Posted by Jenni Doherty on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 , Posted in Students , Comments Off
My life has not been so well since I was young up until I got a chance to join Daraja. I grew up in a family of five siblings. At the beginning when I was in class five, my parents passed away and from there, my life started getting ruined because there was no one else to take care of us.
We struggled to get help from anyone willing to help us. My siblings and I never gave up instead we kept praying hard that one day God will answer our prayers.
My life began becoming harder day-by-day until one of our uncles decided to take all of us to his family and take care of us. He treated us just like his children. He provided us anything that we asked him for. As the days passed, he started getting tired because it was hard to take care of us five plus his own family.
By that time, I was now in standard six while my older sister was in Form 1. I could not concentrate in class because of the challenges I was faced with. I would often cry and sometimes could not study anymore because it would add a lot of stress to my head. I would just sit in class crying, but no one bothered or cared about me shedding tears. I always asked myself questions, but they were rhetorical which needed no answers. I always asked myself why God could let us suffer by taking our parents away and leaving us with no one to take care of us.
One day as I was seated under a tree crying loudly, one of my friends saw me and came running. She asked me why I was crying. I thank God because he gave me strength to be open with her. She gave me a lot of advice and told me that God has no bad plans for us and actually has good plans for us. I utilized the advice she gave me and tried to concentrate on my studies. I knew that focusing on my studies and trusting in God was the only way to get out of problems I was experiencing.
After concentrating in class, I was able to be one of the top three students in my class. When the primary final exams came, I was able to tackle them without any fear. I was in luck because I received marks that allowed me to join a secondary school. In my mind I had no idea whether I could join a secondary school. Although I got good marks, there was not anyone to support me in my education. Every morning I woke up, I would always pray to my dear God to help me go on with my studies.
As I was still waiting for an answer from God I heard that there was a school starting that year and they needed girls who are unable to continue with their education including those without parents. I sent the application letter to the school, but I didn’t get any response. I kept on sending more until I got a response saying that in order to join the school, I had to do the interview. When the interview day came, I was a little nervous, but I gave myself courage that I could make it. Surely when the results were out, I was among those who had passed. I was given the letter of acceptance to Daraja. I was so grateful to my dear Lord and the students at Daraja. I remember this very day.
Daraja is my home and I believe it will affect my life positively. It will also change my family’s life. When I finish school, I would like to start a school for children who can’t afford education and also an orphanage.
I want to change other people’s lives just the way mine has been changed.
Posted by Jenni Doherty on Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 , Posted in Testimonials , Comments Off
It all started last Fall, when founders Jenni and Jason Doherty came to speak at Marin Academy and my son Jono and wife Joanne came home talking about a school in Kenya and how Jono was thinking he might travel to Africa this summer. My first thought was, ‘East Africa? No way.’ Then I too met the Dohertys and learned more about this incredible program.
After some discussion about the school’s needs and research into various fundraising approaches, Jono began writing letters to – well – everyone, in an attempt to fund a computer lab for the school. The response was astounding. Seemingly everyone who heard of the project wanted to help. Ultimately, Jono raised over $7,000 in donations, plus another few thousand dollars’ worth of digital cameras donated by members of the Marin Photography Club.
Because of the limited electrical power at the school, the decision was made to buy Toshiba netbooks with 10 hour batteries. (I’ll add a plug for Best Buy here: When the local salesman was approached and learned more about the project, he found a way to offer the supplies below his cost!
So to Kenya went a room-full of laptops, mice, headphones, external hard drives, digital cameras, flash drives (for students and staff to store their data), DVD/CD-RW drives, an N-band wireless router, 240V surge protectors, and assorted cleaning supplies and peripherals. In short, an entire computer and photography lab!
But the lab was just the starting point. The focus of the project simultaneously turned to teaching the concepts necessary to take advantage of these tools. Lesson plans were created for basic computer learning and introductory photography skills. In addition, John King, a retired engineer who teaches seniors to use computers in the local adult ed program, was recruited to write companion written lessons for the computer project. In addition to the countless hours that he put into writing four lessons, he offered some great advice for the classroom curriculum. (At the Cavallo Point fundraiser, he and his wife also bought a cow for the school. “After all,” he said, “when else in their lives would they be able to say that they bought a cow?”)
