Only at Daraja would girls be so at ease 24 hours before Kenya's 12th grade national examinations. Listen as 12th graders Sharon and Farhia discuss growing up in the Kenyan school system and the KCSE, a three week examination that determines whether they can go to university, what they can study once they are there and why they feel so at ease the day before it all starts. Special Thanks to Salvador Santana for the use of his song, “Rise Up,” in our podcast! About Daraja Academy and the Podcast:   Jason and Jenni Doherty are the founders of Daraja Academy and parents to 115 current students and many alumni. Jenni comes from a family of eight children and is the first woman in her family to go to university. Jason comes from a family of five, and his passion is education.   When Jason and Jenni Doherty – educators from the Bay Area – visited Kenya in 2006, they were struck by the degree that gender determined opportunity. For families living in deep poverty, access to education was already limited, but sons were still far more likely to attend secondary school than daughters. Girls were being left behind. Thus, they started Daraja Academy.   Daraja Academy is a boarding secondary school for Kenyan girls with top academic scores and exceptional leadership skills but without the means to continue their education. The academy provides shelter, food, healthcare, and counseling services so students may focus on their academic and personal potential without the everyday barriers they would otherwise face.    Their groundbreaking educational model has generated a community of students filled with intellectual curiosity and a hunger to learn. Through this podcast, we get to know the stories of the girls of Daraja, Daraja Academy, and all the incredible people that support and strengthen Daraja.   Connect with Daraja Means Bridge:   Website:https://www.daraja-academy.org/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/daraja-academy/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-doherty-baa9735a/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/DarajaAcademy Twitter:https://twitter.com/darajaacademy Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/darajaacademy/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQiWAdnakahyCnRlvWzoSA Email:[email protected]   Be her bridge! Donate to girls' education in Kenya: https://www.daraja-academy.org/donate/