New form 1’s!

It’s only been 1 month since our newest form 1s arrived, but they are already settled into campus life. It’s amazing to see how much passion they have for Daraja already! I wanted to hear their fresh perspectives on the school, so I wrote a few questions on paper and passed them around. Here are some of the responses I got back:

  How do you feel about being accepted to Daraja?

• It is such an exciting journey we have begun! We want to appreciate our sponsors, the committee, and the founders of Daraja who gave us this great opportunity!
• It is such an honor to know we were chosen among hundreds of students. We promise to put our noses to the grindstone and make Daraja proud!

  Why is it important for you as a Daraja girl to work hard and get good grades?

• This opportunity is very rare. Daraja gave us a chance not wholly on the basis of good grades but also other factors affecting a Kenyan girl child such as FGM. We should strive hard and show how we appreciate this opportunity.
• To make the people who sponsor us proud to be helping deserving girls.
• Also we do it because “She believed she could so she did.” Women who are empowered always start with a good education.

What do you think of your classes?

• The lessons are very interesting. It’s amazing how we were ready to start the curriculum the first week we arrived. The teachers were all hands on deck and very keen to the schedule.
• I love how active we are, especially during computer lessons, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.
• The timing of each lesson is well-planned and manageable.

How are weekends on campus?

• Weekends are my favorite because I get to interact with other students, especially our older sisters. We get to dance during entertainment or watch a movie. We just get to relax our minds from the weekday tasks.
• There is also campus cleaning, which we love doing because it makes us responsible for our surroundings and environment. Even doing our laundry is awesome. These kinds of duties prepare us to be responsible women.

What do you think about the four pillars of Daraja?

• They are the greatest guide for us. Daraja is training us to think independently and be able to do things with minimal supervision.

Daraja girls new and old live the four pillars of Daraja. I invite you to live them too!

The four pillars

1. Be accountable for the role you play at Daraja neither neglecting or abusing it.
2. Maintain open communication, speak honestly and listen effectively.
3. Embrace differences, treat all with dignity and respect.
4. Each day leave it better than you found it.