Quote: "Our country will grow its income base when more women are educated and employed." -Dorine

Dorine is a 16-year-old girl from Siaya County, near Lake Victoria, and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2026. She is a quiet but ever-smiling girl. In her village, many people are fishermen, while others practice crop farming. In her community, many youths earn income as motorbike riders.

Dorine walked approximately two kilometers to school each day. She also fetched water from a river three kilometers away, carrying 20 liters on her head or using donkeys. She was often limited to just one meal a day, usually porridge.

Despite lacking textbooks in school and her struggles at home, Dorine remained a hardworking and persistent student, a quality she continues to demonstrate at Daraja. Her favorite sport is netball, and she enjoys reading novels in her free time. She hopes to pursue accounting and give back to those in need within her community.