Posted on May 16, 2012 by Paria Posted in Blog, News
Ashley shows the Form 4s how to maintain Daraja's Facebook page
“Technology has revolutionized the way we communicate with one another,” Ashley, Daraja’s communication intern told the Form 4s. “The internet has forced us into technological evolution. Our interactions have changed. Our expectations of one another have changed. And the methods of telling the world about this amazing academy have proliferated.”
The final note, getting the word out about Daraja, was the most exciting to the students.
“We can speak to our supporters directly,” Leila said, as she volunteered to type the group’s first Facebook status update. “What should we say?” She turned around and looked at her peers.
Hadijah offered, “We should say thank you. We should tell them how much their support means to us.”
“And we love you!” Florence chimed in.
The Internet provides a more effective means to maintain relationships between the students on campus and the greater Daraja family around the world. “With regular mail, it can take sometimes weeks, months, sometimes longer for letters to come and go,” Marylene said. “But if we can learn how to use email, we can send mail instantly and not worry if it will get to the person.”
Said Teacher Wycliff, who set up the demonstration, “It is important that the Form 4s learn to how to use this technology. This is the way the world works, and before they graduate, they need to know how to communicate with people.”
Benny volunteers to type on behalf of Form 4 Blue
Posted on May 15, 2012 by Paria Posted in Blog, News
We just found out a Race for Daraja team from Australia will participate in Bay to Breakers, bringing three continents together in support of girls’ education!
Separated by two oceans. United by a single cause.
The excitement for Bay to Breakers continues as Toorak College at Mount Eliza in Australia brings amazing news that around 50 girls have created a Race for Daraja team. The 9th graders are set to begin their 12k run at 4:30pm on May 19th, becoming the first team to start the race . Some girls will run a couple kilometers in teams, other will attempt the feat of completing the entire race in the hopes that their enthusiasm and perseverance will draw even more attention to this important cause.
Once the race in Australia has been completed, the girls are celebrating in style with a student-led disco-dance party, movies and a sleepover.
Equally impressive as the additional burst of momentum they’re bringing to this highly anticipated event, is the logo Team Toorak created. Great job, ladies, and welcome to the Daraja Family!
Posted on May 14, 2012 by Paria Posted in Blog, News
Despite a campus strictly inhabited with bright, energetic, sharp leaders, at the end of each term, only one girl from each class can rise as the best of the best. Jael, Lilian, Alice and Monicah garnered the top positions in their respective classes, and here’s how they did it.
Jael, Form One:
When our teachers are giving instructions, I listen well. After the lessons are over, during my free time, I read again what we read in class, and I revise and revise until my work is perfect. When I come across things I do not understand, I ask teachers or the older students for help explaining, and then I make sure that I can say it back in my own words.
My advice for my peers who might find struggles with classes is to read and read until you understand the subject. Consider asking more questions in class, and she should use her free time to study and revise her work. If I know the answer, I will tell her. If not, we can ask a teacher together. I think when a student asks and learns from a student, it is easier to understand and easier to remember.
Lilian, Form 2
I was surprised and so happy that I placed at the top of my class. I did not expect it, but I do work very hard so I expected to be in the top 10. If I had a secret, it would be to work hard in class, and also outside of class. I study and review during study hall, break and free time, to make sure that I understand all of the information given to me.
Alice N., Form 3:
My favorite class is business studies. I am going to start a business one day. Don’t ask me what yet, but someday, I will. My favorite part about business studies is understanding that most people go to University to get a job in a big town, but if you start your own business, you can create your own job anywhere.
This is my second time getting the highest marks in my form. I work really hard to get the best grades that I can by doing the following things: I revise all my work, I participate in discussion questions, I ask the teachers anything I do not understand, and I concentrate in class.
My advice to other students is not to focus on being number one in the class, but being the best student that you can personally be.
Monicah, Form Four:
This was not the first time I have placed as number one. I have been at the top of my class three other times, but this time, I was surprised! Betty has been beating me this year!
