Friends of Ngong Road

We empower Nairobi children living in poverty to transform their lives through education and support, leading to employment.

By Leave a Comment

Meet Edmond, an aspiring lawyer

My name is Edmond, and I joined the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation in 2014. Before joining the program, life was challenging for my brother and me. We were under the care of our aunt, who had her own child, which made it difficult for her to meet our basic needs. She struggled to afford food, shelter, and school fees for all three of us. Fortunately, my aunt learned about NRCF and the impact it has on providing education to underprivileged children. Desiring a better life for me, she sought their support. She applied, and after the interview process, I was accepted into the sponsorship program.

I completed my primary education at Nelson Mandela Primary School, where I built a solid foundational knowledge. I then transitioned to Agoro Sare High School for my secondary education, a time of further learning and personal development. During this period, I actively participated in transformative programs offered by NRCF, including life skills training and mental health awareness.

I worked hard academically and achieved a B grade in my secondary school examinations, graduating from high school in 2024. This achievement is particularly meaningful to me as it symbolizes a victory over the challenges my brother and I encountered in our early years. In addition to my academic pursuits, I have always enjoyed playing football and the mental challenge of solving puzzles.  These hobbies provide a welcome balance to my studies.

Looking toward the future, I have a strong aspiration to pursue a degree in Law at the University of Nairobi. The dedication and exemplary leadership of the current president of the Law Society of Kenya, Faith Odhiambo, serve as a powerful inspiration for me. Therefore, I hope to contribute to the justice system and make a positive impact on society through law.

The support I have received from NRCF has been invaluable throughout my journey. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities they have provided. I want to thank the organization and my sponsor for investing in me. They have not only supported my education but also nurtured my interests and aspirations. I am excited about the future and determined to make the most of the foundation that has been laid for me.

Join us in transforming lives!

By Leave a Comment

Guiding Students to Successful Post-secondary Careers

The joy of participating in building your future career is unmatched. In the 2025 Scholarship Committee meeting, recent high school graduates were interviewed for university scholarships.

As part of the interview process, the students were asked to explain their chosen career paths and the reasons behind their selections. This activity empowers them to make informed choices and ensures a high completion rate of postsecondary education among our students. This leads to them getting employment, which transforms their lives.

The committee reviewed 16 scholarship applications from 2024 high school graduates and one student from the class of 2023. They assessed each student’s choices, evaluated their understanding of these choices, and ensured alignment with their interests and strengths. Additionally, they provided advice and guidance on the next steps related to these selections. When necessary, they collaborated with students to revise their choices.


After a thorough evaluation, the scholarship committee approved 6 students to pursue STEM-related courses, 4 for social sciences, and 7 for arts and sports courses.

They also made several important recommendations to NRCF to enhance the support provided to students through the scholarship program. It was noted that some students lacked assertiveness and would benefit from coaching and mentorship to develop essential soft skills such as communication. This will empower the students to have successful post-secondary careers. Join us in transforming a life. 

By Leave a Comment

NRCF Founder And Sponsors Visit Kenya

Our Founder and President, Paula Meyer, recently visited us in Kenya, accompanied by a group of generous sponsors. Their trip focused on engaging with the children we support, observing the impact of our programs in Kenya, and discussing our plans for the exciting future of NRCF.

Paula engaged with our dedicated staff and leadership team to discuss the foundation’s five-year plan to support 1,000 children by the year 2030 and reviewed strategies for sustainable growth. They discussed various strategies to amplify our impact and extend our support to help more children in need.

The sponsors met with current students and alumni who shared their success stories and expressed gratitude for the transformative support of the NRCF and our impact in Kenya. They created lasting memories by sharing lunch and shopping trips with their sponsored students. They also joined our Saturday Child Development  Program where they laughed, played games, and built connections with the children. Additionally, they visited the homes of some beneficiaries to meet their families.

During the trip, Paula and the sponsors got to experience the beauty of Kenya. They visited the Giraffe Center to interact with the gentle giants Elephant Orphanage to see baby elephants and the historic home of Karen Blixen. They also enjoyed thrilling safaris in national parks like Amboseli, Samburu, and Maasai Mara, hoping to see amazing wildlife.

Join us in transforming lives today!

By Leave a Comment

John’s Memorable Visit to Kenya

Ngong Road Children's Foundation

I joined the Board of Friends of Ngong Road in 2020. Having been a sponsor for over 15 years and supporting the education of three students (two of whom are currently in high school), I have wanted to visit Kenya for many years and finally had the opportunity in October to see the program in person.

