News - Page 25 of 92 - Friends of Ngong Road

September 8, 2023 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Meet Natalia who Aspires to Become an Army Police

My name is Natalia and I live with my mother and sister, and we share a close bond. Currently, I’m a student in grade 6 at Nelson Mandela School, and I have a strong passion for a particular subject – Agriculture. It’s incredible to learn about how we can take care of the environment and contribute positively to our planet through this subject. In addition to my studies, I’m an active participant in extracurricular activities at school. One of my favorites is playing football. It’s not just a game for me; it’s a way to stay active and make friends. Besides school, I also have a wonderful Saturday routine. I eagerly look forward to the Saturday program at NRCF because it’s filled with fun games and activities that bring so much excitement to my weekends.

Initially, I was part of the dance group, but I later made the decision to join the Taekwondo team, which I absolutely adore. Taekwondo has taught me discipline, self-defense, and how to push my limits. It’s a sport that empowers me and brings out the best in me. One of my absolute favorite places at NRCF is the Elimu Hub, particularly the library. I have a deep love for reading storybooks, and the library is like a treasure for me. I use it not only for my personal reading but also to find books that can help me with my schoolwork. Knowledge is power, and I believe that reading opens up a world of possibilities.

Another part of the Elimu Hub that I find fascinating is the computer lab. During my free time, I enjoy writing letters to my sponsor, expressing my gratitude for their support, and sharing updates about my life. I also like to unwind by playing games on the computer.

When I think about my future, I have a strong aspiration. I dream of becoming an army police officer because I want to contribute to the safety and well-being of my country. It’s a challenging path, but I’m determined to work hard and make a positive impact.

I am grateful to NRCF for the incredible education sponsorship they provide. It’s not just about receiving an education; it’s about the opportunities, the friendships, and the experiences that have enriched my life. NRCF has been a guiding light in my journey, and I am excited to see where my education and determination will take me in the years to come.

Transform a child’s life.

September 1, 2023 By Nickson Odhiambo Leave a Comment

Teens Table Talents Day

Ngong Road Children's Foundation under 14 football team posing for a group photo — Ngong road children’s foundation

Last Saturday, the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation came alive with the Teens Table Talents Day. Our main goal was to empower our children by allowing them to participate in activities they are passionate about. We organized our very first football tournament, featuring teams for kids under ten, those under fifteen, and even an adult team. It was a day filled with excitement, as both our under ten and adult teams performed admirably, defeating our highly skilled and energetic opponents.

Following the tournament, the spotlight shifted to beauty and fashion. Our young, talented, and creative women took the stage to showcase their skills, ranging from modeling to dancing, all while wearing bright smiles on their faces. The event was made even more special by the presence of Cindy, one of our generous sponsors, who witnessed the incredible talents and the vibrant program we had prepared.

A young boy passionately singing into a microphone with emotion and enthusiasm. — Ngong road children’s foundation

The entertainment continued with performances from various artists, dancers, and a particularly captivating show by our dance club. Your contributions played a crucial role in making this Saturday program a success, and words cannot express our gratitude adequately. We would like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for making the Teens Table Talents Day a success, not forgetting the children for their participation and enthusiasm. You can join us on this incredible journey with our children by volunteering, donating, or sponsoring a child. Remember, the most significant investment we can make is in our children’s future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPGvNKak_x4

September 1, 2023 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Ngong Road Children’s Foundation Participation in the 4th Annual Youth Climate Summit and Festival

The Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) recently had the privilege of participating in the 4th Annual Youth Climate Summit and Festival, a two-day event organized by the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). This event aimed to engage and empower Africa’s youth population to take meaningful action on climate change. The summit featured a range of objectives, including amplifying the voices of communities, highlighting young people as climate resilience ambassadors, and strategically developing pathways to influence sustainable climate change and development through collaboration with government agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector, and other industry players.

One of the highlights of our participation in this important summit was the involvement of our very own Employment Programs Officer, Martha Atieno, who is also an alumna of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Martha had the honor of being one of the panelists in discussions centered around the role of youth in addressing climate change. Her insights and expertise added a valuable perspective to the dialogue and emphasized the importance of involving young leaders in the fight against climate change.

Additionally, NRCF had the opportunity to be among the exhibitors at the event, where we showcased our organization’s mission to empower and transform lives through education. Our presence at the summit allowed us to connect with attendees, share information through brochures, and exchange ideas with those interested in supporting our mission. We were heartened to see the enthusiasm and interest from attendees at the summit who were eager to support our cause. Some individuals expressed a willingness to donate and contribute to our mission. To facilitate this support, we provided them with the necessary means to make contributions. We also emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling climate change and its interconnected challenges, including education and poverty alleviation. We hope that this engagement will lead to lasting partnerships and increased support for our initiatives.

