Posted by Daraja Team on Thursday, April 12th, 2012 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
LET’S GET THE PARTY STARTED!
We’re bursting with excitement for this year’s Race for Daraja event on May 20, 2012! There will be more than 100 people running the race in Daraja shirts. That will definitely get people asking, “What’s Daraja?!”….
NEXT STEPS
1) Now that you have been matched with a Daraja girl, it is time to create an online fundraising page! Each participant is required to find 10 sponsors in order to officially be part of the Race for Daraja team. We encourage you to use the photograph and biography of your Daraja partner as you advocate for her. Deadline to create page: April 16, 2012
How to create an online fundraising page:
Video instructions here! Step-by-step instructions:
1. Go to www.crowdrise.com/BaytoBreakers2012 to reach the Daraja page.
2. To the right of the page is a “fundraise for this event” button. Click it.
3. Choose from “Join as an individual” or “Create a new team”.
4. On the “create your fundraiser” page, enter your fundraiser title, a paragraph about your fundraiser, and the amount of money you hope to raise if you have a target.
5. Click “next step”
6. Upload a photo!!! This makes it more fun for your donors!
7. Review the “review your charity’ page. Click “continue”.
8. Last step – sign up. Provide your first and last name, password, email address and your birth date (no year required!) Choose account type “I’m an individual that’s fundraising for this event”.
9. Congratulations!!!!! You have created your own page for Race for Daraja on Crowdrise.
10. Upload more photos to customize your page and use the “ask for donations” button to get started!
If you have questions, email racefordaraja@daraja-academy.org! We love hearing from our Daraja family members!
Posted by Ashley on Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
In addition to adding a new component to Monday Flag (read more here!), Daraja’s Media club is rolling out with the school’s first magazine.
Carol, President of the club, is a Form 4 whose membership dates back to its creation three years ago. “We decided to name our magazine The Golden Mirror,” said Carol, who plans to one day become a journalist. “A mirror is a reflection of what it sees, and the magazine will be a reflection of the diversity and perspective of the girls of Daraja.” Almost 20 submissions are under review for print, from creative writing to campus announcements to editorials. The magazine also provides descriptions and photos of every club on campus, art submissions, and jokes.
The Golden Mirror’s first issue is set to hit stands on campus at the beginning of the next term.
[photo: Hadija, Media club member, and submittor of "Conserving the Environment" article]
Posted by Ashley on Monday, April 9th, 2012 , Posted in Blog, News , 1 Comment »
They asked for it. They got it! As requested by Form 2s, Daraja hosts first business symposium.
Euphrasia, lead MC, transitions from the skits portion to a group quiz
Daraja girls interested in science participate in the Science Congress and trips to the Mpala Research Center & Conservancy. Regional math contests are held for girls interested in math. The annual music festival is is an amazing experience for the girls who love to perform poetry, spoken word and singing. Field trips to Lily Pond are put together for the art club, and athletes participate in sports tournaments. But what is available for the business-oriented students at Daraja?
The Form 2s posed this question during business studies class, and from that conversation stemmed the idea to host a business symposium event on campus. “The business students wanted to know what was out there for them,” Charles, Dean of Curriculum at the Daraja Academy, said. “They were eager for an opportunity to interact with other students outside of campus, and in the absence of an already established program, they created their own.”
Dianah and Schola compare notes
The Form 2s put together a diverse curriculum designed to introduce the Form 1s to the world of business while still appealing to the more knowledgeable Form 3s and 4s. “We found volunteer groups from each form to educate the whole school in a specific area of business,” Esther, Form 2, said. “Valuable information about entrepreneurship was presented in many ways: skits, songs, dances and by question and answer.” The information provided focused on everything entrepreneurial: how to start a business, how to run a business, information about lending, borrowing, and potential pitfalls.
Mesret, the time keeper for the symposium, reflected afterward about the success of the event. “We were happy to provide information to our peers about starting a business. We are future business owners, each of us in some way. Whether we decide to run a bus company or start a school just like Daraja, it is important that we know how to prepare ourselves to succeed.”
Posted by Ashley on Friday, April 6th, 2012 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
Form 4 Florence Mueni reviews before exam
IT’S FINAL EXAMS WEEK AT DARAJA!
Study, study, study! Such was the focus on campus this week as the girls prepared for their end-of-term exams. For the Form 1s, this part of the term could have been very stressful, but the girls divided up into study groups and actively prepared for success. “The Form 1s have tackled the exams very well so far. I was almost surprised how relaxed and settled they were,” Teacher James said, “but they were very well prepared. I already took a peek at some of their exams, and they have done very well. Very well.”
