Very simply, Kenya is a spectacular country. Its abundant wildlife and diverse, tribal cultures are awe inspiring. Though events related to the now suspicious December 28th election have become violent, Kenya is historically one of the most politically stable countries on the  continent. The growth and strength of the Kenyan economy was recognized by the international community and the country was designated  as a “developing nation” during the summer of 2007.

No longer weighed down by its “3rd World” status, Kenyans began their march towards a brighter tomorrow… however, some are being left behind.

In many of the world’s poor countries, families must pay to send their children to High School (secondary school) and Kenya is no different. It is a sad fact that hundreds of thousands of the country’s qualified, passionate students are excluded from education beyond the 8th grade because of financial reasons beyond their control. Potentially more dangerous is the cycle that is created: those who are stuck in poverty cannot earn a secondary school degree and without a secondary school degree they will not be able to get out of poverty.
 
But these capable students do not need to be left behind. The cycle can be broken. In conjunction with the Carr Educational Foundation, students and teachers at Woodside Priory of Portola Valley and Hogan High School of Vallejo have begun to make a difference, making it known that they believe ALL students deserve the right to an education and a brighter tomorrow.

Based on the recent demonstrations, violence and anger towards the Prime Minister one question must be asked: could there be a more appropriate time than now for a free education? During the period of colonial rule, the British created and amplified tribal tensions. They knew that a unified Kenya would be  difficult to govern and worked hard to keep the tribes divided. Clearly the ghosts of  those imperial days still haunt the country. Daraja Academy intends to exorcise those tensions and anxieties by creating a tribally diverse student body and staff. A cooperative representation of what Kenya can be.  

Help make history. The Daraja Academy is set to begin teaching its inaugural class of students in less than a year, but only with your help. In order to provide Kenya with its first free, secular education, funds must be raised and attention must be directed to these amazing young men and women. 

The Daraja Academy will be a school where bridges are built linking students in Kenya with their peers in the Bay Area and beyond. We encourage those who help to make this dream a reality to visit the campus and see what their hard work and vision has created.

The following facts about Kenya and the Daraja Academy will allow you to become more informed on the topic at hand. 

1. In 2003, free primary education was instituted in Kenya
2. To attend secondary school, students must pay for tuition, boarding costs, uniforms, books and other academic supplies.
3. Kenya’s government has historically been fairly stable.  It is a safe and welcoming place to start a school and has the infrastructure that will support our project.  They welcome stakeholders into Kenya for educational purposes.
4. In 2003, 1.7 million students entered the school system when free primary was offered.
5. 55% of students who complete primary are able to move onto secondary school. (There area myriad of factors—primarily cost, but also disease, school availability, inadequate curriculum that prepares them for their future, etc.)
6. 50% of the population lives on less than $1 per day. (Jeffrey Sachs, End of Poverty)
7. Every year of schooling raises a girl’s income by 10% (UNICEF )
8. According to International Food Policy Research Institute, Women’s education is the single most contributing factor to falling levels of hunger and malnutrition

 
Additional Information that may prove helpful:

The People
Forty-one percent of Kenya’s population lives in cities. Rural Kenyans generally live with their extended family in a cluster of huts, which provides shelter and symbolizes the closeness of the people living there. In a spirit of cooperation, family members share work responsibilities and resources as they support themselves through farming.

Many families are nomadic cow and goat herders. They spend the dry season, December to March, searching for lush pastures. They return for the rainy season, April to November, when their own land can provide adequate food for the animals.

Families often want to have many children because they are considered a valuable resource. A large family means more hands to help on the farm and ensures parents will be taken care of in their old age.

Although the Kenyan government provides schooling for children up to age eight, approximately 1.7 million children do not attend school because of failing economic and social systems.

A Brief  History
Kenya was colonized by the British, with settlers also arriving from South Africa, Australia, and Canada. Kenya gained independence from Great Britain in 1963.
Now a republic of East Africa, Kenya is home to more than 40 different ethnic tribes, which represent many languages and cultures. For decades it has been viewed was role model and beacon of hope to other African nations and has welcomed immigrants and refuges from around the continent.

Physical Geography
Soil and weather conditions, including drought, threatens the food supply. Only 17 percent of Kenya’s land is suitable for farming. The rest is arid and subject to frequent dry spells. The majority of sponsored children in Kenya come from these regions.

The equator divides the country almost in half. More than 240 miles of coastline on the Indian Ocean are lined with coconut, mangrove, and palm trees. Kenya also is home to one of the world’s highest mountains, Mt. Kenya. In spite of its location along the equator, Mt. Kenya remains snow-capped throughout the year.

Wild animals such as lions, giraffes, buffalos, elephants, zebras, leopards, and flamingos are found in the country’s numerous game parks.