FRIENDS OF NGONG ROAD — 2025

OUTCOMES REPORT

OUTCOME: EMPLOYMENT

3 out of 4 alumni are employed

Our employment rate is far above national averages which indicate unemployment among 18 - 35 year olds hovering around 60%.

Kelvin Thuku

Program Director

As I reflect on my 12-year journey with our work, my heart is filled with gratitude and pride for the incredible transformation we’ve witnessed together. When I joined in 2013, it was as a humble computer lab instructor — spending my days teaching hundreds of eager young minds how to use a keyboard, browse the internet, and dream beyond their circumstances.

Today, many of those same children have graduated, and the majority are gainfully employed. Watching them grow from shy, uncertain students into confident, capable, and independent young adults has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Their stories are living proof that this program works.

With a youth employment rate of 70% as of 2025, our graduates stand out in a country where many young people struggle to find work. This achievement would not have been possible without you — our sponsors, donors, and partners — whose commitment to quality education and holistic support has made all the difference. You have not only paid school fees; you have fueled dreams, built futures, and changed lives.

GROWTH

A YEAR OF
OUTCOME: WOMEN THRIVING

Nearly 2 out of 3 alumni are women

And are employed at rates 20 points higher than their male peers.

Dan Fernelius

President

A YEAR OF

Momentum

Looking at our outcomes this year, what I’m most proud of is not any single milestone, but the steadiness of the work and the people behind it. I’ve had the chance to spend real time with our team in Kenya, listen closely to students and alumni, and reconnect with supporters who have carried this organization for nearly two decades. What I see again and again is how a brighter future begins with hope — hope sparked in a classroom, in a relationship, or in the belief that education can open doors.

The goal of this Outcomes Report is to bring our work to life in a way that helps you feel a little bit closer, that brings you face to face with students despite being an ocean apart. Our outcomes reflect years of sustained support, careful partnership with our Kenyan colleagues, and a shared understanding that education paired with stability and mentorship creates real opportunity — and a sense of belonging.

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who makes our mission possible — our sponsors, donors, staff, board, and partners in Kenya. Your support shows up every day in ways that are both visible and behind the scenes. Thank you for trusting Friends of Ngong Road, for your commitment, and for being part of a community that continues to show up, year after year. Together, that makes all the difference.

Thank you for being a Friend.

OUTCOME: LEADERSHIP

2 out of 3 alumni hold leadership positions

And 21% of students report receiving a promotion in the last year.

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ACTIVE STUDENTS

Partnering with students for more than a decade, our students join the program typically in fourth grade and continue through post-secondary.

Throughout the program, each students is paired with a case manager, engages in regular programming outside of school, and becomes part of a caring community centered on commitment and belonging.

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ALUMNI

OUTCOME: FAMILY IMPACT

3 out of 4 alumni are primary providers for their household

And 61% of students report personal savings, signaling financial stability.

Education is our cornerstone, but our holistic program surrounds students with healthcare, nutrition, community support, and pathways to employment.

Elimu Hub is home to our library and computer lab, and it’s where much of our work beyond the classroom comes to life.

Surrounding Elimu Hub is our campus, which includes our offices, kitchen, and outdoor space—and it’s where many activities, including STEM Camp, take place.

All About
STEM Camp

Across three weeks, students in Grades 7, 8, and 9 participated in grade-specific STEM programming that emphasized experimentation, collaboration, and real-world application.

Students built and programmed robots, explored ecosystems and water contamination, engineered wind turbines, conducted chemistry and food science experiments, and designed biomimicry-inspired solutions to practical challenges.

PROGRAM DEEP DIVE

Kids being kids:
Grammar Camp

While the majority of our time and focus is spent on ensuring students complete their education, each end of. year holiday our team puts together Grammar Camp — a day for our grammar-school-age kids to simply be kids. 

PROGRAM DEEP DIVE

A decade-long commitment to building a brighter future.

We work with local schools so students can stay rooted in their communities for primary school — and so getting to school is one less thing standing in their way. We partner with students through post-secondary and into employment.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Meet Marion

When Marion joined our community in 2019 as a Grade 3 student, there was no way to predict exactly where her path would lead — only that she was curious, committed, and ready to learn. Today, Marion is a Grade 9 student and the top performer in her class, finishing first among 92 classmates. Her strength spans Integrated Science, Mathematics, Pre-Technical Studies, and English — a reflection not just of academic ability, but of focus, discipline, and an eagerness to take advantage of the opportunities placed in front of her.

