St Jude's is proud to have an engaged community of alumni who remain connected to the school. Though dispersed throughout Tanzania and beyond, they continue to embrace the school values of respect, kindness, responsibility, and honesty. From organising annual alumni reunions to volunteering at school events and even committing to regular financial giving, they are a constant source of inspiration for everyone at St Jude's.
As the year 2024 was winding down, the St Jude's Alumni Association decided to create a special moment with the less privileged in the community. They organised a visit to a local orphanage and raised more than AU$820 to purchase essential supplies, giving the children a holiday season to remember.
"The event was put together at the last minute with only about three days' notice. But the alumni community responded fast, and 125 alumni came together to support the initiative," explains Charles, one of the leaders of the Alumni Association at St Jude's.
On the eve of New Year, Charles and ten other alumni delivered their donations to the orphanage, which serves as a vital sanctuary for children without family care in the region. They arranged a holiday to remember for the children, which included playing games, music, and sharing food, toiletries, and much more.
"The children and staff at the centre were very excited to see us. Most of them were curious to know what we had going on in our lives. So, we spent quite a bit of time sharing about ourselves which was very inspiring to them," narrates Charles.
Among those who joined the volunteer delivery team was Kenedy, a 2019 St Jude’s graduate and current marketing professional. He was inspired by the initiative to give back to the community and a saw it as a way to end the year with kindness.
"I was deeply moved by the impact of our collective effort," reflects Kenedy. “For many children, the orphanage is their home due to the loss of their parents or other disadvantaged circumstances, and it was really important for us to show them they’re not alone and that we care,” he says.
For Kenedy, like many St Jude's alumni, giving back to the community isn’t new. In 2019, he participated in the Community Service Year (CSY) program, an initiative at St Jude's that gives graduates an opportunity to voluntarily teach at understaffed local government schools or assist at St Jude's ahead of higher education.
Kenedy credits his involvement in the program for deepening his commitment to service.
“It’s important for us to give back to the community. This is just one example of how we can do that,” says Kenedy.
Charles is proud of his colleagues, noting that the initiative highlighted the strength and togetherness of St Jude’s alumni. The Alumni Association was established in 2018 by founding members of St Jude’s Classes of 2015 and 2016 and has grown to over 1,300 active members since then. It continues to provide pathways for former students to stay connected to St Jude’s community once they have graduated from The School of St Jude.
Emmanuel, a proud St Jude's alum and recent university graduate, is one of the most promising young
Tanzanian professionals. During his three years at university, he interned at some of the country’s
largest companies, became a local finalist in a prestigious continental research competition, and
graduated with the highest GPA in his class.
On his graduation day, he was personally recognised by the President of the United Republic of
Tanzania, Hon Samia Suluhu Hassan. Emmanuel looks back at his love and passion for a career in finance as a motivating factor.
"I have always dreamed of a career in finance," says Emmanuel. " It’s what I’ve loved since I was young,
and that passion drove me to work hard in my studies," he adds proudly.
Emmanuel's educational journey began at a government school where he was a regular top performer a
class. His hard work in class and impressive academic results made him a teacher's favourite and a peer mentor for his classmates. This continued into secondary school where Emmanuel became even more involved in tutoring his classmates.
"The number of teachers didn’t match the number of students at the school, so I became the go-to
person for helping others," he narrates. "I really enjoyed teaching others and it is one of my favourite
memories from school," he adds.
Emmanuel's hard work and dedication paid off. He aced his Form 4 national examinations, achieving
record-breaking results for his school, and helped many of his classmates improve their performance
and qualify for the next stage.
In Tanzania, there are two key stages to secondary schooling, the first four years of secondary school are called Ordinary Level (O Level) studies; from Form 1 to Form 4 and the final two years of secondary
school are called Advanced Level (A Level); Forms 5 and 6. At the end of each stage, students sit for a
series of standardised national examinations organised by the government. Only those who achieve a
determined pass mark progress to the next stage.
A few weeks after the national results were released, Emmanuel received an invitation to apply for a
scholarship to receive a 100% free, quality education at St Jude's. If successful, he will be part of a new
cohort of students joining St Jude's for A Level studies on a full scholarship. He jumped at the
opportunity.
