Greetings,

The year is coming to an end and we are excited to have survived such a difficult time given the COVID pandemic. By working together, per our theme of WePowerment, we managed the crisis. Our COVID response strategies had a good impact:

• November was a busy time for students in the computer lab as they worked on their emails and videos to sponsors. We also continued supporting home school for students.
• In November the caseworkers completed another round of COVID-19 assessments. From the assessments, we have noted an improvement in families returning to work. 
  • 88% of families had at least one family member working in November compared to under 70% of families in July. 
  • 24% of students have gone back to school (majority of post-secondary students, Grade 4, Grade 8, and Form 4 students), This is after the partial resumption of school in October with priority given to candidates who are about to transition to the next level of education.
• In November we focused on an essay project. Students shared their experience reading literature books during the long school break where every month each student received a book to read. The goal is to send the essays to sponsors as a way of connecting on how students spent their time during the COVID-19 school break. You can read these handwritten essays in your sponsor portal.
• We have continued with the Food From Friends program where we have been feeding approximately 300 families every month. In December we issued our last batch of family food aid during our Annual Gathering Meeting held on 3^rd December. The families were very appreciative of the program and the support it has accorded them during such a difficult time. December is the last food issuance month as we plan to refocus on education come January 2021 when all students are expected to go back to school.

Looking Ahead- back to school plan

All students are expected to resume school on January 4^th, 2021 for their second term. It will be a unique year with four terms instead of three. We are currently working on back-to-school supplies and uniforms to ensure students return to school with all they need. We have also reworked our school transportation to ensure students are transported to school in a safe and secure manner by using more private transportation, especially for students within Nairobi.

Finally, we appreciate our donors and supporters for your continued support during such a challenging time. We wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Together we are making a difference.

December is a busy time of the year for all non-profit organizations, and Friends of Ngong Road is no exception. Like most U.S. non-profits, note that we raise a disproportionate amount of our annual budget in the 4th quarter and next year always goes better when we end this year strong. Our focus is on raising $75,000 to meet the Truscott match for our Annual Appeal – if you haven’t yet had a chance to donate, please click here to make a gift today. 

In Kenya, our team is working at full throttle to prepare to get all students back to in-person school on January 4. Uniforms, school supplies, and books are being purchased and school fees are being paid. Seeking new office in Nairobi as current space unfit. Aiming to relocate by early 2021 for improved suitability.

With your help, it is key to note that we fed 300 program families daily between April and year-end. This was a big undertaking, organized as the world quickly evolved with the onset of COVID-19. We raised the necessary funds to pay for food and used a partner church as a safe distribution facility. When students return to school in January, families will face less financial stress and we expect to move to our more standard approach to family food aid – giving food packets as needed to families in the most challenging situations.

The Friends of Ngong Road board of directors recently affirmed our 5-year strategy to “double our impact”. By the end of 2024, we aim to have over 1000 Kenyan youth embarking on a life transformation journey. Just today, I got an update on Mercy, sponsored faithfully by one Twin Cities couple since 2008. Mercy has just completed her 3-year coursework to become a nurse. She will take two days of exams in January and April, after which she will earn her nursing license. It will ensure her to secure permanent employment. The school she attended is managed by a hospital, and she may have the opportunity to work there. Kenya needs qualified nurses and Mercy is on her way!

We express our gratitude to the donors and supporters who have made this work possible through numerous similar life stories. While the pandemic and other challenges will continue, we have learned that when young people have hope for a better future, many of them find a way to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles! Together, our job is to just give them a chance. Thank you and best wishes for a happy holiday season!