EDUCATED GIRLS EDUCATE GIRLS
Daraja grads nuture Daraja girls
I graduated from Daraja in 2015 and joined Maseno University to study Literature and IT. Currently, I am working at Daraja as the Special Programs Coordinator.
Before I came to Daraja, I wasn't aware of many basic things about myself as a girl. The only thing I was sure about was that I wanted to change my story but I didn't know how.
When I joined Daraja, I went through the Women of Integrity, Strength, and Hope (W.I.S.H.) Program and learned that I have an identity that goes beyond my name and where I come from. I discovered my career potential, my personality, and my rights. I completed the Daraja Transition Program a changed and empowered woman and a valuable member of my community.
I saw a girl making mandazis (donuts) near the gate where I live. I was amazed by her humility and how passionate she was about what she was doing. I later learned that her name was Praise. Praise woke up to sell mandazis in the morning before going to school and came back to sell chips (french fries) after school to raise money for her family and her school fees.
Before she sat for her KCPE (8th grade exam), I knew in my heart that Praise was a Daraja girl with innate leadership potential and would benefit a great deal if she came to Daraja. After the Form Ones (9th graders) had reported to school, Praise was still at her usual spot, selling mandazis and chips.
I asked her why she had not gone to school and she said she would report to school once she raised enough money. That is when I knew that I had to do something for Praise. I had to show her that she could make her dreams come true if she maintained her determination.
I printed the Daraja student application and brought it to Praise's home. She filled out the application and was called for an interview. I took her myself and watched as she did so well in the interview that she was admitted to Daraja on the spot. My heart filled with joy and pride for her; I knew she was meant to be here.
Now that Praise is at Daraja, my hope is to see her work hard and make her dreams come true. I want to see that girl change her story.
"my hope is to see her work hard and make her dreams come true. I want to see that girl change her story."
I am a 15 year old girl. I have lived with my grandmother since my father’s death. Before my father’s death, we struggled to care for him and raise money for his surgery. I was eight years old. My mother had to take us all to live with our grandmother. Soon, my father passed and my mother said that she was leaving to find a job; that was the last time I saw her.
After the burial, my sister and I were separated. Life was very rough for me during that time. I had to sell mandazis (donuts) with my grandmother in the morning, then go to school, and after school, I would help my grandmother sell chips.
After I took the KCPE (8th grade exam), I received a message with my results. My grandmother was overjoyed and so was I. After that, she changed her happy face to a sad face. She told me that I have done my best, but we did not have enough money to take me to school. I was devastated. I continued with my job and started saving money for school fees. When the students started going off to school, I was still working.
One morning a beautiful lady came to buy mandazis. She asked me why I wasn't going to school with the others. I told her my story and she introduced herself to me. She told me that her name was Bilha.
Bilha introduced me to a school called Daraja Academy. I filled out the application she brought to my home. I was more than happy to hear that the following day we were going for an interview. The next day, Bilha came and picked me up for the interview and we started our journey. My grandma had told me to go with faith and I would get a chance.
When we reached Daraja Academy I met the founder of Daraja who introduced himself as Mr. Jason Doherty. He told me to tell them about my story. I told them everything while tears rolled down my cheeks.
After some questions, he told me that I was one of the Daraja girls. I cried and fell on my knees. Bilha was beside me; she was also crying tears of joy. She called my grandmother and I told her the good news. She cried through the phone. She was overjoyed.
Bilha encouraged me and I knew that I could do it. I am so grateful for Bilha; she is the most loving daughter my grandmother has and the most encouraging mentor to me.
Vision 2025 Update
An Academic Hub for Social Change
Vision 2025 is the strategic framework to expand Daraja’s most impactful programs to reach 5,000 girls. We have launched a campaign to raise philanthropic investments to make this vision a reality.
Initiative 2: Triple student enrollment to 360 students
Due to a lack of resources, we turn away 9 out of 10 girls who apply each year.
We have admitted 52 strong and deserving girls from all over Kenya this year, our largest class in Daraja history.
Initiative 1: Build Daraja a permanent home
38.5 acres were donated for a new campus that will secure our future and stand as a model for quality girls’ education. We are breaking ground on the new campus this summer! The architectural drawings are complete and the new campus will be well under way before the end of the year.
As the Kenyan Ministry of Education made the decision to educate grade 9 students with grades 7 and 8, we will be transitioning to a three-year secondary school to match the rest of the country. In order to keep growing our student numbers through this shift, we decided to admit a double class this year!
As we see W.I.S.H. grow throughout the area, we are already seeing the effects it has on students and facilitators, further proving the need for this curriculum throughout the nation.
Scan the QR code to the right to donate
Initiative 3: Expand W.I.S.H. leadership program
In 2023, we are currently reaching over 1600 girls at our 7 partner schools. We are reaching 273 boys at 3 of the 7 partner schools (these are the mixed/co-ed schools) through our “Man I Am” program--this is a revision of the W.I.S.H. curriculum to make it suitable for boys.
