Thanks to you, Derrick found the courage to say "I can" at camp 2017.
Camp 2017 was held near Mt. Kenya, a serene, peaceful part of Kenya. Students rode buses for three and a half hours to the rented boarding school and were anxious to have fun with friends while exploring a new part of their country.
Again this year we saw that camp is one of the most effective community-building parts of the Friends of Ngong Road program. Students, staff, board members, and volunteers were together in one, safe place. Students realized that they are not alone, but are part of the Ngong Road Children Association family. They got to know their caseworker better. They learned about another culture from several Tulane students and other volunteers who traveled to camp to help conduct the program. They ate three healthy meals a day, learned about topics they do not get in school such as leadership and confidence building, and they had fun.
Because of you, Derrick and over 300 students discovered more about what they can do. The $10,000 match was met, and all students who were available to attend camp were given the opportunity to attend. Thank you for caring. Thank you for saying "I Can" send a kid to camp so that students can say "I can transform my life." Thank you.
Emily was one of the first two students in the program, because she has been sponsored since 2006 by Paula & Kurt Meyer. Emily is an orphan who has grown up in the same house with her cousin Irene Nyambura (also in the program), Irene's mother (who is her aunt) and her grandmother. Emily graduated from Nelson Mandela Academy and completed her secondary education at StephJoy Academy in 2014. After secondary school Emily attended Nairobi University where she earned a diploma in Procurement and Supplies Management. Today Emily works as the Procurement Officer at Ngong Road Children Association in Nairobi.
Emily has faced many challenges during her growing up years. When children are orphans in Kenya, sometimes other family members tell them they are bewitched or cursed. Emily has faced this burden. Although her family has usually had enough food to eat and she has had a place to live, life for Emily has been challenging without parents to guide and support her. Ngong Road Children Association has played an important role in her development.
During her high school years, Emily served as a leader in camp for three years in a row. She has a steadfast, loving personality who has made it through her teenage years with relatively little drama.
Thanks to those who "sent a kid to camp" this year; Camp 2017 is in full swing! The four-day Leadership Camp is wrapping up today and Grammar Camp (students age 10-13) begins tomorrow. Students are packing their warmest clothes as they head to this year's camp located near Mt. Kenya at Naromoru Girls Secondary School in Nyeri County, which is about a three and a half hour drive from Nairobi where temperatures range 55-70 degrees Fahrenheit during August.
Nine U.S. volunteers arrived safely in Kenya late last week and are actively involved in creating a positive camp experience. They are teaching classes, playing games and building relationships with our students.
We anticipate the area near camp will remain calm in the coming weeks. Energy will remain high at camp with fun, learning and memories abounding. Check back to our news page and social media for future updates on camp!
If you are interested in helping to make camp possible for years to come through a gift to the Gleason Camp Endowment Fund, or you have questions about this year's camp, please contact Development Director, Lacey Kraft at lacey@ngongroad.org or 612-568-4211.