The experience was incredible. The highlight, of course, was meeting our sponsored students, Dennis and Wycliffe. We had been communicating for years, but to finally meet in person was something special. One day we went to the Elephant Orphanage, spent an afternoon go-karting, and did some shopping at a local mall (all first for the boys). I visited their homes where I met some of their siblings and saw how they live. Seeing the slums up close and the challenges they endure is very different from anything I have seen in the United States. Despite the challenges, they are two wonderful, resilient young men, working hard on their studies and excited about the future. The support they are receiving from the program has and will continue to change the trajectory of their lives.

Ngong Road Children's Foundation

Paula (Friends of Ngong Road founder) and I ventured out of Nairobi with five alumni on a day safari to Lake Naivasha and the Crescent Island Game Sanctuary. Noah, a graduate of the program with whom I have been corresponding for years, was one of the alumni who joined us. It was incredible to walk the trails and see the variety of animals up close – no fences!   Over lunch, the alumni shared how much the program changed their lives, not only with the opportunity to go to a great school but also with the additional support and training they received to help them be successful. They are so grateful for it all. Most of them have great jobs and are now living on their own away from the slums.

On the following day, I visited three of our focus schools to learn about the local education system and how each school prepares its students for success. The school visits inspired further discussions on ways to enhance educational opportunities for future students. 

I also spent time with the staff, learning more about the work they do. In particular, I worked with the marketing and IT team, brainstorming ways to raise awareness and convey the uniqueness of the program to Kenyans. I was impressed by how organized, professional, and passionate the entire staff is.  They are the ones that make it all happen and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated team.

It was a busy five days, but an experience I will never forget. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity and blessed with the engagement I had with so many wonderful people. Since my trip, our family has decided to sponsor another student, 10-year-old Mourine who had been waiting over a year for a sponsor.  We are excited to be part of her journey.

By Leave a Comment

Elizabeth’s US Visit Inspires Supporters

In October, Elizabeth, an alumnus of the program and a Junior Advisory Board Member of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF- our operating partner in Nairobi), visited the United States for the first time. Elizabeth is the first program graduate to become a lawyer.  She was invited as a special guest for the 2024 Community Gathering for Friends of Ngong Road.  She is an example of the impact of our program and the success that can be achieved.   

The community gathering in Minneapolis brought together supporters, staff, board members and sponsors all of whom have provided critical support for our mission. Elizabeth shared a unique perspective on her journey from the slums of Nairobi to being employed by a prestigious law firm. 

Her life took a transformative turn in fourth grade when she joined the Friends of Ngong Road program and was matched with a sponsor. She found the much-needed support for her education. She embraced the opportunity with commitment and determination, achieving success through excellent academic performance. Elizabeth shared how the Friends of Ngong Road program provided her with invaluable opportunities and support that have propelled her educational journey. Elizabeth’s success shows that with the right support, and personal determination, a child is capable of transforming their life.

Reflecting on the occasion, she said, “It was interesting to meet all the individuals who attended and gain insight and advice related to my career. The warmth and encouragement I received were inspiring, and I left with a renewed commitment to contribute to positive change.”

Her journey was filled with meaningful encounters, including a special meeting with her sponsors (Steve Smith and Deborah Zvosec) who have supported her educational journey. In addition to the Community Gathering, she presented at a reception hosted by Board Member Kim Jenson in St. Petersburg, Florida just before the hurricane arrived. She presented at small gatherings with donors and sponsors in Minneapolis, Edina, Stillwater, and Eastern Wisconsin. 

Elizabeth made important connections in the legal community. She had a meeting with Kathleen Blatz, a longtime FoNR donor and the first female Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court. She toured the Faegre Drinker headquarters in Minneapolis with Nate Brennaman and Julia Cross, who sponsor a student in our program. Lane Ayres, Director of the Law & Democracy Initiative at Books For Africa, engaged Elizabeth in the coordination of a donated Thomson Reuters law reference library at the International Federation of Women Lawyers. These lawyers who are also devoted to social justice have inspired Elizabeth’s career and personal philanthropy goals. 

Elizabeth expressed deep gratitude for her trip, “I am immensely thankful to Ngong Road Children’s Foundation and Friends of Ngong Road for this life-changing opportunity. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of everyone involved in these organizations, and I am inspired to give back and support others as they have supported me.”