"I was told that it was very competitive to get a spot at the school," says Emmanuel. "But I was
determined to give it my best, and I did just that," he adds proudly.
The application process was rigorous. Emmanuel completed assessment tests, underwent document
checks, and participated in a home visit by St Jude’s staff to verify his need for the scholarship. The
selection process, involving third-party local government offices and schools, ensures that only the most deserving students are awarded scholarships. With less than 10% of applicants being accepted,
Emmanuel’s determination paid off when he was awarded a scholarship to join St Jude's Secondary
School for his A Level studies.
"I was so happy. Everything—the environment, the resources, the teachers, and the extracurricular
programs—helped me become even better than I already was," he says.
While at St Jude's, Emmanuel paired his strong academic prowess with practical skills in extracurricular activities. He participated in sports and debate competitions, and sharpened his ICT skill-building programs. After completing his A Level studies, he promptly joined the Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program (BSJSP) and spent a year of community service teaching fellow students.
In 2021, Emmanuel joined university with a BSJSP scholarship, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Finance
and Accounting. The free education he received at St Jude's and the continued support at university
provided extra motivation for him to work harder in his studies.
Now, with an impressive GPA of 4.8 (out of 5) and the honour of being the top graduate in his class,
Emmanuel is well on his way to fulfilling his dream of a career in finance. His journey—from helping
classmates as a young student to being recognised by the nation’s president as a university
graduate—highlights the profound impact of quality education and the power of perseverance.
Like most students joining St Jude’s for the first time, Irene didn’t speak much English. So, her favourite place on campus was the playground. She quickly made new friends, discovered the sports she loved most.
“I was eight years old when I joined St Jude’s back in 2006 and the playground felt like a mini amusement park in comparison to my previous school,” shares Irene. “So I tried every sport and game offered at St Jude’s until I eventually settled on football and basketball,” she adds proudly.
When Irene wasn’t busy playing with her friends, she was in the library, scanning books with captivating pictures. She was particularly intrigued by images of the human body and animals, inspiring her lifelong interest in biology and her future career path.
“I would see pictures of children with malnutrition and they really made an impression on me,” recalls Irene. “My dream was to find a solution to this problem so that people wouldn’t have to suffer,” she adds passionately.
Early on, Irene decided that she was going to pursue a career in medicine, so she focused on science subjects throughout her time at St Jude's. Her motivation inspired her to consistently overcome one challenge after another, from the language barrier to succeeding in a male-dominated academic path. All her hard work paid off and Irene excelled in her final examinations earning a spot in the Beyond St Jude’s Scholarship Program (BSJSP), an optional program for secondary school graduates.
The BSJSP supports Form 6 graduates with higher education in universities and colleges across Tanzania and beyond. As part of the program, they spend a year doing community service, volunteering to teach at understaffed government schools or assisting at various placements throughout St Jude’s. Irene chose to volunteer in the Marketing department, where she helped promote the school’s mission to new supporters.
“The experience nurtured my spirit of giving back just as others had supported my education at
St Jude’s,” says Irene. “I also gained some valuable digital and communication skills that have been very useful,” she adds.
During her Community Service Year, Irene accepted a scholarship in Beirut to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics.
“I figured if I can help people make better dietary choices and adopt positive lifestyle changes then it could be the beginning of a healthier community,” she says.
Today, Irene is a globally recognised Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and she's back in Tanzania to put her knowledge and skills to good work, helping people live healthier and better lives. She works as a renal dietitian at one of the largest healthcare networks in East Africa, providing high-quality dialysis to patients.
"I basically help patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis improve their quality of life by providing an individualised nutrition care plan," explains Irene "This includes conducting consultations on what foods to eat to avoid the accumulation of uremic waste, increase protein intake to avoid malnutrition, aid the prevention of anemia," she adds.
Irene is also pioneering a telenutrition service that helps users optimise their dietary intake according to their goals. The digital platform offers practical, budget-friendly advice and personalised counselling, along with food preparation, portion control, and mindful eating resources, making nutrition knowledge accessible to a broad audience.
“I may not solve world hunger or malnutrition today,” says Irene. “But I am proud that I am helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. And that’s a step in the right direction,” she adds passionately.
