Our students and school have been beamed onto screens across Australia. St Jude’s has featured on long-running Australian news television program, Behind the News.

Australia’s national broadcaster has been running the show since the 1960’s and the segments are a part of classroom lessons for the majority of upper primary and lower secondary students in Australia. The program is also an important and accessible resource for regional students because the content is streamed online. 

St Jude’s was approached to feature on the prestigious program by Producer, Emma Davis, who visited the school last year while touring Tanzania with her family. 

“After seeing this side of Tanzania and Arusha, I really wanted to share that experience with people and kids back home so they can try to understand what life is like for a family on the other side of the world. At BTN we value the voice of children and work hard to give them an opportunity to share their stories from their point of view." Emma explained.

Standard 6 students were invited to audition to represent the school as ‘Rookie Reporters’. The students’ pride in their education and their English skills shone through during the process. Our Marketing team then had the hard task of selecting the two students who would help St Jude’s come to life on Australian television screens.

Charismatic students Abdul and Salma explained the moment they found out they were chosen to present on behalf of St Jude’s 1,800 students.

“I couldn’t believe it; I started practicing straight away. The project has really helped me become more confident,” Abdul shared.

“I hope that Australians watching the story will see the benefits of helping other people less fortunate than themselves,” Salma added.

The duo quickly became naturals in front of the camera, mentored by an experienced cameraman and journalist who are part of St Jude’s staff on the ground in Tanzania. Salma and Abdul proudly take viewers on a tour of their classrooms, library, art room and boarding house.

A highlight for Salma was filming with Founder Gemma Sisia, who grew up watching Behind the News at primary school herself.“I felt honoured to introduce Mama Gemma and film with her. We owe her a lot,” Salma grinned.

During the news piece, audiences were also transported to Salma’s home in the semi-rural area of Usa River to meet her mum, Saumu.

“I liked taking the team to my house and getting to introduce my Mum to Australians. She was very proud that I was selected for this project and I hope people watching feel welcomed into my home,” Salma explained.

The budding reporters hope that by sharing their lives and challenges with TV viewers it will help spread the message of how St Jude’s is really making a difference, fighting poverty through education.

“I want people watching the segment to see that our school is leading the way in Tanzania and hopefully they will think about sponsoring one of my classmates or visiting the school,” Abdul said from the heart.

The episode is being aired on Tuesday 28th May at 10am on ABC3 you can catch up on the episode on BTN’s website.

See the difference St Jude’s is making to our talented ‘Rookie Reporters’, Salma & Abdul. You can make twice the impact by donating to our appeal now.

There was an unexpected friendship formed during graduation week between Toowoomba supporter Marilyn and two of our graduates. 

Marilyn and her husband, David, had been sponsoring the scholarship of talented musician, and stand-out student, Silvesta until he sadly passed away in the middle of his Form 6 year. 

Determined to help honour his legacy, and help his fellow graduates in any way she could, Marilyn still travelled to Arusha for the Form 6 graduation ceremony of Silvesta’s class.

As soon as she stepped onto the Smith Secondary Campus she was met by the warm smiling faces of Evance and Rahim who had been Silvesta’s best friends.

“It was a total surprise that these two bright young men looked after me. They gave me a tour around the campus. Because of our afternoon I learnt more about Silvesta and I was also able to do some career counseling with them,” Marilyn said.

With Rahim hoping to study Linguistics after his Community Service Year with the Beyond St Jude’s program, Marilyn was able to impart some wisdom, with her background also in Linguistics.

The camaraderie between the three, continued through to graduation day. Marilyn was able to spend a heartwarming afternoon with Rahim and Evances’ families and presented them with traditional Australian gifts.

For graduate Rahim, Marilyn’s presence added something special to his big day. “The best thing I’ve learnt from Marilyn is if something goes wrong you don’t stop doing it, you keep going. She said that even though Silvesta is gone she won’t stop helping St Jude’s,” Rahim recalled.

Since meeting Rahim, Marilyn has decided that she and her husband will sponsor Rahim’s scholarship for his Community Service Year and will continue to be teaching, boarding and transport supporters.

The legacy of Marilyn’s visit and Silvesta’s memory will remain in the hearts of everyone at St Jude’s.

“We were presented with some words from Marilyn and the document is now posted outside the library, so every student who comes and goes from the library can remember them both,” Rahim smiled.

A gesture that brought tears to Marilyn’s eyes.

“I am not just connected with one student, I now have three connections and I know they are going to make a difference to their country,” Marilyn shared.

Below is an excerpt from Marilyn’s words that every secondary student and visitor can read outside the Smith library.

“Over the years, we have supported the school and one of your students, Silvesta who sadly passed away in 2018. We observed through many letters we received from him, the change from a young boy to a young man with future aspirations who learnt through education, sport and music. We appreciate the opportunity given to us to support this wonderful young man and the school and importantly, its people- the teachers, the many support staff and the students. It has been a privilege that my husband and I have been involved with this school. We aim to continue to support the efforts of all those from the School of St Jude as they seek to assist all of their students to ‘become moral and intellectual leaders in the country.’ It is only through education that people can change the world. The students have the opportunity to become life-long learners from the skills they have acquired at St Jude’s. The School of St Jude continues to educate and prepare their students to be noble citizens for their country.”