Marion is quick to point out that her success stems from access to programs that extend learning beyond the classroom — including computer studies, STEM education, book clubs, and art classes. These experiences have helped her build confidence with technology, deepen her love of reading, and explore her creativity. Together, they’ve created an environment where effort is rewarded and potential is nurtured.

Looking ahead, Marion hopes to become a nutritionist, motivated by a desire to help her community achieve better health through improved nutrition. She also takes pride in being a role model to her younger siblings and peers. Outside the classroom, she’s a friendly, hardworking presence — someone who loves music, dancing with friends, and participating in the NRCF Dance Crew during our Saturday Child Development Program. Marion’s story is still unfolding, but it’s already a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when consistent support meets determination — and why your partnership matters so deeply.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Meet Emmanuel

Emmanuel Titi always recognized how valuable his education was. With the support of his sponsor behind him, he approached his studies with genuine gratitude and unwavering commitment. Throughout his school years, Emmanuel demonstrated remarkable determination; he didn’t just meet expectations, he exceeded them. Despite the challenges and distractions that came his way, he stayed focused and consistently worked hard.

His journey is a powerful reminder of how meaningful support, paired with a student’s dedication, can open doors to life-changing opportunities. Watching Emmanuel remain true to his dream of completing his education and building a brighter future was truly inspiring. Yet his story didn’t stop once he secured employment. In a heartfelt expression of appreciation and generosity, Emmanuel made a decision that speaks volumes about his character. He chose to become a sponsor himself.

Today, Emmanuel is supporting a child through our organization, offering another young person the same transformative chance he once received. His decision represents a beautiful full-circle moment of kindness. It reflects his deep understanding of how critical that early support was in shaping his own life. Emmanuel has grown from being a success story into a role model, someone who is giving back, lifting others, and ensuring that the cycle of hope and opportunity continues for the next generation.

TAKEN TOGETHER, WE'RE BUILDING

An ever widening circle of positive change

Sparking hope in youth and sustaining that throughout their education leads to students who create positive change not just in their own life, but for their family and community, their friends and neighbors.

2025 Graduates

We are so proud of the more than 40 students graduating from the program this year. Earning certificates, diplomas, and degrees, their journey with Friends now enters a new phase as alumni. Many alumni remain very active in our community, attending programs, stopping by the office, and supporting each other as they navigate early adulthood.

Huldah | Bernard | Peter | Pamela | Esther | Jane | Jamillah | Edda | Rashid | Freshia | Sheridan | Grace | Derrick |

Huldah | Bernard | Peter | Pamela | Esther | Jane | Jamillah | Edda | Rashid | Freshia | Sheridan | Grace | Derrick |

Raymond | Job | Ouma | Winnie | Stephen | Harold | Brayan | Molly | Amos | Josphine | Nashon | Jackline | Ali | Lucy | Edmond |

Raymond | Job | Ouma | Winnie | Stephen | Harold | Brayan | Molly | Amos | Josphine | Nashon | Jackline | Ali | Lucy | Edmond |

Jeniffer | Felix | Ihaji | Griffin | Sarah | Faith | Ndinya | Davis | Nicole | Sharon | Jedida | Noella | Sarah | Joy | Willis | Maxwell | Owino |

Jeniffer | Felix | Ihaji | Griffin | Sarah | Faith | Ndinya | Davis | Nicole | Sharon | Jedida | Noella | Sarah | Joy | Willis | Maxwell | Owino |

A brighter future is sparked with hope, sustained through commitment, and renewed by belonging.

Together, that makes all the difference.”

“

PAULA MEYER
FOUNDER

Thank you for being a Friend

  • Sponsors have access to our portal where they can see the latest about their student(s) and send messages back and forth.

    Visit ngongroad.org/portal

  • Friends make our work possible. You can become a Friend when you donate to support our Scholarship Fund or sponsor a Student.

    For more, visit ngongroad.org/be-a-friend/

  • Our mission is realized daily, and while we won’t email you every day, we’d love to keep you updated on the latest.

    Sign up for email updates at:

    ngongroad.org/hello

  • New to Friends? You’ll find much more about our locally-led work in Kenya at

    ngongroad.org