Janet and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Janet's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Janet is a 16-year-old Giriama girl from Kiembeni-Bamburi in Mombasa County and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in a rented double-room mud house. They fetch water from a borehole near their home and buy drinking water in jerry cans. Neither of her parents completed secondary school. Her father reached grade six, and her mother reached grade three. Janet often had to complete household chores early in the morning before leaving for school, especially when her mother was unwell.
Despite these challenges, Janet held a leadership position at school as a governor. In this role, she assessed prefects and helped ensure that students remained disciplined and responsible. She loves playing volleyball and reading, as it helps improve her grammar, and she enjoys participating in debates because they build her confidence.
Janet dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon and opening a hospital to help people with brain-related conditions who cannot afford treatment. She describes Daraja as a place where minds are built and positive attitudes are developed, a bridge that helps girls move from one side of opportunity to the other. She recalls feeling an overwhelming sense of happiness when she arrived at Daraja and values the inclusive environment where there is no discrimination.