“I believe that change begins with one person who dares to dream, and through collective effort, we can build a world where everyone dares to fly.”
- Lilian, Daraja Student
We are celebrating five years post-graduation of the Class of 2020 and honoring the supporters who made their journeys, and the journeys of every Daraja girl possible.
Urban slums, rural villages, and so many towns across Kenya. Each a starting point for hundreds of Daraja girl journeys. All of them are inspiring and none would happen without heroes like you.
"Daraja transformed me. Over five years, it turned a shy, naive girl into a confident and empowered young woman. The programs, environment, and supportive staff shaped me, giving me warmth, growth, and the assurance that I am seen and worthy.”
-Juster, Class of 2020
Growing up as one of five children raised by a single mother, life for Juster was never easy. Her mother worked hard selling vegetables at a small kiosk, and later selling chang'aa (a traditional, illegal alcoholic drink). After leaving an abusive marriage, her mother struggled to keep her children in school. When Juster completed 8th grade, she hoped for a chance to go to high school, but the only option was to stay home and help her mother.
Everything changed when Juster's former teacher gave her an application to Daraja. Throughout her time at Daraja, Juster stayed focused, became a Scout, and went on to be the valedictorian of her class. She had a dream of becoming a medical doctor, a dream that never wavered.
Today, Juster studies Medicine and Surgery at the University of Nairobi. Because of you, Juster is the first Daraja girl to make it to medical school. Just as she did at Daraja, Juster continues to give back through service, including leading menstrual and hygiene health talks, and participating in medical camps.
Margaret grew up in Timau, Laikipia County, as one of five children in a rural community where education has long been undervalued, especially for girls. After her parents separated, survival meant joining her mother to work on people’s farms to earn money for food and school fees. At home, she carried most of the responsibilities; fetching water from the dam, collecting firewood, and caring for her siblings. With no electricity, studying was difficult, and Margaret often feared her education would end.
After graduating from Daraja, she became the first in her family to attend university. Margaret pursued a degree in Laboratory Science and Technology at Kisii University. Alongside her studies, Margaret volunteered to teach hygiene in schools and children’s homes, and grew a small side business into a beauty shop that supports her sisters and empowers women on campus. In addition, she also mentors Form 4 Daraja girls as they prepare for university, helping them build their confidence and self-reliance.
"At Daraja, I discovered a new world of possibilities. Surrounded by mentors and teachers who believed in me, I found confidence, resilience, and purpose.”
-Margaret, Class of 2020
Life in West Pokot, a county nestled along Kenya’s border with Uganda, often comes down to survival. The underdeveloped region faces frequent flooding and ongoing cattle rustling. Christine was born into a world where FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and early arranged-marriages are still common. After her parents divorced when she was three, her mother remarried into a polygamous family where girls’ education was rarely valued. With six siblings, and twelve step-siblings, pursuing school was an uphill battle.
At Daraja, Christine was given the chance to continue her education. She joined student counsil, gaining leadership skills because supporters like you provided the training ground for her to become the activist she is today. Christine is the first in her family to earn a degree. She now serves as CEO of Oral Health at Mashinani and looks forward to completing her internship and earning her dental license. Her dream is to open a dental clinic and build a community library so students from her community can access resources and pursue their dreams.
"Daraja gave me the chance to change my story and now I’m helping others do the same.”
-Christine, Class of 2020
Our alumnae are now thriving in education, healthcare, counseling, marketing, conservation, and so many other fields, all because you believed in them, believed in us, and helped make their futures a reality.
None of this would be possible without your unwavering support. You have changed the trajectory of hundreds of Kenyan girls’ lives. Your impact is felt in every warm bed on campus, every classroom where dreams take shape, and in every girl whose future is forever changed because someone believed in her.
We built a larger campus because too many Martha’s (student pictured to the right) were being left behind. Now, we want to be bold and offer 90 scholarships this January, the largest class in our history!
Transform her worry of “no more school” into “which university should I pick?” Be her bridge and sponsor a girl today.
Thank you! or as we say in Kenya… Asante Sana!
