Gladys and I are racing 10 kilometers in support of girls' education. Any money we raise goes directly to Daraja Academy in Kenya and Gladys's education. Thank you for your help! Or, as they say in Kenya, ASANTE SANA!
Gladys is a 15-year-old Meru girl from Nturukuma village in the eastern part of Laikipia and will graduate from Daraja with the Class of 2028. She lives in a three-room timber house with her single father. She has never met her mother and has no siblings. Her father, who did not complete primary school, works as a manual laborer but rarely finds stable employment. In December 2025, he was involved in a serious accident and suffered a severe head injury. The hospital bills were overwhelming, and with little support from relatives, the family has faced deep financial hardship. Their area is affected by drought and floods that sometimes enter their home.
Despite these challenges, Gladys has remained dedicated to her education. In primary school, she was an integrity prefect, showing strong leadership and responsibility. She loves listening to music, writing poems, and playing volleyball. Witnessing her father’s injury strengthened her dream of pursuing a career in medicine, and she wants to become a doctor.
For Gladys, Daraja is a place of joy, hope, and love.