Kenya was calling and the Doherty’s finally answered…

Five days ago and a few minutes before midnight, Jenni and I landed in Nairobi. After a quick visit to the M.S. Kenya headquarters the next morning, we left Kenya’s capital for campus with Daraja’s Dir. Of Operations Peter Wathitu, Andy Harley and Katie Ireland. Andy has been working hard on campus since he arrived in October, while Katie, a primary school teacher from Salinas, arrived the day before us, to lend a hand getting the campus prepped for the students who will be arriving in early February. Though lacking space, the cramped 4×4 did not lack an excited energy as we snaked our way north through the deep green central highlands of Kenya.

Though I had spent the better part of three months on campus this summer, it was the first time that Jenni and I would have been there together since our first introduction to the magical place on the second to last day of our “find-a-place-for-the-Daraja-campus-tour of 2007.” We were both excited, but I was a little nervous… what if she didn’t love the place as much as I, what if she didn’t see the potential that I did? what if, what if, what if… the worry was for not.

Driving through the gates that evening was not anti-climactic. During the hour before the sun drops below the African horizon, every tree, flower and blade of grass lights up with a golden glaze that only this continent understands how to cast. Those who have been here can speak to the absolutely unique hue that an African evening possess’ and it was in that hue that we arrived.

Seeing the staff again was incredible! Hugging Peter Rutere, Ruth, Lauren and of course, Kenya and Tusker, our skinny dogs – was second best only to watching Jenni greet and put a face to the people who had only been names in her imagination until that point. The dream that she and I had ridden so hard, finally had a home to rest and grow, full of incredibly capable people who believed in its purpose. We both cried.

The last few days have been a combination of “meet, greet and renovation.” Sometimes you can just feel when something is right. There is an incredibly rewarding feeling that comes with sweating in the hot sun, getting classrooms ready for girls who this autumn believed their futures were so bleak, but will soon discover the exact opposite.

The roots of this dream that is Daraja sprouted in the belief that people would rally to a worthy cause; in this case, providing access to a better future for girls of poverty who deserved one. The past few years have proved that this belief was true. If you are part of the Daraja family, take the opportunity that is this holiday season to tell others about the project, if you are not part of the family, join it. There is plenty of room for more.

Asante sana from the Daraja Academy,

Jason