Project Pamoja! Build the school of tomorrow

A School Year in Review: A Year of Firsts, Growth, and Shared Achievements

What an extraordinary year this has been for our Volunteers Foundation community - filled with learning, joy, and moments that remind us why we believe so strongly in the power of education.

We began the academic year in January with a milestone that reflects years of shared effort and commitment. Thanks to the redevelopment of Volunteers Foundation Academy, we welcomed our youngest learners for the very first time, opening Pre-Primary 1 and Pre-Primary 2. Seeing four- and five-year-olds walk into their classrooms with confidence and curiosity was a powerful reminder of why VF exists: every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and thrive from the earliest years.

In March, we were thrilled to host a dedicated group of volunteers who travelled to Kibera to spend time with our students, support classroom activities, and contribute to community projects. Their presence brought fresh energy, new learning opportunities, and strengthened the bonds within our now well-established VF community, reminding us how powerful connection and shared purpose can be. 

This year we also introduced our new House System, designed to nurture positive discipline, teamwork, and school spirit. The children, and the teachers, embraced it wholeheartedly, and weekly and termly celebrations quickly became a highlight for everyone. 

Our talented performers lit up the stage at the Music Festival, filling the school with rhythm, creativity, and joyful expression - proof of the incredible potential that emerges when children feel supported and encouraged. 

From April to September, all learners participated in Drop & Read, dedicating over 30 minutes each afternoon to explore books and stories. This simple daily habit has ignited a love of reading, strengthened literacy skills, and opened new worlds of imagination.

 In August, we were delighted to welcome our founders and volunteers for their second 2025 visit. Their time on the ground allowed them to start planning for 2026 and to connect with students and teachers, witness recent progress first hand and meet with parents and local partners who play an essential role in our community. 

A significant milestone followed later in the year, in November: our Grade 6 students sat their national KNEC exams for the first time in our own school. This was not only a moment of achievement but also a celebration of hard work, resilience, and the high standards shared across our teaching team. 

In November too, creativity came to life once again, when our students collaborated with the Wild Mural Projects  to paint vibrant new murals throughout the school. These artworks bring the beauty of Kenya’s nature into our learning spaces and inspire children to stay curious, imaginative, and connected to the world around them. 

We closed the school year with an enriching ICT training for teachers, delivered by the Human Needs Project. This training equipped our educators with new digital tools for lesson planning and learning delivery - strengthening the quality of education we provide every day. 

Every VF number tells a story - of a child learning, a teacher growing, a volunteer showing up and a community growing stronger. This year, those stories added up to:  

• * 180+ children educated at Volunteers Foundation Academy primary school
• * 140+ children in Junior Secondary and Secondary school supported with school fees
• * 360 hours of teacher training conducted
• * 38,000+ meals provided
• * 40+ hours of mentoring provided to Junior Secondary and Secondary school students
• * 40+ hours of reading club run by volunteers on Zoom

This has truly been a year shaped by community, collaboration, and a shared belief in the potential of every child. We are deeply grateful to our students, teachers, parents, volunteers, and supporters who continue to walk this journey with us. Together, we are building a school where every child feels seen, valued, supported, and inspired to become who they are meant to be.   

Thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make this possible. Your kindness continues to reach far beyond the moment you gave, creating ripples of impact that touch many lives.

We wish you an amazing 2026

Paola & Monica

on behalf of the VF Team

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

As we look back on the past year, our hearts are full of gratitude. Thanks to your generosity, the last year has been a year of transformation for our students at Volunteers Foundation Academy. The completion of our new school building last August has changed everything: the way our children learn, the way they play, and the way they feel about coming to school every day.

This August, our founders, Monica and Andrea, returned from Kenya where they had the joy of witnessing the 2025 school term beginning in this new phase of Volunteers Foundation Academy. Monica shared her experience with us in these words:

“When I walked into the new building on the first day of term, I was greeted by children full of smiles and energy. Their joy was contagious. They had missed their friends and the sense of belonging that school brings. The classrooms came alive with their presence and laughter, yet there was also a quiet confidence and focus during the lessons. In those moments, I felt once again the confirmation that the dream we had carried for so long had finally become reality. This school is more than walls and a roof - it is hope, safety, and opportunity.”

During her visit, Monica and Andrea also met with many of the parents. They spent time in lengthy conversations about planning for 2026 and the future direction of the school. The feedback was very positive. Parents spoke passionately about their desire for the Academy to thrive and to be part of the Volunteers Foundation journey of transformation. Their involvement give us great confidence as we take the next steps forward.

The sense of safety and security in the new building has blossomed into visible happiness - more smiles, more confidence, and more motivation to learn. And with this new environment, our academy has grown. Student numbers increased by 30% this year, opening doors for many more children in the community to access quality education. With this growth came extra currricular activities that have enriched the lives of our students:

• Tailoring Club continued into its second year, giving students the chance to learn sewing - a simple but lifelong skill that builds both confidence and independence.

• Dance sessions filled the school with laughter and movement, helping children release stress and recharge their spirits in the face of daily challenges.

• Art activities became a cornerstone of learning. We believe that education is about more than tests and textbooks. Art is not a luxury; it is a vital part of our students’ success. As Picasso said, “Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life.” We see this every day as creative expression helps our students to focus, reduce stress, and build resilience. Our classrooms are full of artistic energy that awaits to be discovered, and students find their voices and unlocking their potential through creativity. 

• Academic performance overall has risen, as the calm and secure environment allows students to concentrate and engage more fully in their studies.

These are more than just activities. They are life-changing opportunities for children who face significant challenges every day. And they were only possible because of you.

Yet, while we celebrate these milestones, our journey is not finished. We now dream of completing the school by developing a dedicated sports area. On 20% of our 744sqm space, we plan to create a multipurpose surface where children can play five a side football, basketball, and other games, alongside a safe play area designed for our youngest learners aged four and five. Physical activity is essential to healthy growth, teamwork, and joy, and we want our students to have these opportunities every single day.

We are now fundraising for this next step, and we warmly invite you to continue this journey with us. Every gift - big or small - brings us closer to giving our children the complete, well-rounded education they deserve.

Thank you for believing in our children and for being part of their story. Your support is not just building classrooms - it is building brighter futures.

Monica and all at VF

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