A new school year

At this time of the year, we must get all the children ready for the new school year which begins in January or February.  It is a lot of work because every child gets a new school uniform and new school supplies.

For the new Form 1 (9th graders) it means finding a new high school which is a boarding school and leaving home for the first time.  They all get a trunk full of everything they need for the year.

Success on our KCPE results

We had 51 children who sat for KCPE  (Kenya Comprehensive Primary Exam) in 2014. We are happy to report that the results were very good because, for the first time, we will have more than seven students who will be able to join National Schools. Our average score this year was 295. This is the first year that we had such a big number of students taking the exam and qualifying for a National High School.

We are proud that 24 students had 300 marks and above which is a big achievement. In total, we had 39 students who were above the average mark which is 251. Another remarkable thing is that for the first we have had the highest score of 396 compared with other years. We are also happy to report that about 40 students will also be accepted in higher-quality government-funded secondary schools which is the highest number we have ever got.

Getting the kids ready for high school

The NRCF program that we have come up with for the eighth-grade graduates of KCPE is as follows: They normally sit for the exams in November, and exam results are out on the 1st. week of January, school selections are done in the last week of January, and second selections are done 1st. week of February, They report to school in mid-February, In the first week of March they are all supposed to be in school and finally we are able to compile an accurate report of where they have all reported 2nd. week of March.

Post-secondary program is now complete

We are happy to report that we have now finalized the post-secondary program which has details of when the student graduates to the time they are enrolled in post-secondary programs which include computer classes which are very important in Kenya in furthering one’s career. When they are supposed to get the identification papers and participate in seminars in the office as well as resume writing, communication skills, and career assessment when they are supposed to get the final marks from schools and the process that will include the NRCF Scholarship Committee? We have also come up with processes for how they will be enrolled in post-secondary programs and the follow-up needed.

Welcome to our new post-secondary department leader

Joy, who has a Diploma in Community Development and has worked with teenagers with similar backgrounds to our children’s, has been employed to work with our children and make sure the above is accomplished for the post-secondary students. Since her first day with NRCF on the 3rd. of November she has proved to be a very hard-working lady who will make sure the above is accomplished.

Thank you for all you do for us here in Nairobi.

As the school year kicks off around the U.S. in 2014., the tempo of activity picks up for most families.  That happens for Friends of Ngong Road as well.

During the month of August, we conduct a camp for about 375 students.  We now hold four different camps:  Leadership Camp (for camp counselors); Senior Camp (for students from 8th grade through Senior in high school); Grammar School Camp (for students from 3rd grade through 7th grade) and Little Kids Camp (for younger students).   Each of these camp experiences is tailored to the children in attendance.  This year we had six U.S. visitors assisting with one or more camps.  By now you should have received letters talking about the wonderful time the students had in camp – it is truly the one time each year when they get to be kids!