Thanks to all of you, Daraja fever is spreading fast and the organization is growing rapidly! That’s why the Carr Educational Foundation office in San Rafael, California is looking for a fantastic new member to join the team. We’re looking for an intern that can come into the offices 2-3 times a week to help. Although the position is unpaid, the intern will gain fantastic nonprofit experience. Check out the job description and apply!
When Daraja Academy first started, the administrators figured they could invite girls to campus for the admissions interviews. They learned almost immediately, however, that they’d lose out on the population of girls who could not afford even the small transportation cost that is required to get to Daraja Academy.
“We noticed girls were missing their opportunity at a 4-year scholarship because they couldn’t afford the little it took to get to campus,” recalls co-founder Jason Doherty. “Those are exactly the girls that Daraja wants to invest in so we had to adjust the student selection process.”
Every January, Daraja’s administrative team now travels throughout Kenya to reach young women in remote villages and overpopulated slums.
Nike’s Girl Effect campaign has conducted some of the most extensive research on helping girls in developing nations and has found that “It is the most vulnerable girl whose life will improve the most, and who will bring the greatest return back to her community.” Helping a girl is important, but helping certain girls is what creates change. These girls are the ones that are otherwise forgotten.
There is an 80% dropout rate from primary school to secondary school for children in Kenya, according to the 2009 Kenya census. The statistics are even more staggering for girls, in poverty, who are often obligated to household chores, or provide immediate income to the family if married or forced into prostitution. Compound that with the reality that more than half of Daraja’s students are orphaned, and it makes going to secondary school nothing short of a miracle for the student body currently on campus.
It also means the impact of their education will be that much greater.
Watch the video below to see how Jason describes the selection process:
Who doesn’t want to have some fun under the sun? Sunny San Diego is the perfect place to participate in a beautiful run/walk and get Southern California talking about the incredible Daraja girls. The Mermaid Series is a female-only event, dedicated specifically to empowering women and girls. Couldn’t get more perfect right? Wait, it can. Daraja is adding a twist. Not wanting to exclude our amazing male supporters, we’re encouraging the gentlemen of Daraja to be the race day cheerleaders!
February 11, 2012
Join us at Mission Bay in San Diego for a fun 5k, 10k, 1/2 Marathon run/walk on Saturday, February 11th 2012. You’ll get to soak in the sights of Mission Bay and be treated to festive post race expo!
A cool plus? You can bring the kids- if they are girls.
Bring out your mini mermaid for the girls 1.5 mini mermaid run!
The mini mermaid is for girls ages 6-12.
Given the fun and success of the Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco last May, San Diego will be using the same Race for Daraja format. Once you register for the race (and receive a Daraja discount!), you will be matched with a Daraja girl and asked to find 10 sponsors for the race. Trust us, you’ll have a blast.
Get all the details here!
The morning the Nike Girl Effect Challenge ended, I came out of my exam at 10 a.m. Shouts and screams filled the air and I knew that we had won.
I went to the dining hall where the results were posted. From a distance I saw a huge poster with the words: “We Are The Girl Effect” – and I learned that our school, Daraja Academy, was in second place. I jumped up and screamed and all the other girls did the same. Even though it was tea break, I was too excited to have my tea.
Maureen and a teacher at Daraja (Photo Credit – www.daraja-academy.org)
I was happy to win because I know that the dreams of many girls will come true from the support of the Nike Girl Effect. I believe in girls and know that they can change the world; with a little support, they can do a lot.
Being part of the Girl Effect Challenge will make me always dream big. It is a competition for yearly funding from the Nike Global Giving Project.
My dream is to become a journalist or a tour guide. To achieve this, I will work hard at school, get good grades and get advice from people in the field. I also want to join a university, where I will learn all about how to become a good journalist or tour guide. When I saw how people volunteered and donated money to support girls through the Girl Effect Challenge, it motivated me to work harder. It also made me want to help more people in return, because there are so many who want help but can’t find it. (Continue…)
Leadership training over the holidays – Leila and Grace, who previously attended a conference about women’s opportunities in Kenyan politics, are at an East African Self Leadership training in Nairobi. They have spent most of their week in the city, learning from other women and members of GROOTS. Both girls are very active in the Grassroots club on campus, so we’re confident that they’ll have plenty to share with their friends and teachers when they’re back on campus next month.
Grace and Leila
Recovering from the downpour – After weeks of rain, people all across Kenya are getting back on their feet after floods caused damage to livestock, crops, roads and bridges. On campus we were quite lucky, although we’ve been unable to pump river water since the storms. Daraja’s drinking water is boiled rain water, of which we have plenty. But for cleaning and bathing, we rely on water pumped from the river. Peter Rutere, director of maintenance, suspects there was damage to the connection between the generator and pumphouse, which should be repaired this weekend. While most buildings on campus are without running water, staff are fetching water from a borehole on the property.
One of Alex's gabions, standing strong
The rains were the first big test for gabions that volunteer Alex Rodondi built in the summer. The gabions are wire-mesh frames filled with rocks, which act as miniature dams to slow the flow of water and prevent soil erosion during heavy rains. Rutere says they held up very well against the downpours.
Stay connected and learn about what the girls are doing!
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