Quote: “Education is power: it gives you a voice.” -Hellen

Hellen is a 16-year-old Maasai girl from Kajiado and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She has grown up in a village in Loitoktok, where droughts and famine have become ever so prevalent. Hellen’s three elder sisters have moved out due to marriage, so she now lives with her parents and younger siblings. Her father’s alcoholism, combined with her parents’ struggle to find stable work, made hunger a frequent reality.

Hellen struggled with the lack of feeling seen and supported, making her life dreams feel increasingly distant. Despite these challenges, she remained determined and served as a prefect for three years in her previous school, prioritizing fairness and respect for everyone. To Hellen, Daraja means that her dreams are once again within reach. 

Her aspiration to become a lawyer, to understand conflicts and help provide solutions, has been reignited through this opportunity. She shares that Daraja has made her feel brave and valued. In her free time, Hellen loves reading storybooks and listening to music.