Hello from the Daraja Academy campus. It’s Friday morning and the campus is buzzing, preparing for the end of the first term. Incredibly Term 1 will wrap up with 4 days of intensive examinations—starting Monday morning, the girls of Daraja Academy will sit through 9 two-hour assessments in Physics, English, Algebra, Business Studies, Swahili, Biology, History, Chemistry, and Music.
Based on what I have seen in the classroom, I would be very surprised if the students didn’t shine on their exams. Our small class sizes, coupled with weekly tutoring sessions with the MS Kenya/Global Platform volunteers gives them an academic advantage they’ve never had before.
The girls have also requested to have a going away party/talent show on the last night of the term. The idea started a few weeks ago when the Daraja students were invited to the Global Platform (the fancy name for the 2 dorms and 3 rondavels on the southwest corner of Daraja’s campus where the MS Kenya volunteers from Denmark stay) to watch and learn traditional Maasai songs and dances. Our students LOVED IT! The girls were up and dancing regardless of tribe. In fact, thus far I believe Daraja’s strength is the eagerness of our girls to learn, a