By Monica Dan & Paola Longobardi | Founder & Trustee(s)
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:
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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