September 5, 2017

Gift That Keeps Giving

The 'Gift' of an education is a great one — just ask him!

Gift is one of Beyond St Jude’s newest Community Service Year interns, serving his community as an assistant physics teacher at a local government school. 

The Beyond St Jude’s program is an optional stepping stone for St Jude’s graduates. Those who choose to participate demonstrate leadership and generosity as interns in our school’s business office, library, boarding houses, Visitor team, entrepreneurial program, or by teaching in under-resourced government schools. 

St Jude’s students don’t take their gift of a free, quality education for granted. Gift is one such graduate, whose sense of service is innate. 

 “I studied at this government school previously, that’s why I enjoy giving back!” the aspiring electrical engineer said. 

Stepping back, a step forward: Returning as a teacher to his former school was Gift's goal.
Stepping back, a step forward: Returning as a teacher to his former school was Gift's goal.

“I joined St Jude’s when I was in Form 5. When I was a student at this government school, I taught Form 4s mathematics in my spare time,” he explained. 

“Volunteering at my old school was what I wanted from the beginning. I decided to use this one year before university.”

It takes Gift 45 minutes to walk from his home to work. In total, he's responsible for 182 students; Gift’s largest class has 68 pupils in it. 

“There are big differences between this school and St Jude’s,” Gift remarked. 

“We only have 43 teachers here, but at St Jude’s, we have many more, and more resources as well. I loved the learning materials. St Jude’s really expanded my knowledge.”

Beyond expectations: Gift credits his success and desire to help others to his education at The School of St Jude.
Beyond expectations: Gift credits his success and desire to help others to his education at The School of St Jude.

Gift hopes to nurture as many young scientists as possible during his Community Service Year.

“Sciences are key subjects because, in our country, these are important skills for employment.” 

“In government schools, we have a lack of science teachers. So, I will use this year to help the students achieve their goals. I know I can’t do it 100%, but I know they'll appreciate my efforts,” Gift said.  

Being a teacher himself has also increased Gift’s appreciation for St Jude’s staff. 

“When I came from a government school to St Jude’s, I didn’t know much English, which was a problem. During the activities at St Jude’s, we learnt how to speak; we had to persevere. We learnt by speaking to our friends and teachers.”

“Mr Meshack, a physics, ICT and mathematics teacher, was my favourite. I try to be like him. He encouraged me to face and solve any problem with maths. Because he did well in Form 6, he was counselling us to study. He was trying to help us learn to find resources in books, and how to work hard,” Gift gleamed. 

Brave brothers: Ioishock loves having his brother as a teacher so much, that he hopes to be one in the future as well.
Brave brothers: Ioishock loves having his brother as a teacher so much, that he hopes to be one in the future as well.

Through his giving, Gift’s family has received abundantly. In fact, one of Gift’s current students is his own brother, Ioishock! 

“It is very nice having my brother as my teacher. I dream of becoming a teacher one day,” Ioishock said. 

Gift is proud to guide his brother through his schooling. 

“In the future, I expect I will help my family to achieve a lot!” He insisted. 

The ‘Gift’ of an education is one which keeps giving. If you’d like to sponsor a Beyond St Jude's participant, please email sponsorbeyond@schoolofstjude.co.tz

Gift to the family: Gift is determined to use his education to help his loved ones.
Gift to the family: Gift is determined to use his education to help his loved ones.

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