Woodside Priory Teacher Hits the Books in Africa
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September 24, 2008 ■ News of local people and events in the community. SECTION 2 A LSO INSIDE C ALENDAR 30 |R EAL ESTATE 33 |C LASSIFIEDS 40 Woodside Priory teacher hits the books in Africa Traveling to Kenya to start a girls’ school called a deeply motivating experience By Bob Bessin and of the family unit, is n my role as physics teacher at Woodside the greatest. Priory School, I have thought a lot about I am now part of a Iteaching a universe of children; not only group of teachers, started my students at the Priory. I and other teach- by Jason, from across the ers across the Bay Area are devoting ourselves Bay Area that organized to the aim of creating the first free girls’ sec- to create the Daraja Acad- ondary school in emy. We have already Kenya, the Daraja obtained an existing cam- About the author: Academy. pus in Kenya and are Bob Bessin of Los Altos has been teach- Through other working hard to begin ing physics for the last Priory teach- instruction in January. five years at Wood- ers, I met Jason Daraja means “bridge” side Priory School in Doherty, a teach- in Swahili and this school Portola Valley. Prior er in Vallejo and is about building bridg- to teaching, he was founder of the es. As one of the first an executive for high- Daraja Academy. free (including room and technology companies Jason was so pas- board) secondary schools Bob Bessin of the Woodside Priory greets primary school students at a school for squatters families in Kenya. for 20 years. sionate about giv- for girls and boys in East ing African kids Africa, the Daraja Academy’s goal is to not A school devoted to bringing these groups neighborhood, to the impact they can make the opportunity only educate Kenyans, but connect them with together, to help students find that they on the world. of a bright future that it was impossible other tribes in the country as well as with the have more similarities than differences, and My opportunity to experience the chal- not to get hooked on his cause. rest of the world. to appreciate their differences, is one small lenges of creating progress in Kenya first- Jason explained to me that less than 50 I spent the summer in Kenya with other way to help heal a continent. hand has motivated me to share this experi- percent of Kenyan girls go on to secondary U.S. teachers, working with charitable and To make this vision happen “Daraja ence with you. I hope as a result that more school after completion of primary school. governmental organizations, scoping the Clubs” have sprung up all over the Bay people will understand the impact we can It turns out that even one additional year needs of the school, as well as experiencing Area — and Woodside Priory started one have for improving our world. A of secondary school makes a huge differ- the issues in person. Viewing the slums out- of the first of these clubs. Students who par- ence in levels of poverty and future out- side of Nairobi, the capitol of Kenya, dense ticipate in the clubs will communicate via ■ INFORMATION comes for the majority of Kenyans. This with poverty-stricken families, cannot help the Internet with Daraja Academy students seemingly small difference has monu- but change your perspective. and host an exchange program during the The Daraja Academy has been funded by mental impact not only on the children, In addition to poverty, Africa is rife with summers, as well as help in fundraising and grass-roots efforts of the Daraja Clubs and but on what kind of country Kenya will individuals. For more information, go to www. conflict between cultures and tribes. I saw building awareness throughout the com- daraja-academy.org or call Jenni Doherty at be in the future. And the leverage for girls, the diversity of people in Kenya and how munity. There has been incredible support (415) 699-8335. being the bearers and keepers of children they often do not get to know each other. from students who see beyond their own Bringing the community together through the reading of a single book By Kate Daly attacks on their villages. ter, 600 N. Delaware St. in San tie into the book’s theme. Special to The Almanac In encouraging county Mateo. Ms. Holmer expects all Among some related local residents to read the same 1,500 seats to be filled, and sug- activities are: he name of the program, book, the hope is that peo- gests arriving early. ■ At the Portola Valley Library “One Book, One Com- ple will “meet in the line at Mr. Eggers will be conversing on Oct. 16 at 4 p.m., an “African Tmunity,” sums up the Draeger’s and maybe have with Michael Krasny, host of Village Celebration” will feature ongoing effort by local librar- a conversation, and have KQED radio’s “Forum” program. a drummer leading group dances ies to get San Mateo County something in common,” Both men will be selling their and songs. The same presentation residents not only to read, but to says Susan Holmer, direc- books. Mr. Krasny has written will be made at the Menlo Park read a specific book and come tor of the Menlo Park “Off Mike: A Memoir of Talk main library on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. together to talk about it. Public Library. Radio and the Literary Life.” ■ On Oct. 18 at noon, Insect For the third year in a row, the The idea for “One Book, Mr. Eggers is known for an earli- Discovery Lab will bring African staff of member libraries of the One Community” began er book, “A Heartbreaking Work of insects to Menlo Park’s main Peninsula Library System has in Seattle 10 years ago, and Staggering Genius,” and for found- library for a hands-on learning selected a book by a Bay Area has spread to libraries all ing McSweeney’s, a magazine and experience. author for patrons to read and over the world. book publishing company in San ■ On Oct. 20 at 4 p.m., the share. During the summer, hun- Francisco. He also started “826 Atherton Library will feature This year the book is “What Is dreds of copies of this year’s Valencia,” a reading and writing Sudanese mask-making for chil- the What,” by Dave Eggers of San Dave Eggers’ book, “What Is the What,” pick were put on shelves in center in San Francisco aimed at dren, ages 3 to 8. The Woodside Francisco. It’s a semi-fictional is a semi-fictional account of a young boy the local libraries. aimed at students ages 6 to 18. Library will offer a similar pro- account of what happens to a who is separated from his family during a The kickoff event for Ms. Holmer recommends the gram on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. young boy who is separated from raid on his village in southern Sudan. the month-long, county- book, “What Is the What,” to peo- For more information on Mr. his family during a raid on his wide program is a talk by ple of high-school age and older. Eggers, his book, or any of the village in southern Sudan. The Mr. Eggers at 7:30 p.m. For younger patrons, the member library activities planned in story follows him through refugee where he links up with other “lost Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the San libraries are offering programs October, go to www.one camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, boys” who have survived similar Mateo Performing Arts Cen- throughout October that loosely bookreads.org. A September 24, 2008 ■ The Almanac ■ 25 AASHINSHIN OOMPANYMPANY CMENLO PARK (650) 614-3500 PORTOLA VALLEY (650) 529-2900C WOODSIDE (650) 529-1000 LOS ALTOS (650) 948-8050 PALO ALTO (650) 853-7100 SAN CARLOS (650) 598-4900 SAN MATEO (650) 343-3700 BURLINGAME (650) 340-9688 ■ ATHERTON ■ ■ MOUNTAIN VIEW ■ Beautiful custom home nestled on gorgeous large Charming 3BR/2BA home blocks away from Castro lot in sought after W. Atherton. St! Located on a quiet street across from a park. 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