KGSA students, staff, and supporters gathered together outdoors

Celebrating Twenty Years

KGSA Foundation20th Anniversary Gala

Name: KGSA Foundation 20th Anniversary Gala
Start: 2026-10-24T17:30:00-07:00
End: 2026-10-24T22:00:00-07:00
Location: El Corazon

An evening of connection, celebration, and impact in support of the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy.

Date: October 24, 2026, Saturday
Time: 5:30 PM - Doors Open
Venue: El Corazon · Oceanside, CA
Attire: Coastal Casual

Learn About KGSA

The Evening

Twenty years of girls in school, celebrated in one night.

Join the KGSA Foundation for an evening celebrating 20 years of education and opportunity for girls in Kibera. Come together with friends and fellow supporters for Kenyan flavors, thoughtfully selected wines, music, and connection.

Explore the flavors of Kenya, enjoy a curated wine tasting, and browse silent auction experiences and unique offerings. With time to mingle, hear stories from the KGSA community, and enjoy music and dancing, the evening brings celebration and purpose together.

Come in Coastal Casual attire and enjoy an evening in Oceanside while supporting the next chapter for KGSA.

Kenyan Flavors
Curated Wine Tasting
Silent Auction
Meaningful Conversations
KGSA Impact

A large group of KGSA students, staff, and supporters gathered together outdoors — KGSA students, staff, and supporters

Event Details

Everything you need to know

El Corazon venue exterior with white tower entrance and palm trees — El Corazon - Oceanside, CA

Date: October 24, 2026, Saturday
Time: 5:30 PM - Doors OpenEvent concludes by 10:00 PM
Location: El Corazon - Oceanside, CAView on Google Maps
Dress Code: Coastal Casual
Tickets: $150 per guest

Schedule

The evening, hour by hour

Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the evening concluding at 10:00 PM.

5:30 PM
Doors Open
Guests arrive, check-in and join us on the patio.
Until 6:30 PM
Welcome Cocktail Hour & Sunset Views on the Patio
Enjoy a signature cocktail and your first Kenyan flavors over conversation, yard games and sunset views before transitioning into the main program.
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Transition Inside, Dinner and Program
Guests move indoors for dinner and the main KGSA program.
8:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Dancing
End the evening with music, dancing, and time to celebrate together.

Why This Matters

The gala exists because the school does.

KGSA is a free, all-girls boarding high school in Kibera, Nairobi, one of Africa's largest informal settlements. We provide a safe, holistic education that transforms lives and molds girls into leaders for their communities and beyond.

Twenty years of history

KGSA's story began in 2002 when Abdul Kassim started a soccer team in Kibera to engage and inspire girls. Over the next few years, that team grew into a school. In 2006, Ryan Banning met Abdul while studying abroad in Kenya and returned to the US to build the Foundation. By 2011, the KGSA Foundation was a registered 501(c)3. What started as 13 students in one rented classroom with mud floors has grown into a full secondary school with 150 girls enrolled, two school buildings, a dormitory, and a professional staff of 30.

Students and community

KGSA currently serves 150 girls Grades 10 through 12. In Kenya, 44% of girls never finish high school. KGSA removes every barrier: tuition is free, boarding is free, and meals are provided daily. Beyond academics, girls access healthcare, a social worker, soccer, rugby, drama, sewing, and higher education scholarships. KGSA is ranked #1 among all-girls schools in Kibera for national KCSE exam results. KGSA's Classes of 2024 and 2025 achieved our strongest academic results ever, with more than half of graduates continuing on to college. 🎓

About the KGSA Foundation About KGSA Kibera

KGSA students in school uniform standing with a teacher outside the school

A small classroom building with a corrugated metal roof in Kibera, Nairobi

20Years

KGSA students celebrating with a visiting supporter in the school hall

A mural on the KGSA campus wall reading "The Future is Bright"

A KGSA computer lab with rows of desktop workstations and blue chairs

A clean shared washroom with a long stone sink at the KGSA campus

Photos & Video

Stories from Kibera

From a classroom with mud floors to a thriving campus educating 150 girls each year, KGSA's story is best told through the people who have lived it. Explore photos and videos from Kibera and see what 20 years of educating, inspiring and empowering girls looks like.

