The Thunder Foundation

12/06/2026

On behalf of everyone at The Thunder Foundation, we would like to thank Principal Grazia Bergamaschi for her unwavering support over the years. Your belief in our mission and your willingness to open doors for our fundraising have made a real difference. A bridge has been built between the schools in Santa Maria Maggiore and our students in Nairobi.

As you retire, we celebrate not only your leadership, but the lasting impact you’ve had on our community. We’re deeply grateful for your partnership, your kindness, and the example you’ve set.

Wishing you a retirement filled with joy, rest, and all the things you’ve earned. You will be missed.

A nome di tutta The Thunder Foundation, vogliamo ringraziare di cuore la Dirigente Scolastica Grazia Bergamschi dell'Istituto Comprensivo Andrea Testori di Santa Maria Maggiore per il sostegno costante che ci ha sempre dimostrato. La sua fiducia nella nostra missione e la sua disponibilità a sostenere i nostri studenti hanno fatto la differenza.

Nel momento in cui va in pensione, celebriamo non solo la sua leadership, ma anche l’impatto duraturo che ha avuto sulla nostra comunità. Le siamo profondamente grati per la sua collaborazione, la sua gentilezza e l’esempio che ha saputo dare.

Le auguriamo una pensione serena, piena di gioia e di tutto ciò che merita.

12/05/2026

Ramadan has been visiting our special needs children’s families and schools this week. All the children were happy and enjoying school and all of them take part enthusiastically with all the activities that the schools offer. Here you can see their beautiful smiling faces. Many of them are growing into adults and we at Thunder are busy planning the path ahead for them once they leave school and Ramadan has been chatting with their families to discuss the next steps. We will of course share our plans once they have been formulated. But for now, please enjoy these lovely pictures.

27/04/2026

Yesterday, the Italian community supporting Thunder ran a marathon and walked 5 km through the historic monuments of the village. The day concluded with a pasta party. Thank you to the runners Davide Moglia and Elena Bonalumi, who guided the other runners, Damiano, Mirella, and all the volunteers of Ossola Amica dell'Ugi.
We are very grateful for the amazing work of Itana, Arcangela, Paolo, and the other volunteers who prepared three different kinds of pasta for 70 guests. Thank you to our friends in Falghera and our friend Francesca Veia for the special breakfast and nice snacks. Thank you to our friends in Anpi and Cai and all the friends who made this day possible. A special thank you is for our historian Felice Sarazzi, who illustrated the artistic beauty of our village to the friends who decided to explore Villadossola for the love of the Thunder Children.

27/04/2026

The Thunder Foundation never ceases to be amazed by the resourcefulness and generosity of those who support us.

Elena Bonalumi, pictured here, is one such person. Every year she galvanises her local community to run the virtual London Marathon in a small village in Italy - not only do they run the marathon but she motivates the community to support the effort by organising a dinner afterwards (this year it was a pasta party!) and there are stalls and volunteers who help with the actual race arrangements. She also arranged for a 5km historical tour of the village for those who wished to participate.

This has become an annual event and Elena works hard all year in order for the day to run smoothly. We are truly grateful for Elena’s hard work and enthusiasm - she has been a loyal supporter of Thunder for many years and we are extremely grateful for all her efforts.

More pics of the day to follow.

27/04/2026

It is the start of a busy week for the Thunder crew - they are back to school tomorrow and Ramadan met them today to hand out their back to school shopping for the term ahead.

All of the children are very happy and relaxed and looking forward to the penultimate term of the Kenyan school year. For our Year 4 children this term is particularly important as it is their final term of study before they return in the autumn to sit their final school exams. This will be a new chapter for Thunder as we navigate the Kenyan university and higher education system.

We wish all our children the best of luck for the forthcoming term.

26/04/2026

The stage is set in Villadossola - it’s a beautiful day and preparations are underway.

Run like a Kenyan!! Good luck to all the runners.

26/04/2026

Good luck to all our virtual Marathon runners in Italy today

25/04/2026

20/04/2026

It’s that time of year again!

For the sixth time preparations are being made for the running of the Virtual London Marathon in the Italian village of Villadossola.

The Thunder fundraising is organised with the Church and the Youth Group and Ossola Amica dell'UGI.

After the marathon is completed there will be a Pasta Party, music and workshops for children and there will be a bazaar selling arts and crafts.

Thank you to Elena, Federica, Davide,Itana, Arcangela, Damiano e Mirella and also to the entire village of Villadossola who join together each year to make this an amazing community event.

This is one of Thunder’s favourite annual events as it combines fund raising in a unique community setting and also raises awareness for not only Thunder but for all children everywhere who struggle to receive the education which all children deserve.

Asante sana Villadossola - more updates and pictures to follow once the Marathon starts this Sunday.

15/04/2026

Thunder would like to extend a huge thank you to Agus Susanto from Indomie Kenya and Lorrine who have supported us for many years by providing all our families with regular food donations. We are extremely grateful as the donations make a very positive difference to all our Thunder families