into the world, teaching history, science, and social studies in an easy-to-digest way.
  2. Life Skills Integration: Many sessions focus on character building, empathy, and problem-solving, helping students navigate the complexities of life outside the classroom.
  3. A Fun Environment: By making the library a place of “fun” and “discovery,” the NRCF ensures that students want to be there, fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Built on Generosity: The Impact of Sponsorship

The existence of the Elimu Hub is a testament to the power of global and local partnership. From the “Friends of Ngong Road” to various Rotary Clubs and individual donors, the facility represents a collective investment in the future of these children.

“Every book read, and every movie watched is a step toward a brighter, more independent future for our students.” — The NRCF Mission

How You Can Support the Vision

The Ngong Road Children’s Foundation relies on the continuous support of donors to maintain the facility, update the book collection, and provide the technology needed for their multimedia sessions.

  • Visit: Learn more about our success stories at ngongroad.org.
  • Contribute: Every donation goes directly toward the resources that make the Elimu Hub a thriving center for education.
  • Spread the Word: Sharing the NRCF’s mission brings more eyes to the vital work being done for the children of Nairobi.

The Elimu Hub proves that with the right resources and a dedicated team, every child has the potential to become a fluent reader and a confident leader.

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One of Minnesota’s Largest Foundations Supports Our Work

Friends of Ngong Road (FoNR) is honored to announce a $200,000 grant from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) in support of organizational capacity building. This generous support marks a meaningful milestone in our nearly twenty-year journey to empower children in Nairobi’s informal settlements through education, support, and opportunity.

MACP, one of the nation’s largest private philanthropies, is guided by a clear vision: to make a meaningful difference in the world through support for work in communities, the environment, arts and culture, disaster relief, and quality of life. Their support of Friends of Ngong Road affirms both the importance of our mission and the promise of our next chapter of growth.

For Friends, capacity building means strengthening the systems, infrastructure, and leadership that make our student-centered model sustainable. It’s the kind of support that helps us develop momentum while we build—ensuring that as we expand access to education, healthcare, and employment pathways, we do so with stability and sustainability.

This is the first time Friends of Ngong Road has received funding from a major institutional foundation, and it signals growing recognition of our proven results. Since 2006, Friends has served hundreds of students, and nearly three-quarters of our alumni are now employed. That track record—and the resilience of our students and staff—has created both measurable outcomes and deep, community-based change.

We are deeply grateful to Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies for believing in our mission and helping to strengthen its foundation. Their partnership represents not only a financial commitment but a powerful vote of confidence in what Friends of Ngong Road stands for: that every child, no matter where they begin, deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.