This is a proud moment for Daraja. Not only has Maureen written a beautiful and personal piece about winning the Girl Effect Challenge, but the article has been published online for Ayaka Magazine…Maureen’s first piece! Click here to see the full article and Maureen’s name in the byline!

Here’s an excerpt:

“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.

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.”