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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Coding Stars Shine at DirectEd Bootcamp

Following a successful introductory Python course in January, 14 students from Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) eagerly participated in the DirectEd Launch Day at Kenyatta University on April 13th. This event marked the beginning of an exciting journey for them as they embarked on the main DirectEd Bootcamp, a challenging but rewarding program designed to equip them with valuable programming skills.

Although the students missed out on access scholarships for additional support such as laptops and Wi-Fi, they remained enthusiastic and used the Elimu hub facility’s desktop computers to pursue their learning. Six students boldly enrolled in the main DirectEd Bootcamp, demonstrating dedication and enthusiasm.

These six students have completed the first module of the Bootcamp, delving into web design with languages like HTML, CSS, and Tailwind CSS. Interactive learning through Kahoot quizzes on Zoom calls added a fun and engaging element to their studies.

Reflecting on his first two weeks in the program, Michael said, “We’ve been studying various coding languages like HTML for structuring webpages, CSS for styling, and Tailwind CSS for applying styling within HTML. We’ve already completed four projects and are looking forward to learning JavaScript.”

We’re incredibly proud of our NRCF students and their commitment to learning and growth. We will continue to share their progress and achievements throughout the DirectEd Bootcamp. Stay tuned for more updates on their journey into the world of programming!

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Educational initiatives during the April school break at NRCF

During the school break at the end of the first term, we compiled a comprehensive list of educational programs to keep our students engaged and intellectually stimulated. These programs were designed to be both entertaining and informative, covering a wide range of topics and activities to appeal to children of different ages. Our goal was to help our students retain what they had learned in the previous term and nurture their curiosity and love of learning. We also introduced grade seven and eight students to sexual reproductive health lessons.

Grade seven and eight students received a comprehensive training program covering mental health, drug, and substance abuse, and sexual reproductive health. The program covered essential topics such as sexuality, adolescence, pregnancy, contraception, and safe sex practices. We aimed to equip students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Force, a grade seven student, said, “I learned about the male reproductive system and the dangers of drug and substance abuse. I learned a lot and can’t wait for the next phase of this training.”

Our high school curriculum consisted of academic and social education for our students. We taught computer skills, email writing, and life skills training for those in their first year in high school. For those in the second year, we continued with computer classes and email writing. For those in the third year, we taught computer classes and email writing again, while the form four students participated in mathematics discussion groups, computer classes, and email writing.

We are proud to say that our comprehensive educational programs have been a great success, and we are committed to developing and improving these programs to meet the evolving needs of our students and to ensure that they receive the best possible education. We aim to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that fosters curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning.

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Valentine: unleashing creativity through learning

My name is Valentine, and I’m a 16-year-old student. I live with my grandmother and one sibling. I go to Gituamba Girls High School in Form Two, and I like Geography and English the most. I like to draw, sing, and dance in my free time. I draw inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci, who is considered one of the greatest painters in history and the founder of the High Renaissance. Some of his most famous works include the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and Vitruvian Man.

Empowering Students

I also like to read books, and Jawbreaker is my favorite. Studying and reading are fun for me, and I do them as much as I can. I also play handball, which I enjoy a lot. I’m a kind, loving, and beautiful person, and I’m proud of that.

I am extremely grateful for having access to the Elimu-hub, as it has been playing a crucial role in shaping my computer skills. Moreover, during school holidays, I received support from the NRCF library, which enabled me to borrow books and expand my knowledge. Thanks to these programs, I have improved myself in various areas, and I appreciate the opportunities that came my way.

I want to visit North America one day because I’m interested in how cities grow and change, and I think it would be a great experience for me. I’m sure it would help me learn and grow as a person too.

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A Future Lawyer’s Story

My name is Joseph. I’m 16 years old. I live with my mother and three siblings. I enjoy dancing and playing football, however, my biggest passion is reading. My favorite book is Tao Te Ching. This book consists of 81 short chapters or verses that guide how to live a balanced and harmonious life. The title “Tao Te Ching” roughly translates to “The Book of the Way and its Virtue” or “The Classic of the Virtuous Way.”

In 2018, I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and enrolled in one of their focus primary schools. Currently, I am in High School, Form 2 (10th grade) My favorite subject is business, and during my free time, I enjoy reading and mingling with my friends

Aspiring Lawyer from Kenya

I aspire to become a lawyer and solve big cases to help people who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. My role model is Abraham Lincoln. He was a lawyer who practiced law with John T. Stuart before partnering with Stephen Logan and William H. Herndon. He became a prominent railroad lawyer in Illinois before being elected as the 16th president of the United States. During his presidency, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and was unfortunately assassinated in 1865.

Besides my academic and personal goals, I am also focusing on maintaining my purity and health by avoiding drug intake at all costs. I strongly believe that a healthy lifestyle is crucial for success. Lastly, I would love to visit Dubai one day and expose myself to proper urbanization.

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Dreams of a Future Surgeon

My name is Tiana, and I am 11 years old. I live with my grandma and I have two siblings. My hobbies include reading and acrobatics, and my favorite book is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. In 2021, I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and was enrolled at Jagiet Academy, which is one of the program’s focus schools.

Currently, I’m in grade six, and during my free time, I like to learn new things and review the lessons taught by teachers. My favorite subjects are science and mathematics. I love mathematics because it’s like a puzzle that helps me understand the world, and science because it teaches me about plants, animals, the human body, weather, and even outer space! Science also encourages me to think critically and be curious.

When I want to relax, I enjoy reading, and sometimes, I listen to music. My dream is to become a surgeon because they have the skills and knowledge to fix people up. Surgeons can perform surgeries and use special tools to make people healthy again. It is amazing how they can fix broken bones, remove tumors, and even transplant organs. Being a surgeon would also allow me to make a real difference in people’s lives and learn even more about the human body.

During Saturday programs, I like spending time with our mentors, participating in different sports activities, and creating stories with my friends. I also visit the Elimu Hub during school holidays to learn from the internet and play educational games. In the future, I would love to visit Disney World, Florida, and see the four Theme Parks in person.