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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Changes to the Kenyan School System

Kenya was a British colony until it gained independence in 1963. After independence, many colonial influences persisted in the country, including the old British educational system (long abandoned in Britain). This system is test-based with key examinations that take place at the end of each academic term and then at the end of the equivalent of 8th grade and 12th grade. Students’ scores on these tests determine what secondary and post-secondary schools they can attend and the type of job they can get. Teaching in Kenya has almost exclusively revolved around preparing students to take these exams as their entire future hinges on how they score.  The movie “A Small Act” portrays the terrible pressure students feel to succeed in this system.  

The advantage of a test-based system for Kenyan educators is that it is easy for the government to determine where students are able to continue their schooling. For example, if a student scores above 400, they go to a quality government school, or below 250 they go to a trade school. There are however many disadvantages to the test-based system. It rewards students who can memorize the material but it doesn’t encourage any analytical thinking skills.

Teachers instruct students not to question them, but rather to learn what the teacher deems necessary. People view students who struggle with memorization as less intelligent, which limits their access to a life with better opportunities. Many students are not successful in this system.

Kenyan educators clearly understand some of the downsides to the old British system and the country is now transitioning to a Competency-Based Curriculum. This new educational system will teach students more analytical, critical thinking, as well as practical skills.  There will be many challenges with such a large systemic change, they will be transitioning for the next decade at a minimum.  Few teachers in Kenya have experienced any other system, so training teachers on how to teach in an entirely different way will be a monumental hill to climb. In addition, this will require the curriculum to be changed at every level and current high school and post-secondary placement processes will need to be redesigned. Our Case Managers in Kenya are staying up to date on the upcoming changes to anticipate needs, and to understand the organizational impact required to support students through the changes.

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COVID-19 Update

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create havoc globally, positivity rates in Kenya continue to rise and fall in multiple waves. President Uhuru Kenyatta refers to this pattern as a “’containment seesaw.”

Like other countries, Kenya is trying to manage the Delta variant. Within the slums of Nairobi, poor sanitation and overcrowded living conditions make social distancing impossible.  Positivity rates rise and fall causing constant uncertainty which has brought about a renewed survival instinct in the Kenyan population.

Kenya Government and Health Ministry enforce mask-wearing and more to curb variant spread, minimize next wave’s impact.  A COVID-19 vaccine return to work policy for all civil servants has been implemented. Individuals in the government employ are required to be vaccinated so they can resume work physically and improve service delivery.  The Kenyan military is required to get vaccinated, or they will not be paid. 

Seventeen months have passed since Kenya reported the first case of COVID-19. One year later, in March 2021, Kenya rolled out a National Vaccine Deployment Plan to inoculate 10 million adults by June 2022 and 16 million by June 20, 2023. 

By the end of September, we will have administered 4.5 million doses. However, this is a small dent in the approximately 40 million people aged 12 and over.  It is slow due to limited vaccine availability and challenges with reaching the people in rural areas with the road system in poor condition.

At NRCF, we are adopting a similar policy due to our work which involves interaction with students, families, donors, and other stakeholders. We are pleased that progress is being made as 75% have at least the first dose, most with the AstraZeneca vaccine. It’s our goal to have all staff fully vaccinated by year-end.  Fortunately we have had only one student and three alumni be diagnosed with COVID-19.  Two of those alumni work at Karibu Loo.  The student and three alumni have all recovered.

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Karibu Loo Corner

Business update 

Karibu Loo has been affected by the pandemic. With the emergence of COVID-19 vaccines and with much of the world gradually lifting lockdowns and restrictions, the Kenyan economy had started to gain traction. We were hopeful that 2021 business performance would improve, but in March 2021 a second COVID wave came and restrictions were re-imposed. As a result, business declined in April and May as many event planners and companies canceled events.

One major trend since the onset of the pandemic in 2020 and leading into 2021 is an increase in long-term rentals.  These are mostly construction companies that have continued operating and renting loos throughout the downturn. This has enabled Karibu Loo to survive during the pandemic.    

