After four weeks of grueling test taking, our Daraja’s Class of 2013 finished their K.C.S.E. testing last Friday! At 10:30 AM, the final testing bell rang and students emerged from their classroom with radiant smiles, sighs of relief, and jumps for joy. They each turned in their finals papers to the test administrators, who shared a few words with the girls before departing from campus.
The main administrator, shared how impressed she was with the Daraja girls. Speaking to the girls, she explained, “I could tell you were determined because after each exam, you girls did not go to sleep or play around, you immediately began studying for the next day’s exams. I am very impressed, you will all go far.”
Another administrator said, “no matter how the results turn out, you girls should be very proud of yourselves.”
Excited, the girls rejoiced with their fellow students during tea break. Gitwa, a fourth year student, explained, “it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. No matter what happens, I’ve made it. I feel so proud.”
Although the testing had ended, the girls’ day was far from over. During their final afternoon on campus as students, the girls wrote the final letters to their sponsors, applied for University, prepared for the Transition Program beginning in March 2014, and packed their things. Mercy took extra care in writing to her sponsor and explained, “I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving me this opportunity. I don’t have the right words, I don’t think the right words exist in English or Swahili to thank them enough.”
Because applying for University can be confusing and stressful, regardless of what country you’re in, the administration helped girls apply here on campus to ensure that all of their questions were answered and the application process went smoothly. While this was happening, the kitchen staff was hard at work preparing a celebratory meal with all the girls’ favorite foods: chapati (Kenyan staple, sweet and tortilla-like), pilau (rice with vegetables and meat cooked in spices), nyama choma (roasted meat), and ice cream!
Tables in the dining room were arranged in a huge circle, and students, staff, and volunteers came together to feast, talk, share, and laugh together in celebration of the incredible accomplishment that the girls had made: finishing their secondary school careers. Students and staff called upon one other to stand and share words of encouragement, pride, wisdom, and celebration.
Pascalina, a fourth year student, stood confidently and proclaimed, “I am so proud to be a Daraja girl. The past four years, I have learned that I am powerful, I am valuable, I am worthy, I am smart,” regarding the staff, she continued, “thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me, believing in us. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will impress you and show that we were worth it.”
Teacher Elizabeth shared some advice, “Life is like a mirror. What you show it, it will give back to you. If you smile at the world, it will smile back at you. If you frown upon it, it will frown back upon you. Be sure to take on the world knowing that what you put into it, you will get that much back.”
When it was her turn to speak, Teacher and Principal Victoria had the fourth year girls congregate outside of the dining hall and handed each of them a candle. Knowing what to do, the girls marched back into the dark hall singing one of their favorite songs, “Light Your World,” originally performed by Chris Rice.
The night concluded with a letter from co-founders Jenni and Jason, read aloud by Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah, and lots of dancing. On Saturday morning, Daraja’s second-ever class of girls to finish secondary school left campus for a well-deserved break. In March, they will return to participate in the Transition Program, an opportunity unique to Daraja.
From everyone at Daraja, we say Congratulations Class of 2013! To see more photos from the day, be sure to ‘like’ our Facebook page and check out the 2013 KCSE Exams album!
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