Posted by Daraja Academy on Monday, May 24th, 2010 , Posted in Students , 1 Comment »
Name: Lilian David
Grade Level: Form 2
Age: 15
As a child growing up, I always believed that I have a gift of writing but didn’t have an idea of what to write about. Today one of the most interesting things I love doing in my leisure time is writing my life history. I give out what is with within me because it is of help not only to me but to all.
Journal Entries:
“I once was in the midst of darkness when life tried to challenge my heart and mind. Goals seemed to be unachievable and though I was a failure, I embraced everything and empowered myself with trust, then went ahead and put on a spare tire of strong determination, added oil of perseverance, and changed my heart with positive network. Through the struggle I was able to learn that everything was and is achievable if we have passion and energy towards it.”
“True ladies never give up but accept the reality. The best part of experience is the ride itself. They accept disappointments, rejections and even failures and continue with the journey without turning back, because they know the only barrier that can hinder them or make them losers are they themselves.”
“My name is Lilian Wanjini Nduhiu and we are only two in the family. My younger brother and I. Am a lady who was born with great ambition and a gift of love and trust. Part of my life is of giving what I know to others. Ability I have to make my future bright and full of happiness. Choices I have towards tomorrow. Am what I am today to make tomorrow great. I stand with what I know to do what I don’t know. Am a woman of integrity, strength and hope. I accept the realities and never give up. Also setting goals and dreams because everything worthwhile in life starts with a dream. I love helping and giving love to the rejected, giving them bundle of hugs and shoulder to cry on. We are all equal and need great love. The purpose of this life is to be useful. Action springs not from thoughts but from readiness for responsibility.”
“Mr. D & Ms. Jenni
Nothing in the world can take their place.
They empowered their minds and thoughts,
Picked a dream which they were passionate in
And were enthusiastic about.
They did the best they could and built a strong foundation for the future of the girls.
This is love more than love. They inspire everybody around them
Shining day and night to those
Who know them.
Love explodes from a small community (DARAJA)
To every corner of the world!”
Love,
Lilian David
Posted by Daraja Academy on Monday, May 24th, 2010 , Posted in Blog , Comments Off
On behalf of the girls of Daraja, Jason and Jenni Doherty would like to thank you for your generous contribution to Daraja Academy in memory of Rich Harley. Because of your support, Harley Hall was completed in February 2010.
Please join us for a fun evening and a chance to hear about the progress of Daraja and the dedication of Harley Hall.
What:
Harley BBQ in celebration of Rich Harley
When:
Thurs, May 27th at 6:30 pm
Where:
The Doherty House
228 Margarita Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903 US
View Map
You can check out the official evite here! Hope to see you there!
Posted by Daraja Academy on Monday, May 17th, 2010 , Posted in Blog , 3 Comments »
“What is this…Daraja?” asked one of the timekeepers at this weekend’s Zonal Championships, an annual Kenyan event in which students from various schools compete to represent their zone (region). “Oh, I hear it’s towards that direction,” slyly replies Wycliffe, Daraja’s Swahili and Geography teacher.
Apparently, a lot of people were asking the same thing this past Friday & Saturday when this phantom school that no one had heard of, and wasn’t even officially on the competition’s program until that morning was consistently placing 1st and 2nd in numerous competitions.
Given the little practice our students had, we figured Zonal Championships would just be a forum in which everyone tried their best. We didn’t really know what to expect. But once we got there, we gradually realized that, not only were we competitive, but our students were coming out on top in quite a few events! To see pictures of the event, take a peak at the Daraja Flickr Gallery.
Netball:
“I had a dream we went to district!” said Bennie. “I had a dream that we were celebrating. Then, I woke up and my blankets and sheets were on the side of the bed because I had been playing netball in my sleep!”
Despite having an official team for only a week—and some students, including Bennie, joining only 3 days before game time– Daraja’s netball team managed to reach 2nd place in the regional athletics competition, qualifying them to represent Laikipia East at the district competition next weekend.
