Winfred and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Winfred's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Winfred is a 15-year-old Samburu girl from Rumuruti, Laikipia, and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. In her family, there are seven children, her mother, and her father, who is polyamorous and has another three children with a different wife. Together, they live in a house made out of mud with paper used as a roof. Neither of her parents went to school. Winfred describes her greatest challenge in life has been growing up in a community where FGM (female genital mutilation) and early marriages are normalised. These traditions created difficult times throughout her childhood.
Because of this, she aspires to become a Directorate of Criminal Investigations Officer in her community as a way to stop FGM and advocate for girls’ right to education. Winfred loves playing netball because it builds her self-confidence and she enjoys the teamwork. She explains that to her, Daraja is not only a school but a place that helps her cope with life challenges.