About Us
Daraja Academy is a boarding high school located in Naibor, 25 km from Nanyuki, Kenya. It is a beacon of hope, safety, and future promise for marginalized girls to grow their innate leadership skills. We provide comprehensive scholarships to exceptional Kenyan girls born into extreme poverty from diverse religions and tribal backgrounds. 
These are girls who might otherwise be exposed to early marriages, FGM, working at an early age to help provide for their families, and early pregnancies, among many other challenges. Daraja Academy offers a platform where these girls can transform and change their narratives from poverty to independence. Providing education is a vital means to accomplish this transformation.
Students are selected based on need, academic scores, and leadership potential. With a diverse student population from 47 counties, students embody the phrase “We are one Kenya”.
Our Vision.
We believe every girl deserves the education she needs to change herself, her community and the world.
Our Mission.
To provide exceptional secondary education for Kenyan girls from homes of need to become community leaders.
Our Unique Design
Community Service
The Academy requires each student to commit to 10 hours of community service during each of the three-term breaks. This teaches the girls that their education should be shared and nurtures their leadership abilities. Daraja girls volunteer about 12,000 hours annually in their local communities.
A sports-model school
We prepare our students for colleges and universities by integrating sports excellence with academic rigor. Through robust sports programs, our students develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills. This holistic approach enhances college applications, showcasing well-rounded individuals. Daraja’s emphasis on sports also opens scholarship opportunities, making higher education more accessible. By fostering both academic and sports achievements, Daraja equips students with the competencies and confidence needed for successful transitions to colleges and universities.
A 5-Month Transition Program
The Transition Program aims to keep our female students engaged during the period between completing high school and starting college. We achieve this by providing them with practical knowledge, skills, and resources that are not typically covered in a traditional high school curriculum. Our goal is to improve their chances of leading independent and sustainable lives. The program components include home economics, personal finance, entrepreneurial skills, and career exploration.
Exemplified Leadership
Our graduates are community change-makers in gender equality, poverty, & conflict. They are deeply committed to creating positive change, reflecting the school’s mission to foster future leaders who can drive societal transformation and create a peaceful world. We offer a rigorous academic curriculum complemented by comprehensive leadership training, equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. Through mentorship programs, and community service projects, we empower our students to address social issues and promote harmony in their communities.
Does Daraja Work?
Mesret, Class of 2014
“My journey exemplifies the power of education and the impact of Daraja. Growing up in a marginalized community in Northern Kenya, my dream of receiving an education seemed out of reach, FGM, threats of an early marriage among others! With the help of Daraja, I finished KCSE with a B+. I am a Bachelor holder in Water and Environmental Engineering. A project manager at Well Aware World, working to provide clean water to communities. I am proud to have scaled this much in my career in my little village at the heart of Marsabit.”
Brenda, Class of 2019
“As a girl from a humble background, access to education was a constant struggle, but Daraja changed my story. The scholarship covered my tuition as well provided me with a safe and supportive environment and access to quality education. Beyond academics, Daraja instilled in me a strong sense of social responsibility through community service, which ignited my passion for social activism. During the summer holidays, I participate in various projects like Baraka Chalice Child Center, where I volunteer in arranging programs to empower girls and promote gender equality. I am currently a 4th year student pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Power Systems at the African Leadership College, Mauritius campus accredited by Glasgow Caledonian University.”
Mary, Class of 2016
“Daraja came through for me, revived my hopes by giving me a second chance to right my mistakes. With a four year scholarship, I saw light through the dark tunnel in my life. Becoming a mother at 14 yrs was the least of my expectations in life. I had lost hope for a better future, my dreams were shattered. I received several marriage proposals from those who believed I had lost my value. Today the narrative has changed, my story is a motivation to many, securing employment at Sabis International School. I am now able to see my daughter through school, sustain myself and advance in my studies.”