"All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why." ~James Thurber
My Uncle Jack likes to say his life is split into "volume one" and "volume two", and I'm in the same boat. Those closest to me know that the first 16 years of my life were full of physically, emotionally, and spiritually difficult. I was selfish and self centered to the extreme. The last ten years have been miracle upon miracle, and a large part of that is Daraja Academy. When I say these girls give me hope, they know that I mean it.
I remember arriving at Daraja to 26 bright smiles. I didn't even know their names but they hugged me and welcomed me to Daraja Academy, the first free secondary school for Kenyan girls. In a few short hours those girls will wake up and prepare for graduation day. On my first trip these girls were just discovering that they were stronger than their circumstances. They now know for sure what it means to be a "woman of integrity, strength, and hope".
To the outsider it might seem that we have nothing in common. We look different and come from vastly different backgrounds, but we know the truth. These girls are my spiritual counterparts- they are my heart. So if you girls are reading this (now that there is internet at Daraja!), I hope you know that you have changed every fiber of my being. You make me whole. I know that even if our paths diverge at this point, we will walk along knowing each night that we have the same stars above us and the same spark inside of us. I love you to the moon and back (and forth and back and forth...) I'm living my dreams because you showed me it was possible - now get out there and change the world!
Daraja is a force. These girls are not only the future of Kenya, but a shining example of how hard work and faith in your abilities can move mountains - or in our case, build bridges.
Daraja means bridge, and WE ARE DARAJA!
