Like most students joining St Jude's for the first time, Irene was blown away by her initial impression of the school. The highly resourced environment and the various opportunities at St Jude's motivated her to explore new interests and hobbies.
"I started at St Jude's when I was in Standard 2, so almost everything was a new experience," recalls Irene. "I loved playing in the sand after school hours, picked up volleyball as a hobby, and ooh, the school buses – I loved them so much," she adds with a smile.
Irene went on to spend the next 12 years at St Jude's, excelling in academics while developing crucial leadership and communication skills. She was an active member of several clubs, including public speaking, debate, and the book club. After completing her secondary education, she promptly joined the Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program (BSJSP), where she spent a year in community service, further honing her leadership abilities.
Her efforts and determination paid off, and Irene won an international scholarship to pursue higher education in neighbouring Kenya.
"I learned many things throughout my time at St Jude's, and one that has always stuck with me is the responsibility to give back and make a positive change in my community," reflects Irene. "As I left to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a businesswoman, I knew it would involve the community somehow," she adds.
Fuelled by her spirit of hard work and resilience, Irene wasted no time in turning her dream into reality. She capitalised on her skills and experience from St Jude's by earning a Bachelor's degree in International Business Administration. After university, she went straight into entrepreneurship, putting her knowledge to good use by launching a clothing business in her hometown of Arusha. Within just a few years, Irene's business skyrocketed, opening job opportunities to others.
Did you know?
Irene is one of the many graduates from St Jude's whose businesses are providing employment in the community. Since our first graduates in 2015, 30 St Jude's alumni have gone on to start their businesses and, in the process, employed 250 people.
Irene, however, was far from done. In due time, she expanded on her positive impact on the community.
"I met a friend who had a successful recovery from addiction," Irene narrates. "The more I learned about his journey and experience, the more I was inspired. After many discussions and research, we teamed up to start our own rehabilitation centre here in Arusha," she adds proudly.
The first days weren't easy for Irene. She enrolled in a special NA (Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous) program to better understand addiction while multitasking between her business and getting the rehab program off the ground.
"Though quite challenging, it was worth it," reflects Irene.
Today, the centre has 30 residents recovering from different types of addiction. Her program follows a holistic approach to helping individuals achieve lasting recovery, focusing on mental wellness, emotional support, group therapy, and spiritual guidance as part of their daily sessions. Irene oversees the entire operation, ensuring everything runs smoothly. She routinely stays in touch with the residents' families, updating them on their progress.
"Over 68% of those who seek help through our program achieve sobriety and go on to lead productive lives," remarks Irene. "One of our managers at the centre was once a resident here who achieved full recovery and is now helping others do the same," she adds proudly.
Irene and her partner plan to expand their operations to include vocational training to equip their residents with practical skills to make a living once they leave the centre. Despite the big plans, Irene remains focused, taking it one day at a time with her mantra: "Just for today."
"It means dealing with what is in front of me today. When tomorrow comes, we'll sort it out with the same weight as the present," she explains. "It's one of the many things I learned through the NA program," she adds.
Irene's journey reflects the values of kindness and respect, which are core to St Jude's. Her story showcases the ripple effect of education and how it can empower communities to achieve and do more. You can support St Jude's by spreading the word about our stories and impact in fighting poverty through education.
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