Irene looks back at her experiences and opportunities at St Jude’s as a crucial part of her inspiration for what she does today. And she is not alone. Irene is part of a growing number of alumni currently using their skills and knowledge to impart the communities positively and lift them out of poverty.
Ramadhani's love for creativity goes back to his early days at St Jude’s. His natural ingenuity for electrical devices caught the attention of his teacher who encouraged him to join the Science Club. From that point on, he pioneered numerous innovative projects at school and won several awards with the support of his mentors and peers.
"We were always working on an exciting project at the Science Club," shares Ramadhani. "It really helped to feed my curiosity and showed us the power of innovation in solving real-life problems," he explains.
Exploring with Friends: Ramadhani (middle) during a school excursion.
When COVID-19 became a global pandemic in 2020, Ramadhani stepped up with an ingenious idea. Looking for a way to minimise the spread of infection through contact, he helped develop a hand washing machine that automatically dispensed soap and water without turning a tap. Ramadhani further extended his invention into a model of a house with automatic hand washing machines, doors, and windows.
"By the time I left St Jude's, I'd already built an impressive portfolio of building useful products and collaborating with others," reflects Ramadhani. "This experience became especially useful as I ventured out into the real world," he adds.
After completing his secondary school education, Ramadhani joined the Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program (BSJSP) for St Jude’s graduates. He spent a year in community service, volunteering to teach mathematics at an under-resourced government school in Arusha.
It didn't take long for Ramadhani to start a Science Club at the school and begin mentoring aspiring innovators like himself. Within a year, the club was participating in science competitions, boot camp training, and STEM-related seminars within Arusha and beyond.
"We had to travel outside Arusha to attend some of the boot camp training and seminars," shares Ramadhani. "These trips made a lasting impression on my students since the majority of them hadn’t been outside Arusha,” he adds.
During his community service year, Ramadhani founded a tech start-up that helped small businesses in rural areas offset inconsistent and sometimes, frequent power cuts. He started by creating and distributing standby power inverters with backup batteries, giving users a few more hours of electricity during outages.
A Passionate Innovator: Behind the scenes, Ramadhani dedicates most of his free time to develop his projects.
"This project was particularly useful for barbers, stationery shops, and local drink vendors that relied heavily on consistent power for their operations," explains Ramadhani. "So the project took off and grew significantly over the year," he adds.
Ramadhani, however, was far from done. While building his business, he noticed a growing gap between the availability of technical services to the public. It was difficult to find well-rated plumbers or electricians without asking around first. So, Ramadhani began putting together a platform to connect technicians —such as electricians, plumbers, masons, and carpenters—with clients who needed their services.
"Today, if you want an electrician you don't have to rely on word-of-mouth referrals from other people," explains Ramadhani. "You simply log into the platform and select one that best suits your needs. It's a win for everyone; tradespeople get consistent work, and clients are generally happy with the service," he adds proudly.
Homegrown Heart: Ramadhani maintains close connections with St Jude's and regularly catches up with students and scholars.
His impressive academic achievements, innovative mind, and community service eventually earned him an international scholarship to a prestigious university in Africa known for breeding next generation entrepreneurs. He continues to work on his innovations and start-up businesses in addition to studies. In his private time, Ramadhani works part-time as a robotics trainer.
He is one of the rising young Tanzanian leaders who are using their skills to create solutions within their community. St Jude's holistic approach to education continues to nurture many aspiring innovators and problem-solvers like Ramadhani. Support the next generation of Tanzanian transformational leaders and professionals by donating to support the school programs.
The Beyond St Jude’s Scholarship Program (BSJSP) first started in 2015 to help graduates begin the next stage of their lives, while continuing to develop their leadership potential and community spirit.
It is composed of two parts: a year or semester of community service, then the tertiary or college scholarship program. During community service graduates personify the school’s values by volunteering to teach at understaffed government schools and at various placements throughout St Jude’s. Those who successfully complete their Community Service placement may then be eligible to receive a BSJSP scholarship to pursue higher education.
After completing their higher education, graduates return for the joint Beyond St Jude’s Recognition Ceremony, where they celebrate their achievements alongside fellow alumni, families, and sponsors.
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.
