There is an age-old African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and at St Jude’s we not only have over 290 committed staff, we also have a group of dedicated parent representatives, who on behalf of almost 2,000 students’ families, work to better the school.

The Parent Committee started as a ‘working bee’ with parents planting the grass that students walk on and harvesting the maize and beans staff ate when the school began. As the school has grown, so too has the parents’ involvement. Forty-nine parents represent the different areas in which students live across Arusha and surrounding regions, to investigate any issues at home and keep parents informed when students stay in boarding. 

Elizabeth, the Committee’s Chairperson, is giving back because she is grateful that a stranger from a foreign land, and the St Jude’s community, believe in her daughter’s potential.

“We follow up any issues by visiting homes, we look after the little primary students at the bus stops and we also arrange for parents to come in to school to help in the kitchens and maintain the gardens.” Elizabeth explained.

The father of Form 1 student, Irene, couldn’t be prouder to be on the Committee and loves sharing the St Jude’s story in the community.

“We have Committee members who update parents and talk to those in the community interested in St Jude’s. We also meet every month and all parents can attend. It’s very important in Tanzania to be culturally sensitive and we help with relationships between the school and parents. The Parent Committee has helped the school make lots of follow-ups. We are very involved.”

“We are proud to be part of the St Jude’s community; it surprises many people how this school helps bring hope to poor families. It is a very unique thing,” Charles said.

Assisting with welfare matters is also a key part of the role; representatives might visit a students’ home if a teacher identifies an issue with a student in the classroom to see if there are any underlying reasons for this in their home life. Parent reps are also involved in the student selection process, helping to identify and reach students in remote areas and in the greatest need of education.

School Founder, Gemma Sisia, meets with the representatives regularly and values their involvement. She explains the essential role they play in ensuring the welfare of students and in continuing the ethical and transparent legacy of the school.

“I believe they are the eyes and ears of what’s happening. Statistics have shown me that 99% of the problems they have reported are accurate. Their feedback has created change around the school, manuals have been updated and contracts have been changed. They are very honest with what they tell us and I think that’s precious,” Gemma reflected.

So just like the African proverb describes, an entire community is boosting and caring for each St Jude’s student, helping them to become the future leaders of their chosen industries and of Tanzania.

“The parents’ involvement and information comes from the heart as, in the end, they just want their kids to have the best education. They truly love our school,” Gemma concluded.

When you donate to St Jude’s you help ensure that the unseen but invaluable parts of the school, like the work of our Parent Committee, can continue. Donate today and help create change for a whole community.

Just a short 10-minute drive from our Smith Secondary Campus in Usa River is a local orphanage, a stark reminder of the realities of living in a country where up to 10% of the child population are orphaned. 

St Jude’s secondary students participate in monthly volunteering, giving back to the community on their weekends, as a way to spread the generosity they have received even further.

30 St Jude’s students spent their Saturday morning washing clothes, cooking and putting smiles on the faces of those at the small orphanage. Around 150 St Jude’s students have lost one or both of their parents and know the challenges these children face.

Form 5 student Zuhura looks forward to the visits because she knows she’s been given a quality education and wants to drive change.

“We are going back into the community to assist other people because we have been given the chance at The School of St Jude that only a few get. Outside the school gates can feel a world away sometimes. I know I am only in the position I am in because my sponsor is giving back too,” Zuhura said.

Zuhura was a natural with the younger orphans, initiating games to brighten their morning. The 19-year-old says that’s because she knows what it’s like to have very little.

“I certainly lived under hard conditions at home, sometimes me and my siblings missed meals, sometimes we went to school with no uniforms or books. It can hurt when you see other children getting opportunities, so now as one of the lucky ones, I can spend a bit of time to make others smile,” she reflected.

Zuhura also shared some wise words with the young, bright minds at the orphanage, encouraging them to study hard at school and use education as their foundation.

The volunteer program has helped shape Zuhura’s ideas for her future. She is determined to be part of the 4% of Tanzanians enrolled in higher education and focus her studies where she can continue to have an impact on those less fortunate.

“I love the community and I have not forgotten where I have come from. I want to study social work or child psychology at university,” Zuhura beamed.

The visits are all part of St Jude’s, ’School Service and Self Reliance Program’, instilling in each student the knowledge and belief that they too can help break the cycle of poverty.

“The school can only operate thanks to the generosity of people giving, so we want our students to do the same. This is all leading to their Community Service Year as part of the Beyond St Jude’s program, but we start enriching our students with the concept of giving early on. We appreciate what is being given by sponsors and donors and that’s what we want our students to develop, not just that giving is a good thing but that you are capable of giving in so many ways,” Head of Service at Smith Secondary Campus, Mr Ernest outlined.

For Form 4 student Deogratius the visits are about giving hope to those who have the odds stacked against them, a position he admits he was once in.

“Before studying at St Jude’s I had to walk long distances to school like these kids have to. My favourite part of our visits is seeing the kids smile. You can feel the whole vibe of the orphanage change when we start getting to work here and when we have time with the kids after. Thanks to these visits I even want to start my own orphanage after I finish school and am set up professionally because I see a lot of social-economic problems developing in Tanzania,” Deogratius shared while soaking washing for the orphanage.

St Jude’s students know their education is a valuable gift and that their good fortune can be shared with others, much like the thousands of people worldwide who keep St Jude’s running each day. 

Be a part of our students’ inspirational journeys and help them give back to their community. Become a sponsor today.