1. Daraja means “bridge” in Swahili

2. How the “bridge” idea came about:

• a. Bridge from education to application: Kids get out of school, very bright, but no access to the next step.  Daraja will give them practical and applicable skills that will prepare them for a vocation or for higher education.
• b. Bridge for the poor who couldn’t afford secondary school, and for girls who are most likely to marry without an education
• c. Bridge out of the slums—showing students there are other ways of living.
• d. Bridge for U.S. volunteers to experience Africa and the needs in the country
• e. Bridge for U.S. students to see that the world is interconnected.
• f. Bridge from who the students are now to who they want to be

3. Daraja is a school for under-privileged teenagers who cannot pay for school (those marginalized due to economic standing, social standing, disease, ability, etc.)

4. It will be a boarding school so we can educate the whole student by providing basic necessities:

Food, Shelter, Clothing, Proper healthcare, Support, Electricity

And other things that will aid in their development:

Technology, Access to humanities and the arts, Vocational Training, Liberal studies

5. 400 students at its peak.  But we will start with 50 students per year.

6. Student teacher ratio = 25:1

7. Our school will be using the Laikipia Baraka School facilities near Mt. Kenya.

9. Student population will be drawn from 3 areas initially: 

• a. Nairobi Slums
• b. Northern Tribes (Samburu, Turkana, Maasai)
• c. Local community around school – The Likipia Plateau

 Click here for more information specifically about the Daraja Academy.