Executive Overview
The Village Youth Fund continues to make measurable strides in empowering girls through education, mentorship, and psychosocial support. This report highlights the academic achievements and personal growth of girls enrolled in our program across different grade levels during the 2025 academic year. Their progress is a powerful testament to the resilience of girls when supported by a community that believes in them.
This year, the Village Youth Fund has also demonstrated remarkable organizational resilience amidst a challenging funding landscape. Despite funding uncertainty, increased competition for grants, and limited resources; our team has remained adaptive and innovative, ensuring that programs continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the girls we serve.
Special thanks to my team in Kenya—Melodine Jeptoo, Catherine Karungo, James Ekuwam, and Evans Kangiro—without whom none of this progress would have been possible. As well as the Board of Directors, David Hughes and Alba Congiu, for always being there to provide guidance and encouragement when I needed it.
Our Littlest Learners: Grade 1
Both girls have demonstrated steady academic growth throughout the year. Their progress reflects the effectiveness of early academic intervention and consistent caregiver engagement in creating a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
Sabina was the first girl in our program and inspired the initial creation of VYF back in 2023. This year, she started out Approaching Expectations in Quarter 1, then advanced to Meeting Expectations in Quarters 2 & 3.
Abigail was the most recent addition to the program this past January. During our 2024 visit to Kenya, we confirmed that she would be joining Sabina in 2025. In her first year in the program, she consistently Met Expectations in Quarters 1 & 2 and Exceeded Expectations by Quarter 3.
Elementary School Kids
Link to Irine’s student spotlight article: https://www.villageyouthfund.org/blog/student-spotlight-irine
Star Student
Jr. Secondary School (Middle School) Kids
This age group often faces the greatest risk of dropping out due to external pressures such as early marriage or household responsibilities. Despite these statistics, both girls have remained in school and continue to progress. With further support, we are confident that both girls can achieve Meeting Expectations next year.
Sr. Secondary School (High School) Kids
Rose: Improved from Approaching Expectations in Q1 to Meeting Expectations in Q2 and Q3.
Link to Rose’s student spotlight article: https://www.villageyouthfund.org/blog/student-spotlight-rose
Viola: Fluctuated slightly with a Meeting Expectations in Q1, Approaching Expectations in Q2,
Caroline: Meeting Expectations in Quarter 1 but dropped to Approaching Expectations in Quarters 2 and 3. Her academic decline coincided with growing instability at home, as her father became disabled following a livestock raid and has been unable to work. Evans and Melodine recently met with Caroline and her family to develop a support plan. Caroline shared that her main concern has been ensuring her baby sister has enough to eat, which has affected her ability to focus on schoolwork. She expressed determination to improve her grades next year. Our team is actively exploring ways to support Caroline and her family’s food security to help her succeed academically.
Link to Caroline’s student spotlight article: https://www.villageyouthfund.org/blog/student-spotlight-caroline
Yearly Financial Review
Staff salaries were a major additional expense between 2024 and 2025. Back in May 2025, our grant that we were previously paying Evans and James on ended. We then had to start paying them both from the VYF bank account.
*We also collect receipts for every expense which can be shared with you upon request
New expense category for “Training Nawiri”
Nawiri Child Development Programme, a nonprofit based in Isiolo that provides scholarships to vulnerable children, has been an invaluable partner in helping us navigate our early stages as a new organization.
This year, Nawiri launched an onion garden project led by local women, providing them with agricultural training and the opportunity to earn income through onion sales. We contributed $104.33 of your donations to support this initiative, helping empower women to build sustainable livelihoods for their families.
