Joy Blessing and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Joy Blessing's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Joy Blessing is a 16-year-old Kikuyu girl from Kirinyaga and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She comes from a small rural community called Miti-Ini village, where most families depend on small-scale farming to survive. Her home is a simple three-room timber house, and the village has limited access to clean water and no electricity. Joy Blessing lives with her single mother, sick grandparents, and older brother. Her mother is the sole provider for the family, and her income barely covers the family’s basic needs and the grandparents' medication.
Despite multiple hardships, Joy Blessing has remained committed to her education. In school, she served as a class prefect, demonstrating responsibility and leadership. She enjoys scouting, football, music, and solving puzzles. Joy Blessing dreams of becoming a teacher so she can guide and inspire others in her community.
For her, Daraja is a place where girls can grow and discover their potential. She believes there is no limit to how far a girl can go when she is given a chance.