Ndoto’s sponsorship program is far more than just school fees and backpacks, and there’s one group of students that receives special investment and has become the envy of younger students. In Kenya, high school graduates take high-stakes exams in November, then spend December and January awaiting their scores. Then comes six months of applying to colleges and waiting to find out what the next chapter holds.
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In that stretch of time, Ndoto has built an intensive mentorship program. After they finished exams, we celebrated the graduates with a luncheon. The staff said you could feel the rush of freedom with a unique blend of excitement, sense of accomplishment, anticipation, and a bit of anxiety. For underprivileged students given a hand up by Ndoto, the future feels both full of possibilities and full of unknowns.
The next months of mentorship will see the students exposed to values, life skills, career paths, and more, as our team and guest speakers equip young men and women for a wise transition to different pathways. The program epitomizes Ndoto’s holistic strategies that include intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development.
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A local interior designer named Chelsea graced one session with the students. She shared her real-life success journey as an entrepreneur in a talk dubbed, “From Passion to Profit.” We talked about common fears and misconceptions, as well as overcoming the challenges of starting your own business. By focusing on something they love, they can overcome obstacles and stay committed to their goals.
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The group this year has also learned from Ndoto’s director, Allison, on risk-taking. “Taking risk is about being willing to step out into uncertainty and trusting that you’ll figure things out,” she shared. “It’s about growth, even when things don’t seem to go as planned. The success stories, great achievements, and personal milestones are a result of the willingness to take a chance.” Many of you know that this epitomizes Allison’s own experience traveling to Kenya and then launching Ndoto.
The most recent session was led by our own staff on the promises and pitfalls of technology and media. The modern tech sector influences everything from social interactions to career development to mental health, while many jobs are increasingly dependent on digital skills. We talked about the use of technology in various fields while also warning about the distractions offered online.
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Following on the huge success of last year’s 7-month program, our team decided to extend our invitation this year to other local high school students. Instead of only our 25 sponsored high school graduates, our team now gets the opportunity to mentor 77 students who are preparing to be the next generation of Kenya’s leaders.
