From young readers to published authors: The story of Uzuri

When Theresia and Irene joined St Jude’s as Standard 1   students in 2013, the library quickly became their favourite place.

“I didn’t know a school could have so many books,” Irene recalls.

They spent their free time reading, exchanging recommendations and sharing stories with classmates. Before long, they began writing stories of their own. Their first three books, Next to My Mommy, Secret of Colors and I Love Spaghetti became so popular among students that some pages went missing from being passed around so often.

By Form 3, the young writers wanted to create something with a deeper purpose. The idea for their next book, Uzuri (which means beauty in Kiswahili) was born: a story encouraging young girls to embrace their identity, believe in themselves and know they are enough.

The idea was strong, but after writing four pages, they became stuck. Support came through St Jude’s alumni network, which connected the girls with Beyond St Jude’s (BSJ) Special Programs Senior Manager Ms Vivian and Beyond St Jude’s and Career Development Programs Manager Mr Mussa. Together, they reached out to one of our supporters, Ms Cathy, who mentored the girls and helped them push through their writer’s block

In 2025, Theresia and Irene rewrote Uzuri from scratch. They fitted writing around classes, examinations and extracurricular activities, working in quiet library corners and empty classrooms whenever they found time.

“It took us a full year to bring all the ideas together,” Irene says. “Sometimes we experienced writer’s block, but we kept going.”

Currently, the pair are completing their Community Service Year (CSY) at St Jude's, with Theresia in the Marketing Department and Irene in the Alumni Office and hope their story will inspire other students to pursue their own creative ambitions.

Uzuri is proof of what can happen when students are given access to books, encouragement and people who believe in their ideas. One day, another young St Jude’s student may pick it up from the library shelf and realise that she, too, can become an author.