Digital Marketing Campaign 

While business was challenging in 2020, it was critical to preparing for the future. To set ourselves up for success, we launched a digital marketing campaign to raise awareness and generate new sales. We believe once we have fully implemented this online marketing campaign, it will yield results in both the short term and the future, post-COVID-19.

The campaign is being managed in Kenya with help of U.S. digital marketing volunteers. With the easing of COVID restrictions and our digital marketing campaign starting, the business has begun to pick up in June. July looks promising. 

The campaign continues using humor. Our Chief Creative Volunteer, Steve Kotvis, has developed Google Search ads like: 

“Today’s my wedding day, when I say “I do”,  don’t forget Karibu Loo”

“Count on your crew, Gotta go #1, Gotta go #2. Remove the phew, call Karibu Loo”.

We monitor response rates and poor-performing ads are eliminated and replaced with new ones. 

The number of people calling and emailing to enquire about our services and pricing rates have been increasing, and sales are improving. 

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Congrats, Graduates!

Shout out to our 2020 graduates. This year we had 17 students graduate from primary school to high school. We had 25 students graduate from secondary to post-secondary.

A ‘handover’ ceremony involving students, parents, and NRCF staff took place on May 28. This ceremony celebrates student achievement and orientates the students to the next level of education.

The primary school ceremony includes a highlight of expected changes in high school since primary life is usually different as primary school students are usually enrolled in day schools while high school students are in boarding schools. Students are also coached on handling negative peer influence which is common in high school. The students are required to sign the secondary commitment agreement which defines the expectations of both the parents and students to continue being supported in their education.

The secondary graduation ceremony included a highlight of the post-secondary education requirements and expectations. At this level students are required to take initiative for their education and career goals. Students are advised on the scholarship opportunities for various levels of education (Certificate, Diploma, and Degree options) based on their performance on their KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) exam. The staff educates graduates on the importance of post-secondary education as it increases their chances of getting meaningful employment in Kenya. The students are required to sign a post-secondary contract and code of conduct if they wish to continue with their education.

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Over 20 students have lost their sponsors. Consider sponsoring an additional student. Meet Leon.

Over the past year, more than 20 students have lost their sponsors. This is due to a variety of reasons, including the economic impact of COVID 19. The students are continuing their education, but are in need of a new sponsor.

This is Leon’s story.

Leon is 16 years old and attending Karima High School, a boys-only boarding secondary school that is one of the best national schools. He has been in the program for eight years and his sponsor recently needed to discontinue support.  His sponsor’s support helped him get to this level of education and gain leadership skills through the Life Skills program, summer camp, and the Saturday program. He was a student leader in the primary department and also a squad leader during the 2019 summer camp. Leon has become assertive and gained self-confidence through these leadership roles.

Leon lives with his grandmother and two aunts. The grandmother makes beaded items, sews sweaters, crotchets tablecloths for an income. She also works as a Community Health Volunteer.

Leon’s family lives in a two-roomed house in Ngando slums. The house is made of old rusty iron sheets. Unlike most families in the slum, Leon’s home has electricity so he can study comfortably during school breaks. They buy water for domestic use from a nearby vendor. Leon sleeps on a bed. The family uses charcoal or kerosene stove to cook their meals as they are the most affordable. They share a bathroom and pit latrine with their neighbors.

Leon is an intelligent, focused, and hardworking student. He performs well academically and is usually among the top-performing students in his class. He would like to become a pilot in the future. He is outgoing, confident, and self-driven. 

Sponsors discontinue support for a variety of reasons. We have committed to supporting students who enter our program until they finish their education. So when they lose a sponsor it’s important for us to find a new sponsor. If you already sponsor a student, would you consider sponsoring another one whose sponsor left? We are fortunate that someone has stepped up to sponsor Leon. But there are many other waiting students like him who need your help to ensure they can continue their studies and achieve their dreams. Explore all the waiting students here.