Mary and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Mary's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Quote: “Education gives women a chance to become what they aspire to be.” -Mary
Mary is a 14-year-old Kamba girl from Yatta, Machakos, and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She has grown up in a village without seasonal rivers, making water collection far and time-consuming. Here, she has grown up with her mother and four siblings. Her father left the family due to alcohol abuse, placing increased financial pressure on the household and making food and clothing scarce. As a result, being sent home from school due to unpaid fees was common.
Despite these hardships, Mary served as the handball captain for her school team, a role she enjoyed as it kept her feeling physically and mentally strong. She also enjoys reading. Mary aspires to become a doctor and build a hospital in her village. She describes Daraja as more than a school; it is a home where future leaders are nurtured.