Visit to Nambale Magnet School

December 11th-14th, 2025

Four of us from the United States have just returned from several days at Nambale Magnet School. Last Friday and Saturday were the alumni reunion days, which was a terrific success! There were 116 graduates who came back, representing about a third of all alums (there are a couple of classes who were still in session at their respective universities, but the other class cohorts were well represented). The agenda and experience were not at all what we would have done in the United States and it was perfect for these young adults! Singing, LOTS of dancing and practical sessions on careers, resumes, first aid, and time for connecting with each other. They also set up an alumni council and elected representatives. One of our sponsored students from the class of 2016, Eugene, is now the president of the Alumni Council!

Over our three days, we were able to spend time with many of the alumni and had a detailed conversation with the class of 2016 who have now finished their university training. This group is impressive; as the first grade to go fully through the school curriculum, they honed leadership skills for many years. They are looked up to by the younger classes and provide a hope-filled model of what is possible for all of the alumni who follow them. Their careers include counseling, nursing, teaching, aeronautics, and accounting. Jobs are difficult to come by, but for those still searching they remain optimistic. They also were candid about their experience which will allow Nambale Scholars Foundation and our support team on the ground at NMS to adjust and provide better support for the kids as they leave the “cocoon” of Nambale Magnet (their words) and move on to senior school (high school) and beyond.

For those of you who have been to the school, you wouldn’t recognize it once you go past the main buildings. There are more dormitory rooms and classroom buildings. The farm complex has exploded — there are now 4,000 chickens, dozens of pigs and a new composting project (funded by a corporate partnership) using black soldier flies to produce fertilizer and improve the environmental impact of farming. The scale of this project is stunning. Two large buildings serve as composting facilities that are already providing fertilizer for the school farm and the surrounding community. There is an active market at the back of the school selling eggs, honey and composted soil/fertilizer to the townspeople. There are a total of 3 greenhouses and fields that provide the children with plentiful greens. The farm provides both food for the children at the school (which now up to 450 attend) and the staff, but also is the main route to attaining self-sufficiency for Nambale Magnet. The farm is a model of agriculture in Kenya and attracts trainees and students from across the region (we met two visitors from Senegal the day we arrived).

It was an incredible visit, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to see and hear how education has permanently altered the students’ ideas of what is possible for their futures. We only wish that ALL of you who so generously support these kids could visit the school. Someone on the team goes every 12-18 months and we would be thrilled to have you join us.