May 12, 2016

Big dreams, bright mind and a bed to call her own

How boarding at St Jude’s helps Noreen to shine!

Glory heard it on the radio, the opportunity that would help her family escape poverty forever.

Despite battling recurrent bouts of malaria and tuberculosis, the unemployed single mother did everything she could to get her daughter Noreen to The School of St Jude, which was offering free scholarships for a high-quality education.

Strong role model: Glory at home with her daughters, Noreen and Deborah.
Strong role model: Glory at home with her daughters, Noreen and Deborah.

“I was very sick, but it was testing day, so I got up before the sun, dressed Noreen and started asking everyone, where is St Jude, because I didn’t know,” Glory said.

“We walked all day and when we got there Noreen went in the line and I just fell down on the grass and slept all morning and afternoon.”  

Noreen had been top of her class in her government school and passed the academic testing with flying colours. 

Star pupil: Noreen's enthusiasm for English was palpable from Grade 1.
Star pupil: Noreen's enthusiasm for English was palpable from Grade 1.

As the family had no reliable income, were living in one room and sleeping four to a bed; they qualified under the school’s stringent poverty requirements.

“I was so happy when she got in, I was crying and laughing and I really say that my health was better after I got that news,” Glory said. 

Happy day: Glory and Noreen on Uniform Day, 2011, the first time Noreen wore a St Jude's uniform.
Happy day: Glory and Noreen on Uniform Day, 2011, the first time Noreen wore a St Jude's uniform.

Noreen is now in Grade 6 and excelling. She is the self-proclaimed best singer in upper primary as well as an enthusiastic participant in the traditional dance club and debating. 

Last year, Noreen brought home two big prizes; one for being a stand out performer in the debating competition and the other for always singing the national anthem with gusto. 

Triple threat: Singer, dancer and debater, Noreen, during traditional dance rehearsal, earlier this year.
Triple threat: Singer, dancer and debater, Noreen, during traditional dance rehearsal, earlier this year.

Now that Noreen is in upper primary she boards during the week at our Moivaro campus.

Boarding at St Jude’s provides Noreen with a range of educational, nutritional and welfare benefits including her own bed, breakfast and dinner, electricity and running water and homework support from boarding parents. 

Boarding buddies: Noreen and her best friends in boarding.
Boarding buddies: Noreen and her best friends in boarding.

Every Friday afternoon, she takes one of our big yellow buses home to Sakina where Glory is waiting, eager to hear about what she has learned that week.

Glory says that she is happy when Noreen is home and is so proud that her young daughter is able to tutor the other, older children in the neighbourhood. She can’t wait to see her graduate.

Home for the weekend: Noreen is happy being home in Sakina.
Home for the weekend: Noreen is happy being home in Sakina.

Noreen is not sure what she will do after school - with her brilliant mind, loving mum and some help from St Jude’s, not even the sky is the limit.

“Probably, I will be a doctor and a businesswoman, I want to be a politician and astronaut but I know it is hard and also a photographer, just for some of the time,” she said.

Like mother like daughter: Noreen and Glory are determined to create a brighter future through education.
Like mother like daughter: Noreen and Glory are determined to create a brighter future through education.

Replies

Related Stories