Congratulations to Daraja Academy Class of 2017!
Twenty-six girls have graduated from Daraja Academy's secondary school and Transition Program. All of them will be continuing on to higher education!
In Loving Memory of Zaitun Idris (Sept 20, 2001 – April 17, 2018)
We are devastated to announce the sudden passing of Zaitun Idris. On the morning of April 17th, Zaitun Idris, Class of 2019, abruptly passed away after an unforeseeable accident.
Living Green at Daraja Academy
On a campus that’s twenty kilometers from the nearest town, we can’t ignore the environment. Because we get our water from a nearby river, we have to watch our water usage during dry season. Because there’s no trash collection service, we have to handle every bit of waste that we produce. With over 150 people to feed each day, we rely on our campus farm to produce fresh, healthy food.
Entrepreneurship in Daraja’s Transition Program
Twenty-five students sat at their desks, running over presentations in their heads. Each girl had been working on her business plan for weeks, developing her initial ideas into full proposals. As the room slowly filled — with teachers, guests, panel members, local experts, fellow students, and Daraja administration — a nervous silence settled over the room, and the evening began.
Educated Girls, Unstoppable Women
Monicah's (Class of 2012) future was destined to be a house cleaner until Daraja paid her $3 bus fare to attend an interview. After completing university, she won a coveted position at ActionAid Kenya due to her activism and feminist viewpoints. She will break down barriers and build bridges in the next 10 years.
Daraja Girls In Action! Community Service Around Kenya
During school holidays, every Daraja student completes at least 20 hours of community service in their home communities. It is a chance for Daraja girls to give back, become leaders in their communities, and gain new skills. Three Daraja students shared their recent experiences with community service — and you definitely want to hear about them!
Daraja Welcomes Class of 2021 to Campus!
The Class of 2021 is arriving on campus, and (after all this waiting), current students are absolutely giddy to meet their new sisters. By the time the first matatus arrive, current students have made up the new students’ beds and are hanging on the fence by the gate, screaming and cheering as the first arrivals hesitantly get out of the cars.
Do something good this Valentine’s Day
For nearly all of the students, Daraja is the first place they’ve had their very own beds. Unfortunately, our bunk beds are extremely old and falling apart. The metal beds are rickety, unstable, and don’t have rails -- making the top bunks quite scary. The top bunks of the wooden beds have actually collapsed onto girls sleeping on the bottom bunks. Many of the beds no longer stand up on their own, and are wedged between other beds and walls to keep them upright.
The Storm Before the Calm – Reflections from the Founders: Part I of II
Cue the little voice in my head. “What are you doing? Who are you to judge these girls? How can you begin to rank one over another? Even if you take 30, there will be girl #31. Why are you doing this?”
The Role of Diversity in Daraja’s Admissions Process
Over the past three weeks, the Daraja admissions team has spent over 45 hours driving over 1,700 kilometers around Kenya, interviewing applicants from 34 of the 47 counties in Kenya. This isn’t accidental — seeking out diversity is at the core of our admissions process. Why are we so focused on diversity?
On Sending 340 Letters of Regret
As we wrap up the final admissions interviews, we reach the most difficult part of the process: deciding which girls will receive joyous calls welcoming them to campus, and which will receive letters of regret. With only 30 available spots, we will be sending over 340 such letters this year. We are devastated for their recipients.
The Women Who Raise Daraja Girls
By Diana Grote The Daraja admissions team was in Nanyuki, ready to interview another group of applicants from around Laikipia. There was something striking about today’s
Former Child Bride Accepted to Daraja Academy
By Diana Grote Here at Daraja, our mission is specific: we provide an education to girls who have no other means of continuing school. Therefore, we
Daraja Academy Admissions Interviews: Day 1
By Diana Grote There are two benches resting under a low tree just inside the Daraja gate. Normally, these benches are empty, but on the morning
Back to School at Daraja Academy
By Diana Grote It’s the start of a new school year here at Daraja Academy, and the campus has already come alive! On Thursday, students arrived
2017: Year in Review
By Janelle Lamb 2017 has been a huge year for Daraja, and we owe it all to our supporters. Here are just a few things we've accomplished together