Karen and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Karen's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Karen is a 15-year-old Kikuyu girl from Kiambu County and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She lives with her mother, brother, and sister in Githurai, in a one-room iron-sheet house. Neither of her parents was able to complete high school. Her father passed away several years ago, leaving Karen with grief that she has carried ever since. As the firstborn, she has taken on many responsibilities, which has made it difficult to balance them with her studies.
Despite these challenges, Karen loves listening to music and dancing, as they help her find happiness even in difficult times. She also enjoys playing volleyball. Karen has two dreams. The first is to pursue medicine to help reduce mortality rates, and the second is to study botany so she can make her environment greener and help combat climate change.
Karen says that Daraja has become her home, where these dreams can be nurtured.