On Ngong Road, a city moves—matatus and motorbikes, students and shopkeepers, the everyday rhythm of a Tuesday morning in a city of six million. Everywhere in that city, abuzz, you find potential and opportunity searching for each other. For twenty years now, bringing them together has been our core mission at Friends of Ngong Road.
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of seeing that work up close alongside travel companions Leslie, Anne, Naomi, and Keith. What we found was momentum: in the way our team moves, in the way our students carry themselves, and in our 2026 pilot program, which launched 100 new students into our community this year alone.
Celebrating 20 Years of Momentum
We felt that the momentum most around shared tables. On Saturday evening, nearly forty staff, board members, and volunteers gathered for a 20th-anniversary dinner. The celebration continued cheerfully, even after a local power cut, proving that the spirit of our community is unshakable.
From there, the week shifted into our primary programming:
- School Visits: We toured the new Lenana WorldComp campus and visited Kahuho Road Academy, which together educate roughly 100 of our students.
- Hands-on Learning: We observed life skills and mental health classes and spent time at Elimu Hub, where students explored 3D printing and robotics.
- Alumni Success: Our alumni team hosted a panel with twelve graduates, showcasing the long-term impact of our work.
Expansion and Technology
The week was a whirlwind of activity across Nairobi and beyond. While Leslie and Naomi traveled to Lake Naivasha for a post-secondary student camp, Keith worked with our team on critical technology improvements. Anne spent valuable time with case managers and leadership to ensure our operations remain student-focused.
These efforts are backed by the incredible data from our April impact update:
- 380+ active students currently in the program.
- 100 new students were welcomed in the largest expansion in our history.
- Thousands of meals provided and hundreds of hours of life-changing programming delivered.
Partnerships for the Future
Our work does not happen in isolation. We were graciously hosted by partners across Nairobi, including the KCB Foundation, the Kenya Community Development Foundation, CFK Africa, and Kenya Works.
During our meetings, including a session with our new Nairobi fundraising hire, Emily, we focused on one central question: What does it take to close the gap between potential and opportunity at scale for another twenty years?
A Quiet Confidence
I returned home reflecting on the faces of our students, alumni, and team. I saw determination, resilience, and a quiet confidence that what we are building together actually works.
Deep thanks go to Kelvin and the entire NRCF staff, our boards, our volunteers, and every donor who made this trip possible.
Watch the video of our time in Kenya below, and read our full April impact update at impact.ngongroad.org.
Thank you for being a Friend,
Dan
President, Friends of Ngong Road