St Jude’s Day was held at the school’s Moshono campus, where baskets of gifts were gathered to be distributed to community members in need.

“It is the day we all remember our patron St Jude by praying together, giving thanks to God, and taking gift and cash collections to support other people in need,” lower primary headmaster George Stephen said.

“All students of St Jude’s must acknowledge and give thanks by blessing others with gifts, to symbolize their gratitude to the sponsors, donors and all staff who make it possible for them to have the high-quality and free education they receive.”

The day began with a special morning mass and was followed by a fun-filled afternoon of entertainment, where teachers and students of every grade took to the stage to perform. A panel of judges decided on the best acts of the event.

Almost 2000 students from the Arusha region, between Standard 1 and Form 6, attend St Jude’s three charity-funded campuses.

St Jude, whom the day is named after, is the patron saint of desperate cases and lost causes. He was one of Jesus’ 12 apostles and became associated with desperate situations due to a letter he wrote to the Churches of the East, in which he says that the faithful must keep going even in harsh or difficult circumstances.