Daraja Academy

“I want to be an independent lady” ----That one sentence means a lot if one pauses and reflects on who says it.

I happened to watch a short movie of 14 minutes and to tell you frankly I was smiling throughout the movie.

It was about Daraja Academy, a revolutionary idea - a secondary school where remarkable Kenyan girls, otherwise forgotten due to the lack of school fees, are given the one thing they desire most... a chance to succeed, because Daraja and its supporters believe educated girls can transcend poverty and change the world.

Girls from 18 of Kenya’s 42 tribes live and learn together in peace at Daraja.

The principal says, “The World, the west, the north, whatever you want to call it, will learn much much more from these girls than what this school can teach these girls”

It is not only academic education, but sustainable environmental practices are also a priority.

Daraja means “Bridge” and there are four pillars that the Daraja school works on and live by. They are:

Pillar #1

Be accountable for the role that you play at Daraja, neither neglecting nor abusing it.

Pillar # 2

Maintain open communication. Speak honestly and listen respectfully.

Pillar # 3

Embrace differences. Treat all with dignity and respect.

Pillar # 4

Each day, leave it better than you found it…

(that is Gideon, Winnie, Pamela and Joy in the art class)

The girls say ASANTE SANA. .  . . . . . .”Thank you very much”.

I thank Barbara Rick who has produced and directed this movie. It is simply marvellous and rich both in the content and the quality of the movie.

For those who want to see the movie, click here.