Daraja Academy Archives – Women's eNews

Kenyan Girl Rejected by Schools for Her Disability

By Miriam Wangui Wanjiku ● Teen Voices ● March 1, 2017

A young Kenyan thanks her schools for the medicine, confidence and education provided after local options rejected her because she has a disability.

Education Saves Teen From Early Marriage, Hardship

By Jackline Peche ● Culture ● October 28, 2016

With the help of her brother, Jackline escaped a forced marriage to a rescue center full of girls from similar situations. There, they formed a sisterhood and began their path to education.

Teen Shares the Beauty of Kenya for Girls, Visitors

By Mercy Wambui ● Teen Voices ● August 3, 2016

From communities who pitch in to send a girl to university to the graceful Grevy’s zebra, the writer shares her favorite things about living in Kenya.

Teen Questions Why Education Isn’t Enough for Kenyan Girls

By Mary Mukami ● Teen Voices ● June 8, 2016

Teen Mary Mukami knows that the key to success for women in her country is education. But what she doesn’t understand is girls’ own inability to keep their eye on the prize.

‘Add Something Little’ Taken Too Far for Kenyan Teen

By Faith Wanjihia ● Teen Voices ● April 27, 2016

In Kenya, “ongeza kitu kidogo” means “add something little.” But despite its often lighthearted connotation, an attempt to act on this phrase nearly costs Faith Wanjihia’s cousin his education.

Kenyan Girl Learns Harsh Life Lessons Early

By Mary Kanini & Por Alison Bowen ● Teen Voices ● March 2, 2016

The writer’s sister had a rough year when she was 14 but things are looking up for her now.

Kenyan Teen Copes through Desertion and Death

By Joyce Wanjiru & Por Alison Bowen ● Arts & Culture ● December 2, 2015

Despite her father’s abandonment, teen writer Joyce Wanjiru learned about strength and empowerment through the women who stepped up to give her a better life.

Cousin to Cousin: Leave Him and Go Back to School

By Elizabeth Kavuto & Por Alison Bowen ● Arts & Culture ● October 28, 2015

For Kenyan teen Elizabeth Kavuto’s cousin, a “poor quality of education” in her village was the least of her roadblocks in attaining academic success.

Girls Bolt to Safe House to Avoid FGM

By Barbra Emily & Mercy Wanja ● Health & Science ● October 7, 2015

For writer Barbra Emily, not seeing her family is a small price to pay for escaping female genital mutilation, a practice undergone by 27 percent of women in Kenya, the World Health Organization reports.

Girls in Kenya Destigmatize Periods for Peers

By Joyce Wanjiru ● Teen Voices ● September 2, 2015

Studies report that girls in Kenya miss 3.5 million learning days per month because of a lack of available menstruation products. Here, Daraja Academy student Joyce Wanjiru writes about a friend who inspired her to help all girls in Kenya, one sanitary towel at time.