I am not the kind of person who can read for 2 hours continuously and remember all the information, so I work hard at taking notes, asking questions to teachers, and reviewing my work again and again. If I had a secret, I would say that it would be talking to my teachers all the time. Sometimes you can find out what areas to focus on for tests if you ask the right questions.
It is very important to me to do well in school. Here in Kenya most classes that will prepare me for a career are in University. You need high marks to attend University, so I focus on working very hard.
Posted on May 12, 2012 by Paria Posted in Blog, News
Dear Daraja Family,
Bay to Breakers is an exclusively important event in our lives. It has created an opportunity for us to participate in fundraising money that is of benefit to our wellbeing in general, and our education in particular. Many are the times that volunteers have worked hard to support us –mind you they work even for extra hours just to see to it that we are faring on well in our education- but we have not at any given point made any contributions. Now, with the existence of Bay to Breakers, we are able to play a part in fundraising for Daraja. Apart from being able to take part in fundraising for our selves, Bay to Breakers has also been a strong source of funds for the sustainability of Daraja.
Last years event was full of fun; it had been anticipated by everyone ion campus. Some of us got an opportunity to realize their hidden talent, which is running. It was really surprising that some girls could run faster than we actually thought they would! Lisayo, who is currently a third year student in Daraja, emerged first!!! She is super fast, she was ahead of me (Teddy) by seventeen good laps. It is with no doubt that she is going to be first this year again. Though we do have other good runners. Last year, we had some motivating music which kept us going, and cheers from our teachers also motivated us a lot.
On behalf of the Daraja family, we sincerely appreciate the great effort our supporters are putting in for Daraja. It touches our hearts that some of you do not even know us that well yet you have the heart to make our futures bright by offering us an opportunity to get educated. We wish that there would be greater words than THANK YOU that would express how much we appreciate your kindness, love and care, then we would say that word to you.
To visit our very own Crowdrise page, click here!
Carol, Form 4
Teddy, Form 3
With lots of love,
Teddy Nyakado and Carol Nyangi.
(Bay to Breaker School Captains)
Posted on May 12, 2012 by Paria Posted in Blog, News
Welcome Home, Ladies!
Reunited! Friends Moreen (F2) and Lilian (F3)
The campus is busy and bustling again, as the girls made the trek from their respective homes and villages all across Kenya back to Daraja. “Home is 3 matatu (bus) rides away,” Fatuma, Form 2 said. “I traveled for maybe 6 hours on matatus to get to Daraja. I am so happy to be back at school!”
School beautification
Monday morning after Flag, Forms 4 got right back to the books with exams and K.C.S.E. prep. Forms 1 through 3 spent the morning planting trees down by the MS platform. Said Zaituna, “Yes, we are digging holes and planting trees. But we are doing more than that. We are making our home a more beautiful place to live.”
Baaaaaay to Breakers!
The countdown to Bay to Breakers continues! The accumulation of excitement keeps building with cheer teams forming, a Bay to Breakers anthem in the works, and plans for a huge pep rally/bonfire are made for B2B Eve. A morning ritualistic chant has been started, where the entire school cheers, claps and stomps during the B2B countdown chant: “Baaaaay to Breakers! Baaaaay to Breakers! <stomp, stomp, clap! stomp, stomp, clap!> 10 days left!”
Daraja intern team: Leah, Ashley, & Marybeth
Comings & Goings
Guest motivational speaker Preist Cyril joined the girls on campus Tuesday. Said Charles, Dean of Curriculum, “He challenged them to work hard and to transform their lives. He helped them create goals and taught them ways to perseverance through challenges”
The Daraja intern team welcomes new member, Marybeth! “Coming from Chattanooga, Tennessee, I didn’t know about Bay to Breakers. But I sure do now, and the importance of this event to these girls is clear. This is an event that creates excitement and unity around a common cause: girls’ education.”
