End of term– Once again, the girls loaded up several minibuses, hugged each other goodbye and set off for the journey home for the holidays. They completed their finals on Tuesday and spent the rest of the week getting themselves organized for their vacation, playing sports and doing special WISH (Women of Integrity, Strength and Hope) classes with volunteer Olivia Capra.

The girls enjoyed their last night together of 2011 with their teachers

The first group of girls left campus in the pouring rain at 6 a.m. Their teachers woke up early to see them off. They huddled under umbrellas to stay dry; the women had their hair wrapped up in a turban or shower cap.

“At other schools the teachers can’t see the students leave soon enough,” Teacher Carol said after the first bus pulled away. “Here we want to say goodbye to the girls and wish them the best as they go.” 

Girls’ on-campus fundraiser for Daraja’s neighbors – The Grassroots Girls and Drama clubs worked together on an end-of-term project to raise money for Daraja’s neighboring community. They put together an incredible performance of music and dance – with inspirational from many of Kenya’s tribes and traditions – and sold tickets on campus to raise money for a women’s group in nearby Maramoja. The girls have already helped the women’s group build a chicken house – it will be exciting to see what more the girls will be able to do next year as they put more of their awesome ideas into action!

 

Lillian leading a section of a traditional dance performance