KGSA students raising their hands and speaking up in class

Three KGSA students smiling and making peace signs in the schoolyard

KGSA students playing netball on the school field

KGSA students beading together around a table during a business club session

The KGSA girls rugby team in red and white jerseys posing on the pitch

Five KGSA students in navy tracksuits smiling around a large cooking pot

A KGSA student waving while walking to school with her backpack

KGSA students at their desks during a lesson in a bright classroom

Desktop computers set up in the KGSA computer lab

Rows of computer workstations and chairs in a KGSA classroom

The KGSA science lab with new workbenches and sinks

Sewing machines lined up in the KGSA tailoring workshop

The rooftop turf sports pitch at KGSA overlooking Nairobi

Netball hoop and safety netting on the KGSA rooftop court

Bunk beds made up in a KGSA student dormitory

Tiled shower stalls in the KGSA student washrooms

Medicine cabinet and supplies in the KGSA health room

Chef SylvesterOwino

Rafikiz Foodz

Chef Sylvester Owino of Rafikiz Foodz brings the flavors of Kenya to KGSA's 20th anniversary celebration. Enjoy a selection of Kenyan dishes as we come together for food, conversation and community.

Scroll down for the menu

An Evening of Discovery

Dinner Menu

Explore the flavors of Kenya through appetizers, a selection of buffet dishes and a curated wine tasting. Enjoy a curated selection of three wines alongside the evening's Kenyan-inspired menu.

Traditional Favorites from Kenya

On Arrival

Sambusasbeef · potato · lentil: Crisp fried pastries filled with seasoned beef, potato, or lentil, served with a herb sauce.
Drinks: An open bar offering beer, wine and cocktails.

First Course

Kachumbari: A fresh salad of tomato and onion with lime and coriander.

Kenyan Buffet

Beef Stew: Beef slow-cooked in a Kenyan spice base until tender.
Chicken Stew: Chicken braised in a tomato and ginger sauce.
Coconut Rice: Long-grain rice simmered in coconut milk until tender and fragrant.
Sukuma Wiki: Collard greens sauteed with onion, tomato, and a touch of chili.
Curry Cabbage: Cabbage braised with turmeric and coconut.
Plantain Stew: Also known as "Matoke". Ripe plantain cooked in a seasoned onion and tomato sauce.
Handmade Chapati: Soft, hand-rolled flatbread cooked on a griddle.

At the Bar

Curated Wine Tasting: A selection of three wines will be served throughout the evening, including an expanded white wine offering.
Open Bar: An open bar offering beer, wine and cocktails.

To Close

Dessert: Final selection to be announced.
Kenyan Chai: Black tea simmered with milk, cardamom, and fresh ginger.
Kenyan Coffee: Kenyan coffee served hot, bright and smooth.

Vegetarian guests are well served - coconut rice, sukuma wiki, curry cabbage, plantain stew, and chapati are all prepared without meat. Spiced lentils are offered in place of the meat courses upon request.

Gluten present in sambusas only. Please inform your server of dietary needs.

Silent Auction

Coming Soon

Auction details will be announced closer to the event. Items may include experiences, vacation stays, wine, and other donated items.

This section will later link to the GiveButter auction

With thanks to our supporters

Sponsor logos will be added as commitments are confirmed. Levels below are placeholders and can be renamed or expanded.

Presenting Sponsor

Interested in sponsoring? Email us at info@kgsafoundation.org.

Tickets

Join Us in Celebrating 20 Years of KGSA

$150 per guest · El Corazon, Oceanside, CA · Coastal Casual

Purchase Tickets

Scan the QR code to purchase KGSA Gala tickets or donate on Givebutter

Scan to purchase tickets - or donate

The same QR code works both ways: buy your tickets or make a donation to KGSA.

https://givebutter.com/20th-anniversary-gala-san-diego

Ticketing handled by GiveButter