Daraja Strength
There is strength in this new world that I call home. A quiet strength I hadn’t anticipated, a strength that I needed to know existed. Slowly, incrementally it is revealing itself to me.
I’d traveled through many African nations. I had lived in Tanzania for six months after college, before I broke my leg for the second time. However, I’d never seen strength worn with such nobility until Daraja Academy introduced herself to me. The reasoning behind this, I think, has less to do with Daraja Academy than the remarkable human beings that have been selected to attend the school.
As finals wrapped up and end of the year parties were thrown, a cloud passed over the school. News trickled in concerning a family member of one of Daraja’s brightest stars. Without naming names, a beautiful leader of the campus, sponsored by three incredible Marin County sisters and their giving circle, found out her 20 year old brother had just passed away, a victim of pneumonia.
The tragedy is compounded by the fact that this young lady lost her mother to a headache (most likely meningitis) three years ago, and her father last year when he was struck by a vehicle on a busy Kenyan highway. In three years she has gone from being the second youngest in a family of five… to the family’s 15-year-old matriarch. Other than an aunt and an elderly grand mother, it is a family of her and her 10-year-old little brother.
What a downer. Why share this on the Daraja Academy BLOG?
As we try to define what the Daraja Academy BLOG is, I can honestly say that I may be wrong to share this, but the fact of the matter is… this is real. Life isn’t always smiles and songs and frankly, it shows just how strong and amazing these girls are. It shows the sort of obstacles that Jenni and I, the Carr Educational Foundation board and all of Daraja’s supporters face. This is not a bubble gum charity… which is why our successes are so powerful.
Our beautiful star has gone home and she will mourn with family. Knowing her, she will return and be stronger than ever, more resolute to succeed. But now, there is sadness on campus and she is in our thoughts and prayers.
Perhaps I was wrong when I wrote that her family is just her and her little brother. Three Daraja students and members of the staff traveled miles into the Aberdare Mts. to attend the funeral. They held their classmate while she cried for her deceased brother and they kissed away some of the pain. Daraja Academy, the students, staff, and administration has become a family. In one year, bonds have been built that are strong… and growing stronger. In January we will travel across Kenya locating 25 more wonderful girls who will join the family.
Perhaps the time for you to join has come as well.
Jason Doherty
Filed under From the Founder : Comments (5) : Dec 3rd, 2009
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 PM
She truly is a bright star and I know she will get through this.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:05 AM
Dear Jason and Jenni,
This is such a beautiful piece about strength of character and purpose of heart. I cannot wait to meet the girls and share the courage and wisdom on Kenyan soil.
much love…
December 6th, 2009 at 10:42 AM
As difficult these times are for this student, without your school she would be much worse off. Think about the opportunity you have given her as well as all of the students. After all, this is what Daraja is all about.
December 7th, 2009 at 7:14 AM
Our prayers are coming from all over the globe as we continue to love and support these strong young women. What a testiment of the Daraja family, and amazing that it is revealing itself through this tough time to be not just a family but a life-long community for these girls. Please give lots of hugs for me, I long to be there.
December 8th, 2009 at 7:30 AM
Dear Jason and Jenni,
It is so critical that stories such as this one are shared with those who are supporting this incredible school and especially with those who are still considering providing their support. Your “this is not a bubble gum charity” quote resonated well and gets directly to the point, this is real life in your community and it is important for those who cannot visit the Academy to truly understand the surrounding conditions and human element. It is through these experiences and tragedies that we learn the true value of the school! You and your staff are providing more than an education, you are providing an environment that creates family and helps these wonderful young women learn important principles and values that will be shared among their immediate families.
Continued success and congratulations on your 1st Year of the Academy!