At 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, Daraja’s Form 4s sat for their business exam, the final of twenty exams. Two and a half hours later, Daraja’s teachers and administration convened outside Exam Room 5, and entered the room just as test administrators finished collecting the papers. “You’re done,” said the administrator, and a loud cheer erupted from both students and staff. Nasibo, a Muslim, led the girls in prayer; then Teacher Mwambura lead a Christian prayer. (Daraja is not a religious school, but respects the importance of religion in Kenya.) His prayer quickly turned to lively dancing, singing, clapping, and shouting, and after this cathartic release of energy the girls lined up to hug their teachers and administration before heading off to lunch. Teachers and students alike shed tears as they exchanged hugs of gratitude.

“How does it feel?” was everyone’s question as the girls ate. Leila said, “It doesn’t feel like I’ve done all twenty exams – it feels like there are more coming.” At one point during lunch, Maureen needed her peers’ attention, and called out, “Form 4s!” only to be rebuked by shouts of, “We’re not Form 4s anymore!” The dining hall was filled with the buzz of excitement, relief, and pride, as girls ate small portions of githeri (saving room for a big dinner).

The rest of the day was spent packing, cleaning dorms, and discussing the upcoming transition program, which starts April 1, 2013, and while it is not mandatory, most Form 4s seem excited about it, because it means that today is not “goodbye,” but, rather, “see you later.” (The transition program will allow the newly completed Form 4s to return to Daraja for a few months in preparation for whatever comes next, be it university, working, creating businesses, etc. More information will be released next month!)
Then, at 6:30 p.m., everyone convened in the dining hall, which kitchen staff had spent the entire day preparing. Tables were lined up end-to-end to accommodate seating for all 25 Daraja girls, teachers, administration, and staff. Red tablecloths covered them, each topped by empty bottles full of flowers. Former Daraja teachers – Susan and Peris – and a Nanyuki priest – Father Cyral – were in attendance. There was a prayer, and then there was food – nyama choma (grilled beef), chicken, rice, salsa, chapatti, French fries, fruit salad, and soda. As they ate, Daraja cofounder Jason Doherty asked the girls to think about their “light bulb moment” – the moment when, at Daraja, it all “made sense.” “My light bulb moment,” he would explain later in the evening, “was at prayer day, when there was so much support – chiefs from nearby villages who chose to come here; the DEO who had a million other prayer days he could be at…When you were in Class 8, you were brave enough to apply to Daraja. There were 26 girls who dared to believe in themselves. You were the best. Don’t rest on that. In a few days that won’t mean much – you have to keep trying, keep excelling.”

Here’s a look at some of the light bulb moments and/or lists of gratitude:

Nasibo: “I am grateful for the administration, teachers, Daraja staff, and last, for the Form 4s. Thank you for being my sisters. Thank you for showing me love.”

Victoria (Deputy Principal): “I didn’t know how close we were and how blessed we were until prayer day – that was my light bulb moment.”

Leila: “I am so grateful for Teacher Peris, who taught me so much.”

Nurse Jacinta: Her favorite moment was a few weeks ago, when she saw how overwhelmed the Form 4s were with studying. So, she tricked them and told them she needed them to take a break from studying to cut the grass, but instead had them meet with her in her office to help the girls relax by joking around, talking, and having fun for a little while.

Mercy: “I am so grateful for the kitchen staff and all you do for us and all you’ve done for us tonight.”

Charles (Administration): His favorite moment was on March 2, 2010 – his birthday – when the Form 4s took him by surprise and dumped water on him. A year later it dawned on Charles, and the girls, that not only was March 2 his birthday, but it had also marked the year-anniversary of the first day of classes at Daraja.

Mary K: “I love the way Daraja supports different people who have different talents.”

Myna (farm staff): He was so proud of his Daraja sisters, whom he encouraged to excel outside school gates. “It is not ever my desire to see one of our students living in the streets,” he cautioned.

Benny: “I am grateful for WISH Class.”

Carol: She explained her appreciation of Daraja’s four pillars: 1 – be accountable for the role you play at Daraja, neither neglecting nor abusing it; 2 – maintain open communication – speak honestly and listen respectively; 3 – embrace differences and treat all with dignity and respect; and 4 – each day, leave it better than you found it. Carol also compared the Daraja family to a tree, saying that the sponsors and founders were like the roots (which grew and sustained the tree), teachers were the branch (that students could lean on) and Daraja staff were the leaves.

Teacher Mercy: “Students here are our motivation. At other schools you’re often pushing students who don’t want to learn. Here, everyone wants to learn.”

Lilian: “God never gives us a wish without the ability to make it come true. When I was in primary school I dreamed of going to secondary school, and now I’ve completed it.”

The presentations of gratitude were followed by a treat never before shared at Daraja – ice cream. As they enjoyed dessert, everyone watched a slideshow of pictures of the girls as younger students. Then, the girls presented a song that they dedicated to Jenni and Jason – “Because You Love Me,” by Celine Dion. Following the song, Jenni, tearing up, said, “Working with you has been our greatest privilege. We are who we are because you loved us. If we learned nothing else we learned about love – the power of love and inspiration…We just got to borrow you for four years. Now, you’re going to bring that love back home and spread this ripple effect.”

Thank you too all of the people that are involved with this project- the inspiring students, the incredible teachers, dedicated campus staff, passionate volunteers, hardworking board members, generous donors and loyal sponsors. We did it!

In her words-Newly completed Maureen’s take on her final day of high school:

I’m happy to finish my high school education and I thank the Daraja Family for making my life at Daraja a success by supporting me in every way. On the 20th I finished my last exam at 2:00. Before I started the exam I was thinking that it seemed like ten years before the test would end. When it ended I was so grateful and so excited. I couldn’t hold my tears back – I had to cry. At two when the papers were collected we had everyone come and cheer for us in the exam room, which was so emotional and exciting. People shed tears of joy. We sang, we prayed, and we hugged each other. I was so grateful.

In the evening we had a party. It was a celebration for us finishing school. We had everyone share a “light-bulb moment” and everyone shared what they’re grateful for and others gave gratitude to various groups around campus. The Form 4s dedicated a song to Ms. Jenni and Mr. Jason, and we danced, enjoyed the food, and said goodbyes to the teachers. We saw a slideshow of when we were younger – it reminded me of the memories we had when we arrived the first year. I saw I changed a lot. The way I came to Daraja is not the way I’m walking out today. I’m leaving Daraja a courageous lady who knows how to make decisions and who is independent.