Daraja Academy is a boarding secondary school for Kenyan girls with top academic scores and exceptional leadership skills but no means to continue their education. The academy provides shelter, food, healthcare and counseling services which allows students to focus on their academic and personal potential, without being hindered by the everyday barriers of poverty.

For the last 4 years, I've been a part of this amazing project under the Carr Educational Foundation and visited the campus last summer. This spring, we are participating in a unique fundraiser. While I cheer on the amazing runners and walkers supporting Daraja at the 100th annual Bay-To-Breakers here in San Francisco, GITWA MUKAMI, along with 76 of her fellow students will be running 28 laps on the Daraja campus in Kenya. I had the opportunity to spend time with Gitwa last summer and want to tell her story.

Meet GITWA MUKAMI: When Gitwa’s father died, his family kicked out Gitwa’s mother. Her mother then married a different man and that man wanted nothing todo with Gitwa and her siblings. From then on,Gitwa has lived with her grandmother who is illiterate and barely able to make any type of living. A staff member brought Gitwa’s case to the administrators. During her admissions interview, Gitwa oozed confidence and comfort. She kept the administrators laughing the entire interview. Her vibrant personality coupled with her high scores helped Gitwa ease her way into admittance. It is not hard to feel Gitwa’s presence on campus. She is constantly in a jovial mood, laughing and talking. She is a girl who loves the spotlight. Gitwa aspires to be an engineer so that she can build proper buildings that do not collapse. She also plans to build a house for her grandparents. Gitwa’s winning combination of great personality and intellect definitely gives her the tools to be a force for change.

How You Can Help

I am asking my friends and family to be a part of this historic occasion by becoming a sponsor for Gitwa as she runs her laps. You decide how much you want to give, $1 per lap, $5 per lap, $1 for each girl that runs (77 total), $1 per lap per each girl that runs (28 x 77). It is up to you. I'm looking for at least 10 sponors for Gitwa. And I will keep you updated on how much we have raised. Each girl on campus has a sponsor raising money either as a racer or as a cheerleader.

Check out our website- www.daraja-academy.org