Participating in the 4th Annual Youth Climate Summit and Festival was a significant milestone for the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation. It provided us with a platform to engage with like-minded organizations, share our mission, and garner support for our educational initiatives. The event also allowed us to contribute to important discussions on climate change and youth empowerment. We are committed to building on these connections and collaborations to further our mission of empowering and transforming lives through education, while also actively participating in the global effort to combat climate change.

August 30, 2023 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Risper’s Journey and Future Aspirations

My name is Risper, and I’m currently a dedicated form 4 candidate at St. Angela’s Girls High School. The journey I’ve undertaken to reach this point has been filled with challenges, but my determination and the support I have received have shaped me into who I am today. I reside in the humble area of Kawangware, alongside my loving parents and two wonderful siblings. Growing up, life presented its difficulties, and my parents faced the tough reality of not being able to afford my school fees. Consequently, there were instances where I was sent back home due to unpaid fees. Those were difficult times for me and my family, and it seemed like a dream to pursue education without financial constraints.

However, a turning point in my life came in 2014 when I was in grade 3. I had the privilege of joining Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), and from that moment, my educational journey took a positive turn. I was fortunate enough to enroll in Jagiet Academy, where I completed my primary education in 2019. The door to a brighter future was opened wider when I gained admission to St. Angela’s Girls High School in 2020.

Beyond academics, I’ve discovered my passion for sports and arts. Volleyball has become a significant part of my life, allowing me to learn valuable life skills while keeping physically active. Additionally, I’ve found immense joy in expressing myself through dance, which led me to become a part of the school’s dance group.

Currently, my focus is on preparing for the upcoming Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations scheduled for November. My goal is to achieve a B- grade, reflecting the dedication and hard work I’ve put into my studies. Looking ahead, I have aspirations of joining Dedan Kimathi University to pursue a course in journalism. My admiration for news anchor Jeff Koinange has fueled this interest, and I aspire to follow in his footsteps and make a meaningful impact through storytelling.

Furthermore, I have a strong desire to give back to my community through social work. I envision engaging in social work as a part-time endeavor, as I believe in the power of contributing positively to the lives of others.

None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my sponsors, Mike and Leah Switzer. Their generous sponsorship has not only allowed me to pursue my education but has also instilled in me a deep sense of gratitude. Additionally, I’m immensely thankful to the NRCF program for stepping into my life and making a lasting, positive impact.

Transform a child’s life today.

August 22, 2023 By Sallyanne Atieno Leave a Comment

Raymond, the Certified Full-Stack Developer

Raymond receives his certificate at the graduation ceremony

My name is Raymond and I embarked on my transformational journey when I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) in 2014. Back then, I was a student in grade 4 and I was really happy to become a part of NRCF and start my empowering journey in education. I joined Jagiet Academy where I completed my primary education. After primary school, I transitioned to Makwa Boys High School. This is where my passion for Computer Science began.

This newfound passion made me reconsider my childhood dream of becoming a doctor. Upon completion of my high school studies, I was eager to pursue a career in Software Engineering. I began the computer package training that Belmont College was offering under the program in January. In April, NRCF entered into a partnership with the DirectEd Development Foundation where high school graduates, would be trained in coding and developer skills. I was excited about this partnership, as I knew that it was exactly what I wanted to pursue.

Through my time learning from DirectEd tutors, I underwent a series of modules, each contributing to my growth. However, it was the final module that truly put my skills to the test.

The task was to develop an individual app project capable of addressing real-world problems. My project was termed the “Terminal” and it was a messaging app aimed at providing a platform for seamless communication. Despite the extensive knowledge I had gained, I still needed to bridge some gaps. In order to bridge these gaps, I embarked on another course to learn about socket.io. This is a technology that facilitates real-time and bidirectional communication between web clients.

Armed with this newfound knowledge, I returned to my project to enhance it. The results were impressive, as “Terminal” stood out as one of the best projects in the class, receiving a score of 60 out of 75. After all the learning, I finally secured merit in Full-Stack Development. I received my certificate during the graduation ceremony. It was held on the 16th of August for the 1st cohort of graduates from the DirectEd coding program. I felt honored.

I am grateful for the support from NRCF and for the learning at DirectEd that has propelled me towards my goal. Looking ahead, I am excited to continue building my skills, exploring new avenues in software development, and contributing to the ever-evolving world of technology.

Transform a life today.