[By the way, if you are American, then chances are rather high that you have never heard about netball. Netball is an English sport derived from basketball. A few differences include: no dribbling, no backboard, and no calling out player names to communicate. Check out the wikipedia article
Track & Field:
Lisayo, a Form 1 student, had made it to provincials last year and managed to come out top ranked again this year despite not having practiced her running very much. Catherine, one of Daraja’s top athletes, proved she deserved to go to district as well.
Check the official standings below. These students will compete in the upcoming district competition this weekend.
| Student |
Event |
Position |
| Lisayo |
2000M |
1st |
|
100MH |
2nd |
| Mary P |
Javelin |
1st |
| Catherine |
Long Jump |
2nd |
| Christine Jamaica |
Discus Throw |
1st |
|
Javelin |
2nd |
| Netball Team |
Netball |
2nd |
Zonals is the first step. Next up is the district competition. The students will be training all this week in preparation and we’ll be sure to update you on the weekend’s events and standings. Below is a list of the various levels of competition:
- Zonals (Regionals) in Nanyuki
- District in Nanyuki
- Provincials in Nakuru
- Finals in Mombasa
Stay Tuned!
- The Daraja Team
Posted by Daraja Academy on Wednesday, May 12th, 2010 , Posted in Blog , Comments Off
San Diego supporters: If you couldn’t attend the wonderful event last Saturday because of location, don’t worry because the event is coming to you! If you live in San Diego, join the University of San Diego’s School of Leadership and Education Sciences this evening. There will be a silent auction, presentation by Jason and Jenni Doherty and special guest speaker Deborah Santana presenting a short film on her recent visit to the campus.
Make this a special Wednesday night and come by to show your love & support!
Location:
SOLES building on the USD campus
5998 Alcala Park, Hill Hall Sala
San Diego, CA 92110 US
For details on the event, check out the evite at http://tinyurl.com/USDWATEREVENT.
Posted by Daraja Academy on Saturday, May 8th, 2010 , Posted in News , 1 Comment »
This Mother’s Day weekend, join founders Jason and Jenni Doherty and Daraja supporter Deborah Santana for a magical evening. The night’s aim is to provide full funding for unsponsored Daraja girls-many who do not have the fortune to celebrate this weekend with a mother of their own. A scholarship doesn’t just mean an education, it means food, healthcare services and most importantly, a place to call home.
So try something different out this Mother’s Day weekend. Join us tonight at Cavallo Point in Sausalito at 6pm. There will be a short film by Emmy Award-winning director Barbara Rick, food and drinks!
For more details, check out the event’s official link: http://www.deborahsantana.com/index.php/daraja-fundraiser
It will be a night to remember so don’t miss out!
Posted by Daraja Academy on Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 , Posted in Blog , 1 Comment »
The Daraja students have officially returned to campus after a three-week break and their first lesson already occurred during their transport back to Nanyuki, a town a half hour away from Daraja Academy.
The students take a matatu from their respective homes to Nanyuki. A matatu is a mini van used for public transport and one of the most popular modes of transporation in the country. It’s rather typical to be overcharged by an aggressive matatu driver as he is trying to make an extra buck. To get a fair price, you have to be just as clever. And apparently, you are not exempt from the tricks of the trade, even if you are a young woman in school uniform.
Since Nanyuki is half hour away from the school, members of the Daraja staff pick up the students from Nanyuki and take them to campus. The picture above is the ride from Nanyuki to campus, the girls having seen each other for the first time in weeks. Hot Topic of the Ride? Form 1s realizing they got ripped off by the matatu drivers…
Alice A, Form 1: “I gave that matatu driver 500 shillings for a 350 shilling ride and he never gave me my change back!”
Anastacia, Form 1: “You paid 350 shillings from Nakuru to Nanyuki? The driver charged me 550 shillings!”
Thankfully, not everyone was duped:
Caroline, Form 2: “This man tried to charge me before he even showed me if he had a car. I refused!”
Small signs of empowerment- Our form 2 girls understand their rights and have learned how NOT to be ripped off by the matatu drivers! Ah, the Form 1s will learn soon enough!……
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