Form 4s Esther, Emily, Betty and Faith form a study group before Math exam
For other students on campus, this process is routine. “I’m very ready,” Hadijah, Form 4 said. “My hardest exam is today, which is Math. And that is why I am looking forward to it. I studied hard, I prepared, and now I am ready.” The Form 4s are a unique group on campus, as they are also preparing for their upcoming K.C.S.E. exams. Says Betty, “Essentially, what we are studying for Daraja and for the K.C.S.E. are the same concepts. We are lucky to have teachers who have prepared us well for both, and that is why I am confident I will do well on both.”
CHIME IN!
Supporters of The Daraja Academy were able to provide advice for the girls as they prepared for their exams. Think you have a good piece of advice for the students? It’s not too late! “Like” our Facebook page here, or follow the Daraja Academy on Twitter by clicking here, and let the girls know what you think!
Posted by Ashley on Thursday, April 5th, 2012 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
Grassroots Girls Club produces an income-generating venture in partnership with local NGO
Teddy, Form 3
How can you help your local community? The Grassroots Girls Club at Daraja posed that question to themselves, and came up with a fun, innovative program that would do just that. The Grassroots Girls partnered with MS Kenya to teach tribal dancing in exchange for a fee, the proceeds of which would go to the Mara Moja village. “The women from the Mara Moja village are not able to make enough money to support their families on just their egg sales alone,” said Teddy, Form 3. “From our dance instruction with MS, we are able to provide the women with funding for chickens, cages, and others items they might need in order to maintain their small businesses.”
Teddy joined the Grassroots Club to learn how to make a difference from within the roots of local communities. With the hopes of one day becoming a legislator, she cites the Grassroots Girls club as an effective tool for learning about democracy and leadership.
The Girls of Daraja Teach Massai Dancing
Though the dance instruction is typically a combination of several different tribes and cultures, recently the Daraja girls facilitated an introduction to Massai dancing for Danish visitors on campus. Step-by-step, song-by-song, the Danes followed along as the Daraja girls led them through integral parts of their culture.
“Today we taught the Danish group something we love to do, dance!” said Lillian, Form 3, with a smile. “We enjoy and appreciate being able to present our culture.”
When the Massai instruction ended, the Danes had a chance to return the favor by teaching the Daraja girls a song and dance popular in Denmark. Lillian, reflecting on why this activity was an important exchange, said, “It is important that tribes and cultures mingle, talk and share with one another so we can all improve our knowledge and acceptance of people who may be different than us.”
The Bigger Picture
The Daraja Academy offers a unique cultural experience. Not all high schools can boast of a cultural, religious and language diversity quite as rich. Tribal conflict in Kenya is not uncommon, but at Daraja, the girls learn to embrace their own identities and respect the differences between themselves and their school mates. With an astounding 24 tribes represented on one campus, the girls are encouraged to participate in unifying activities that celebrate their unique backgrounds.
Posted by Ashley on Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 , Posted in Blog, News , Comments Off
The girls' final practice before the competition
Last weekend in Nanyuki, over 30 schools met to face off in Netball and Athletics (Track & Field). The Daraja Academy dominated across the board, handily winning all 4 Netball games and advancing to next week’s regional tournament in several Athletic categories.
“At first, I felt very nervous,” Christine Jamaica, Form 4, said. “I thought, we might get defeated. But I decided before every game and before every event to just go for it. As soon as the games started, the nervousness went away. We worked as a team and we won. I was so happy.”
A true reflection of Daraja, representing 4 tribes, 2 religions, rural and city backgrounds, Gitwa, Nasibo, Lisayo and Catharine worked together to fly by the competition and win the 4 x 100 meter sprint. Jamaica stunned the competition by leading the Netball team to victory, as well as advancing in discus, shot put, and javeline for next week’s events.
Jamaica won’t be alone in her quest to advance regionally. Daraja athletes also advancing to the next round are:
Florence Mueni: 5000 Meter
Lisayo Kanje: 400 Meter Hurdle
Catherine Epur: Long Jump
Mary Poririas: Javeline
Joyce Masiya: 3000 Meter
…and the entire Netball team!
“The girls did a very good job,” Coach Wycliffe said about the competitions. These girls are able to be amazing academically, and then get on to the field and be just as great. Next week [at the Regional finals], the Daraja Academy will represent not only our school, but the entire district. This region of Kenya will be watching Daraja, and I believe we will live up to expectations.”
When final scores for the schools were tallied, Daraja took home first place overall, blowing out the closest competition by over 30 points. Even more impressive- the two runners up behind Daraja were co-ed schools. The girls of Daraja were not only the best girls’ school, but better than schools with girls and boys’ points combined.
Photos from the competition will be posted on our Facebook page here!
Stay tuned for updates on how the girls of Daraja place in next week’s events.
