Bellinda Githu Archives - Ngong Road Children's Foundation

Apr 30 2025

NRCF Hosts a Talent Show and Empowerment Workshops

On 26th April, Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF) hosted a vibrant and inspiring Talent Show at City Prime. The event brought together young performers from NRCF, Mathare Hope Achievers, and Mukuru Acrobatics. It celebrated creativity, resilience, and the incredible talents nurtured within our communities.

The Talent Show showcased a variety of performances, including dancing, acrobatics, traditional dance, taekwondo, and modeling. The audience was inspired by the children’s energy and passion. Beyond the performances, the day was also an opportunity to focus on important issues affecting young people today.

We were honored to partner with LadyAskari, a female-oriented security company, to deliver a powerful mentorship session on gender-based violence and child safety. Their team shared valuable lessons and practical strategies to help our children, especially girls, understand their rights and how to protect themselves.

Additionally, we partnered with the Give Her Confidence Organization to conduct a menstrual health training session for over 70 girls. This vital session helped demystify menstrual health and equipped the girls with the knowledge to manage their hygiene confidently. After the training, the girls received sanitary pads, part of which were generously donated by Kimfay.

The day was a beautiful blend of talent, learning, and empowerment, reflecting our commitment to nurturing well-rounded, confident, and safe young people.

A big thank you to all our partners, supporters, and the incredible children who made the day unforgettable!

Apr 25 2025

A Holiday Well Spent: Engaging Activities for NRCF Students

During this April school holiday, our students participated in a calendar full of engaging events. Holidays are meant for rest and spending time with family and friends. However, without structure or guidance, many students may engage in unsafe activities during their leisure time, such as drug and substance abuse. Some may even become victims of exploitation, including child abuse or sexual abuse.

A structured holiday program for growth and safety

This is why at NRCF, we are committed to providing our students with structure and guidance. This support helps them make the most of their leisure time through constructive activities. This April holiday, our programs have engaged both our primary and secondary school students. We implemented several initiatives focused on their well-being and development, including:

Library and study group sessions: Students spent their time on African Literature, fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Meanwhile, our dynamic study group sessions saw students actively engaging in revision, strengthening their grasp of school subjects through peer learning.

Coding bootcamp: The coding bootcamp at the Elimu hub focused on essential STEM education to support Kenya’s growing tech sector. We aim to empower students to be future innovators. Key areas included website development, coding foundations, problem-solving, and practical project-based learning. Each student completed a project, such as a portfolio website, personal blog, interactive quiz app, or online resume, to showcase their skills.

Mental Health & Drug Substance Abuse: During these sessions, students are equipped with essential skills to navigate adolescence. The sessions help students recognize emotions, develop coping strategies, and build self-esteem. Additionally, they learn about the risks of drug abuse. By fostering open conversations and providing support, NRCF creates a safe environment for students to prioritize mental well-being and make healthy choices for a brighter future.

Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH): In this holistic health program, our students got to understand the anatomy and physiology of their bodies. This empowers them to remain free from unintended pregnancies, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases.

This April holiday highlighted how much NRCF cares about helping students grow in various ways. By combining learning, tech skills, and essential life lessons in a safe and supportive environment, we ensured that the holiday was both beneficial and secure for students. Our aim is holistic development, equipping students with educational, technological, and vital life skills for a brighter future. Join us in transforming lives!

Apr 17 2025

Marion: Top Performing Student and Aspiring Nutritionist

Marion, a Grade 9 student, has achieved remarkable academic success. Recently, she excelled in her end-of-term exams and became the top-performing student in her class, surpassing 92 of her classmates. Among the subjects in which she excelled are Integrated Science, Mathematics, Pre-Technical Studies, and English. Since joining the organization in 2019 as a Grade 3 student, Marion has shown great academic potential. Her strong performance across various subjects reflects her well-rounded intellect and dedication to her education.

Marion attributes her success to the support and opportunities that Ngong Road Children’s Foundation has provided her. “Ngong Road Children’s Foundation has supported my academic journey by providing school fees and learning materials.” She shared. She has also benefited from the various programs the organization runs for the welfare of our children. These include; computer studies, STEM education programs, book club, and art classes. Marion says that these have fostered her knowledge of technology, love for literature, and creativity.

In the future, Marion aspires to become a nutritionist. She hopes to help her community achieve better health through improved nutrition. With her dedication to education and the ongoing support of the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation, her dreams are attainable. Her greatest motivation is to be a role model for her younger siblings and peers. Aside from her academic abilities, Marion is a friendly and hardworking individual, which contributes to her success. She enjoys listening to music and loves dancing with her friends. As a member of the NRCF Dance Crew, she participates in dance sessions during our Saturday Child Development Programme.