As winter turned into spring, it was decided that it would be me that would be joining Jono in Kenya. While we talked through curriculum development and how to present the concepts to students with little if any prior technology access, Joanne assisted with fundraising and took care of the medical aspects of our trip preparation – each day seemed to bring a new vaccination. J
When visiting the U.S. in May, Jenni and Jason volunteered to help transport the equipment the 9,600 miles to the school. The computers and cameras were farmed out between them, us, and a half dozen other volunteers who were making the trip. (And I still fondly remember the day when we brought the equipment over to their home. What an exciting moment as all of the planning took on the air of reality that this was all going to happen.)
A few weeks later, school in Marin was out and Jono and I made the long trip to Kenya.
Posted by Jenni Doherty on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 , Posted in Testimonials , Comments Off
In September 2009 Boulder’s Daraja supporters got together to throw a benefit and spread the word about the amazing work being done at Daraja Academy. With about 100 people in attendance, including founders Jason and Jenni Doherty, the Boulder community opened their hearts to the incredible and inspiring work unfolding at Daraja. The money raised at that event helped welcome a second class of girls to Daraja Academy. Once you hear of the passion Jason and Jenni have for the young women of Kenya, you can’t help but become a part of their dream. Looking back over the past year and knowing all of the important strides Daraja has made since September it’s hard to believe what has happened: new class of students, dorms being built, water supply in place, computer room, etc. The girls of Daraja are so lucky to be a part of this ground breaking program. Well done, Daraja Academy! Boulder is here for you!
Posted by Jenni Doherty on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 , Posted in Testimonials , Comments Off
I first met Jason and Jenni at a fundraiser right after they acquired Daraja Academy. Their passion and vision for the school was inspiring. Over the next year I watched Daraja Academy become a reality as they welcomed their first class of girls. After hearing about another volunteer’s experience, I was sold! Within months I was on a plane to Nairobi with a suitcase filled with treats for the girls. Upon arrival, I found that my first challenge was to learn the names of the 26 girls and all the staff. Soon I learned not only the girl’s names, but where their families lived, their favorite subjects and what the wanted to be when they grew up. The school campus is spread over 60 acres and houses not only the students, but the teachers, kitchen staff, guards and all their families. In addition there are chicken, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, cows and birds that roam the lands. My accommodations were lovely – a rondoval (a circular building with thatched roof and mud walls) with a big bedroom, bath and sitting area. I felt safe walking around the campus and in the nearby towns. Equipped for any possible health challenge, I ate everything and didn’t have problems at all.
Over the two weeks of my visit, I taught several classes on public speaking. With time I watched some very shy girls gain confidence in their new skills. In the last week, they even asked for an extra class on their day off. These young girls are eager to learn all they can so that they have the skills to become successful doctors, nurses, journalists and teachers. I am confident that Daraja Academy is giving them what they need to realize their dreams. Leaving the girls of Daraja was tough. It was hard to say goodbye to these beautiful girls and the magic of Daraja. We were all comforted by my promise to visit again. I plan to return to to Daraja next Spring.
Posted by Jenni Doherty on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 , Posted in Testimonials , Comments Off
Volunteering at Daraja was a valuable and interesting experience that I will always treasure. Living at the foot of Mount Kenya in my own rondoval on the campus was fantastic. The scenery and wildlife was the perfect backdrop for my experience. As a volunteer at Daraja I was able to be involved in a multitude of activities. I started the school’s netball team, assisted the teachers, helped with the media club, tutored the girls and helped in the garden. ?The most rewarding experience was to meet and to get to know each of the girls. Despite their tough backgrounds they are so incredibly strong, motivated and honestly very inspirational. It was because of the girls that leaving Daraja was very difficult and yet happy as I felt so privileged to have been able to help them. I would highly recommend volunteering at Daraja to those with an adventurous spirit and to those who do not mind getting their hands dirty!
- Charlotte Cameron, Australia
