One of the month’s highlights came from our growing chess programme. Fifteen students from the Ololo Chess Academy competed in the Tuala Checkmate Masters Chess Tournament, with our students bringing home multiple podium finishes. Abigail Eunice won the Under 13 to Under 17 Girls category, Elvis Okwemba took first place in the Under 13 to Under 17 Open division, while Gift Ndeta and Lucky Yohana secured second and third places respectively.
The success continued at the Kajiado Chess Qualifiers, where another 15 Ololo Chess Academy students represented the Foundation. Oloosirkon Primary and Junior Secondary School was recognised as the Best Performing School, while Stephen Musembi was crowned the Under 17 Champion.
Our programmes at Naramat also received wonderful support during the month. Rita generously donated new playing kits for the tag rugby team, food supplies and stationery for Naramat Community School, and helped facilitate a new water connection that will provide clean drinking water and enable the school to establish its own vegetable garden.
Back at Ololo Farm, we hosted two interschool chess tournaments, welcoming students from Oloosirkon and Olekasasi schools. These events continue to build confidence, sportsmanship and critical thinking while bringing young people together through healthy competition.
Supporting young people goes far beyond the classroom. During July, we held mentorship workshops reaching almost one hundred Grade 7 and 8 students at Oloosirkon, focusing on emotional wellbeing, stress management and communication. A second workshop at Olekasasi encouraged personal growth and leadership among students.
Our music programme also continued to flourish, with weekly choir rehearsals bringing together 68 students from Oloosirkon Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior School as they prepare for future performances.
Alongside these special events, our regular weekly rugby, chess, arts and crafts programmes continued across all our partner schools, providing consistent opportunities for learning, creativity and personal development.
July also marked several important milestones:
- 14 teacher salaries funded at St Johns School in Kibera
- 17 high school scholarships funded across the country
- 1 community rugby tournament funded
Every one of these achievements is only possible because of the continued support of our guests and partners. Together, we are helping create brighter futures by investing in education, sport, leadership and opportunity for the next generation.
From everyone at the Ololo Foundation, thank you for being part of the journey. We look forward to sharing even more impact with you next month.