Join us in transforming lives!

Apr 15 2025

Empowering alumni through the Small Business Management Training

The Ngong Road Children Foundation is conducting a three-month small business management training program that started on March 22, 2025. Empowerment can turn talents into meaningful opportunities. This training program is dedicated to 24 unemployed alumni with various craft skills. By providing them with the necessary tools and support, we aim to help these individuals transform their skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The 10-week training is being conducted at our Elimu hub and facilitated by the Upcoming African Youth Organisation. It is led by experienced trainer Felix Orwaka. This collaboration ensures that our alumni receive high-quality, practical instruction.

The small business management training program provides the alumni with a thorough understanding of essential business principles, strategies, and practices. Key modules covered include:

Understanding entrepreneurship, business management essentials, and business startups
Business scaling and fundraising
Financial literacy
Business Strategy Development, developing effective business plans, and executing those plans successfully.

Upon completion of this valuable training, the trainees will be required to pitch their business proposals and request a startup toolkit from the organization to support their ventures and increase their chances of success.

In addition to providing the necessary resources, NRCF will conduct assessments of the small businesses to ensure that owners are generating enough income to sustain their livelihoods and improve their quality of life. This exciting initiative aims to enhance the performance of their businesses, leading to higher productivity and growth.

Our goal as an organization is to transform the lives of our alumni, helping them to improve their situation by creating these employment opportunities.

Apr 14 2025

NGOs in Kenya transforming lives in the slum areas of Nairobi

For many in Nairobi’s widespread, densely populated slum areas, daily life presents a series of seemingly unbeatable challenges. Limited access to basic necessities, inadequate infrastructure, and economic hardship create a cycle that can be difficult to break. However, amidst these struggles, a powerful force for change is at work: non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations are not merely providing aid; they are cultivating lasting transformation, empowering residents not just to survive but to thrive.

The Impact of Ngong Road Children’s Foundation in Dagoretti

One exemplary organization making a profound difference is the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation. Focused on Dagoretti Slums, a particularly challenging area within Nairobi, this NGO is demonstrating the power of holistic support. Their approach goes beyond necessities to address the root causes of poverty through comprehensive programs.

Education as a Pathway: Ngong Road Children’s Foundation recognizes that education is the basis of empowerment. They provide children from underprivileged backgrounds access to quality education. From primary school through to college/university education, they ensure that children within Dagoretti have the tools to build a brighter future. By paying school fees, providing school supplies, and offering mentorship, they are breaking down barriers to learning.
Holistic Support: Beyond education, the foundation understands the importance of addressing other critical needs. They ensure that children have access to healthcare, nutritious meals, and emotional support, creating a stable foundation for their development.
Mentorship and guidance: The organization provides excellent mentorship programs that help children navigate life and make informed choices. This helps them to be well-rounded individuals.

The impact of Ngong Road Children’s Foundation is evident in the stories of the residents themselves. Children who once faced limited opportunities are now excelling in school, pursuing higher education, and venturing into once-unimaginable careers. Families who struggle to provide for their children are finding hope and stability.

Other NGOs Making a Difference

Other organizations are also working tirelessly to create positive change:

Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO): SHOFCO’s model integrates schools, health clinics, and community centers, providing a comprehensive approach to development in slums like Kibera. They focus on education for girls, healthcare, and clean water access.
Carolina for Kibera (CFK): CFK fosters community-driven development through youth programs, sports initiatives, and economic empowerment projects. They emphasize local leadership and participation.
Jamii Bora Trust: This organization focuses on economic empowerment, providing microfinance and business training to women in slums, enabling them to create sustainable livelihoods.
Soul Mentor CBO: Soul Mentor CBO, operating within the slums of Mathare and Kibera, focuses on empowering individuals to drive sustainable development. Their work centers around three key pillars: community empowerment through leadership training for local CBOs, sustainable livelihood programs that support single mothers in an eco-friendly fashion, and child education and welfare initiatives that ensure children stay in school through health support and feeding programs.

The work of these NGOs extends far beyond immediate relief. By investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, they are creating a significant effect that transforms entire communities. Residents gain the tools to break the cycle of poverty, build sustainable livelihoods, and contribute to the development of their neighborhoods.

You can support our transformative work by volunteering your time or donating resources toward our initiatives. Together, we can create a brighter future for the residents of the Dagoretti slums.