Building OpportunityThrough Educationand Self-Reliance

Nabongo Philanthropy was inspired by the life of Eng. Sylvester Muchinyi, a well-read man who valued education and the opportunities it created. He also valued self-employment initiatives. Consequently, his family established the foundation to carry out that legacy forward through various projects in Kenya.

The first project supports Bright Star Junior School in Njoro, Nakuru County, a learning centre founded by Lydiah Muhonja with the help of Edward Mwendwa (the late Sylvester’s sister and brother in law respectively), who both offered free land for this project. This land was courtesy of Mzee Alfayo Mwendwa who was the original owner of the land where the school is built. Mzee Alfayo Mwendwa was the late Sylvester’s father in law and loved him dearly.

Since opening with five learners, the school has grown while pursuing its mission of providing holistic, quality education. The school is still at the Early Child Development hence consists of a playgroup for 3 year old, a pre-primary level 1 for 4 year olds and a pre-primary level II for 5 year olds. The ultimate plan will be to build out Grades 1 to 10 in the near future.

Plans are underway to integrate an arm of health care at the school and meet the community’s common and simple health needs with emphasis on preventive care given that multiple members of the late Sylvester Muchinyi are in the medical field.

A current second ongoing project teaches women and young people the practical skills of poultry farming—from incubation and rearing to selling eggs, chicks, and mature birds—so they can build their own sources of income. Nabongo Philanthropy also plans to establish a library and learning centre in Sylvester’s home village giving the community access to books, study space, and educational programs. Together, all these projects honor Sylvester’s love of learning by helping others gain knowledge, opportunity, and greater independence.