Meet two alumni who have come full circle, from being sponsored students themselves to now sponsoring the next generation. Their journeys show the impact of giving back and the ripple effect of education.
Tell us about what inspired you to sponsor a student scholarship?
When Judica, class of 2015 began sponsoring a bright Standard 1 student back in May 2022, it wasn’t just an act of generosity it was something that resonated with her in a personal level. “A memory of my own childhood and the challenges I faced trying to access quality education stayed with me,” she reflects. “Sponsoring a student scholarship feels like reaching back and lifting someone over the same hurdle I once faced. It’s my way of honoring those who once gave me a chance and ensuring the cycle of hope continues.”
Imagine you could take them anywhere in the world to pass on that inspiration where would you take them, and why?
Now with her sponsored student thriving in Class 4A, Judica often imagines where their journey could lead. If she could take them anywhere in the world, it wouldn’t be to a theme park or a tropical island, it would be to the halls of Oxford or Harvard. “Not for the glamour,” she says, “but to show them how big the world truly is, how ideas shape lives, and how every culture contributes to progress. I want them to dream beyond borders to believe they belong in those spaces. Because with education, anything is possible.”
The person in the middle of the picture is Judica, Class of 2015.
Anna, what does giving back through education mean to you and has a moment like receiving a letter or update from your student ever reminded you why it matters?
Before officially becoming a sponsor to a Standard 1 student in January 2025, Anna class of 2015 had already been supporting the cause of education as a general donor. For Anna, giving back through education, it means actively participating in shaping the kind of world she wants to live in, one where every child, no matter their background, has the tools and opportunities to build a brighter future.
“It was the sweetest thing the handwriting was shaky, with a few misspelled words here and there, and I couldn’t help but smile,” she recalls. “It instantly took me back to my own childhood, to a time when I was just beginning to dream, never imagining the path life would take. Now, to be part of someone else’s beginning that feels incredibly special.”
When asked what simple thing anyone reading her story could do to make a difference in someone’s life today, Anna says, “Be kind. It does magic.” And in a world that often feels chaotic, it’s a reminder that even the smallest act like sponsoring a student scholarship or writing a letter can ripple outwards and transform lives in ways we might never fully see.
In the picture is Anna, class of 2015
Stories like Judica’s and Anna’s remind us that sponsorship is more than just financial support Whether it’s inspired by one’s own journey or a simple desire to make a difference, giving back through education has the power to ripple across generations. These alumni are living proof that the impact of a St Jude’s education doesn’t end at graduation it grows, multiplies, and lifts others along the way.
And maybe, just maybe, your story could be next. Reach out via alumni@schoolofstjude.co.tz or contact 0766200609
