Some quotes translated from Kiswahili 

Janelle, Clorinda, Timuana and Octavia are uniquely bonded by their shared devotion to one of our 2018 graduates, Denis.

Janelle has sponsored Denis since his first day at St Jude’s in Standard 1. She, along with her two daughters, Timuana and Clorinda, travelled from Queensland, Australia, to be by his side as he finished secondary school. 

Janelle and her husband, Peter, who passed away in 2016, were inspired to help fight poverty through education when they heard about St Jude’s through Rotary.    

Leaving a legacy: Janelle and Peter first met Denis during their 2005 visit to St Jude's.
Leaving a legacy: Janelle and Peter first met Denis during their 2005 visit to St Jude's.

Janelle decided to pay tribute to her husband by attending Denis’ graduation and bringing her two daughters with her, so they could understand their parents’ passion for our cause. 

Janelle and Denis shared an emotional reunion at Sisia Primary Campus on Monday May 21, having last seen each other in 2005, and later that day, he took them to visit his home and meet his guardian, Octavia. 

At Form 6 Graduation on May 26, Octavia joined hands with Janelle, Clorinda and Timuana, in celebration of Denis’ achievements.  

Several years ago, due to difficult circumstances in Denis’ home life, Octavia agreed to open her home to him, whilst he completed his education at St Jude’s.

“When I took in another son, I wanted him to feel secure and not lonely. Now, Denis has a family and I want him to succeed in his life. Denis has brought joy to us. He helps Alexander with his chores and I am so proud to see him graduate,” Octavia shared.     

Long-awaited reunion: Janelle visited Octavia and Denis in their home, two days before Form 6 Graduation.
Long-awaited reunion: Janelle visited Octavia and Denis in their home, two days before Form 6 Graduation.

Octavia is a dedicated member of St Jude’s Parent Committee and has been a passionate advocate for St Jude’s in the local community since her son, Alexander, earned his academic scholarship in Standard 1, nearly 16 years ago. 

Alexander graduated from Form 6 at St Jude’s in 2016. He completed his Beyond St Jude’s Community Service Year in 2017 as an intern in our Visitor team and is now studying his Bachelor in Economic Science and Communications, through Beyond St Jude’s Tertiary program, at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s top university. 

“Without help from St Jude’s, I could not have afforded to give my son the same privilege he has now. I have other children to support and I would not have been able to afford to send Alexander to university,” Octavia said. 

Janelle and her daughters were profoundly moved by Octavia’s generosity and passion for the School. 

“Octavia is a beautiful person. This lady has given Denis the gift of a family home. Denis is a special young man — a young leader — and he is so grateful for the gift of an education. My husband Peter would have been proud to meet him as the wonderful young man he has become,” Janelle revealed.   

Ripple effect: Timuana and Clorinda's lives have been changed by their visit to Tanzania.
Ripple effect: Timuana and Clorinda's lives have been changed by their visit to Tanzania.

After 13 years of sponsorship, she is passing the beacon of hope to Timuana, who has agreed to financially support Denis through his Beyond St Jude’s Community Service Year. 

“I always knew this was a special cause, but being at St Jude’s and seeing the community impact first-hand has changed mine and Clorinda’s lives. There was no way I could walk away from this without giving something back, and Denis will always mean so much to our family.”

“Meeting his guardian, Octavia, was an amazing experience. This mother is so kind and genuine. She has taken in this young man and raised him as her own. She deserves to receive so much gratitude in her own right,” Timuana said. 

Octavia, Janelle, Timuana and Clorinda may be separated by oceans, but they have joined hands to give an opportunity to one of Tanzania’s future moral and intellectual leaders. 

Will you take someone’s hand too? Share their story and sponsor a student or make a donation during our 2018 Annual Appeal.

Photo supplied by Walford Anglican School for Girls

Sasha is a student of Walford Anglican School for Girls in Adelaide, South Australia. She was recently nominated in the prestigious Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards, for her dedication to fundraising for the sponsorship of Alice, also aged 10, in Standard 3 at The School of St Jude. 

On Friday May 11, the inspiring young leader was presented with her nominee award by the Honourable Rachel Sanderson, Member of Parliament for Adelaide. 

The Channel 9 Young Achiever Awards were established to recognise, encourage and reward the positive achievements of young South Australians, up to and including 29 years of age.

“I felt so proud and happy to help Alice,” said an overjoyed Sasha. 

Sasha heard about The School of St Jude from her mother, Tamara, who had seen a segment featuring St Jude’s, on 60 Minutes Australia in 2016. 

Keen to make a difference, and wanting to know that her donated funds would directly improve someone’s life, Sasha chose to fundraise for our school by sewing headbands and selling them, under the banner of ‘Headbands for Girls’ Education’. The Walford community has supported Sasha by helping her sell the headbands in the school.

Headbands for education: Sasha's headbands have helped her raise more than $800 for St Jude's!
Headbands for education: Sasha's headbands have helped her raise more than $800 for St Jude's!

“I am lucky to go to a good school. It is not fair that just because you are a girl, in some countries, you don’t get an education. I wanted to help a girl my own age and show them that we like the same things, even though we are around the other side of the world,” Sasha said. 

Insightful and articulate, Sasha reflected upon words of wisdom from her grandmother, which helped inspire her to fight poverty through education. 

“My grandmother always says knowledge is power and work makes life sweet. The more we learn, the more we understand each other.” Sasha’s grandmother has always told Sasha to be grateful for the education she is getting and how special it is to help change one girls life.

When Sasha signed up for sponsorship of Alice’s scholarship, she was pleased to learn that their shared favourite animal is a dog, and that Alice aspires to grow up and be a business leader. 

Sasha’s mother and grandmother, couldn’t be more proud of Sasha’s efforts in helping provide opportunities for someone else’s daughter, on the other side of the world. It shows the power of kindness.

“I would like this to change one girl’s life and make a difference — everyone can make a difference if you just help a little. Education is the key to making change,” Tamara and her mother believe.  

All for Alice: Standard 3 student, Alice, is receiving a free, quality education thanks to supporters like Sasha.
All for Alice: Standard 3 student, Alice, is receiving a free, quality education thanks to supporters like Sasha.

One day, Sasha says she dreams of meeting Alice in person.

“If I got to meet Alice, I would tell her that, ‘I’m so excited that I am helping to give you an education and I hope it helps you.’ I would really like to give her a hug.”

Sasha is a moral and intellectual leader of tomorrow, who is making a difference today. Like her, you can give a helping hand to one of Tanzania’s future leaders. Sponsor or donate during our 2018 Annual Appeal.