Twice each year, the Beyond St Jude’s (BSJ) team travels across Tanzania to visit tertiary scholars as part of the mentorship and support provided through the scholarship program. This April, four BSJ teams visited universities and colleges across the country, meeting scholars and alumni at different stages of their academic and professional journeys. Through mentorship sessions, group discussions and one-on-one conversations, the visits provided encouragement, guidance and a reminder that support from St Jude’s continues well beyond secondary school.
For the team covering Arusha, Iringa and Mbeya, the journey was filled with meaningful conversations and inspiring observations. Mr Bernard, Ms Catherine and Mr Rajabu met graduates navigating life after university and scholars still pursuing their studies.
For many scholars, the visits served as a reminder that they remain valued members of the St Jude’s community. “We feel very proud when the BSJ team comes to visit us in university and talks to us about opportunities and how we can secure them. It makes us feel that St Jude’s still values us even after graduating from high school,” said Saimon, a Form 4 graduate from the Class of 2022.
The impact of the visits was also evident in how alumni are adapting to life beyond school. After meeting scholars in Mbeya, Mr Bernard reflected on how many students are already preparing for the future beyond their studies.
“Our scholars in Mbeya are living in comfortable accommodations and many of them are trying different part-time jobs after classes. This shows that most of these youth are preparing themselves early and won’t easily go through unemployment,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Ms Viv, Mr Denis and Ms Beatrice covered the longest route, visiting nearly 200 alumni across Kilimanjaro, Morogoro, Dodoma, Tabora and Mwanza. Despite the distance travelled, the team described the experience as both rewarding and inspiring.
One highlight of the visits was the connection between younger scholars and senior alumni. These mentorship sessions quickly became some of the most engaging moments, with students eager to learn from those who had once been in their position.
“Seeing these alumni ready to learn from senior alumni during the get-together sessions makes me feel impressed both as a St Jude’s staff member and as a senior alum,” said Mr Denis, Class of 2017.
Ms Viv shared her excitement after meeting university students running small businesses alongside their studies, including some packaging products for delivery across campus.
“I feel so happy when I see scholars doing something extra to earn income while preparing themselves to tackle unemployment after university,” she explained.
In Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, another team led by Mr Musa, Mr Robinson, Mr Francis and Ms Lulu connected with one of the largest groups of St Jude’s alumni due to the high concentration of universities in the region. More than 200 alumni attended the gatherings, making them some of the largest engagements of the visit.
The sessions also included recognition of outstanding performers, with top-achieving alumni receiving awards for their academic and personal accomplishments. A special highlight in Dar es Salaam was the participation of six senior alumni, who shared insights from careers in health, entrepreneurship and other professional fields, offering scholars a glimpse into life beyond university.
“After the session with the senior alumni, the scholars didn’t want to leave. They kept asking questions and wanting to learn more,” Mr Francis recalled.
While each region brought different stories and experiences, one thing remained constant: the strong sense of community among St Jude’s alumni. Whether through mentorship, career advice, business ideas or simple conversations over a shared meal, the visits reminded scholars that they are not navigating their journeys alone
Although the teams have now returned to Arusha, the conversations continue. Alumni are still reaching out through messages and emails to discuss opportunities shared during the visits, demonstrating the strength of the St Jude’s network long after the meetings end.
For many scholars, the visits were more than a source of guidance and opportunity. They were a reminder that a community continues to believe in them and support them as they build their future.
