They came bearing gifts 3 years ago, Chris Garcia took his first steps on Kenyan soil with a group of teachers and students from University of San Diego with a huge surprise for Daraja’s teachers and Form 1 class—iPods for every teacher and iPads for every freshman girl. Next week, Chris is returning to Kenya
Daraja Transition Students Win 53,000 Kenya Shillings for Anti-Pollution Campaign In conjunction with Laikipia Wildlife Forum in Nanyuki, Daraja Academy Transition students created an anti-pollution river campaign grant proposal. Students assessed community needs and compiled research about where river pollution and water shortage was a major problem in communities surrounding Daraja’s campus. In the
Each Monday morning on Daraja’s campus, students and staff gather near the flag to hold assembly or “flag.” The assembly is a time where staff and prefects have the opportunity to update the student body about events coming up in the week ahead. In addition, one class each week performs a song and update the
On the morning of their first exam day for the K.C.S.E. testing, fourth year Daraja students listened intently as a letter from “Mom and Dad,” or co-founders Jason and Jenni, was read to them. This year is the second year that Daraja Academy has had girls taking the K.C.S.E. and clear traditions are beginning to
In the aftermath of the attack on Kenya’s Westgate Mall in Nairobi, the country responded with unity: thousands of people came out to support the country by donating blood to the Kenyan Red Cross in order to help the victims of the tragedy. Inspired by this, Daraja Academy administration booked a blood drive with the
Tomorrow morning at 8 AM sharp, fourth-year Daraja Academy students will sharpen their pencils and squirm in their seats as they begin the test that they’ve been working towards for four years: the K.C.S.E. The K.C.S.E. stands for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, and it is an exam taken at the completion of secondary
In WISH (Women of Integrity, Strength, and Hope) class this term, third year Daraja students (11th grade) are learning all about conflict resolution and peace building. Piggybacking Alice Nderitu’s peace building talk during Term Two, the lessons are full of exciting ways to brainstorm the development of peace throughout the world, but more specifically, in
On October 9, 2012, Malala Yousafzai, a young activist for girls’ education, survived an assassination attempt by Taliban gunmen, in her home country of Pakistan. Her wounds were felt worldwide, including by Daraja students and staff. Check out what happened last year, when Daraja students were asked what steps they could take to let Malala
As we reflect on this year's amazing milestones, we can't help but go back to square one: What types of girls enter the Daraja gates? Who were they before they were freshmen at Daraja? Every girl seems to have her own story of absolute determination. We've highlighted Fatuma A, an approaching senior at the academy.
This is not a normal Daraja Academy update for me. In all honesty as the school has grown, I have written fewer and fewer updates for the website, even though it is something I truly love. However, after reflecting on the events of November 20th, 2012, I feel a deep need to do just that.
At 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, Daraja’s Form 4s sat for their business exam, the final of twenty exams. Two and a half hours later, Daraja’s teachers and administration convened outside Exam Room 5, and entered the room just as test administrators finished collecting the papers. “You’re done,” said the administrator, and a loud
Writing sponsor letters has been an important Daraja tradition for the last four years. At the end of each term, once the girls have finished their exams, they gather to prepare letters to send to their (mostly) U.S. sponsors. These letters usually include a piece of artwork created by each girl, and two photos with
