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.
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.
Three months ago, our 2024 Form 6 graduates set the best-ever record in the history of national exam performance at St Jude's. All but one of our 200 graduates got Division 1s and 2s—enabling us to achieve a 100% pass rate with 99.5% of our students scoring within the two highest band scores in the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE). And the top performer of the lot? A female student, Victoria, got straight A's in all her core subjects!
The final two years of secondary school education in Tanzania are known as Advanced Level (A Level) Forms 5 and 6. At the end of the final year of secondary school, students sit for a series of standardised examinations organised by the government through the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA).
Today, Victoria is a Community Service Year volunteer teaching geography at a local government school through the Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program (BSJSP). She shares about her life at school, rising to the top of her class, and her experience as a Community Service volunteer so far.
How long have you been at St Jude's?
I have been at St Jude's for 14 years! That's all the way from primary to secondary school. So, many of my friends and core life memories are from St Jude's.
What did you like most while at school?
I loved Mathematics! I pursued it all the way to my A Level studies. When I wasn't busy studying, I spent time with friends and played netball in the evenings. I was also part of the Interact Club and regularly volunteered to teach government school students in remedial classes.
How did you rise to the top of your class?
I wasn't always the top performer. It wasn't until three years ago that I started getting A's in my exams, and it wasn't something I achieved overnight. It was built upon years of support from teachers, fellow students, other extracurricular programs at the school, and, of course, hard work.
What are some handy tips that helped you improve your scores?
It was not a tip but a piece of advice from my sponsor that I took to heart. My sponsor sent me a letter encouraging me to dream big and believe I could achieve anything I set my mind on. This advice inspired me to dream big, believe in myself, and work hard.
How do you find your Community Service Year (CSY) experience so far?
This is the best decision I have ever made! I love teaching others, so the experience of giving back is truly fulfilling. I teach about 93 students, and the best part of my day is interacting with them. They often ask me to extend lessons and even help bring my materials from the office before class.
After more than 12 years at St Jude's, Tabitha was ready to embark on her next adventure – pursuing her dreams at university. So, in 2020, 22-year-old Tabitha travelled to Tabora, a town in central Tanzania, for her tertiary studies. But as she soon found, the transition wasn't easy.
"I have always been a big city girl," says Tabitha, who, until this time, had spent her entire life in Arusha, one of Tanzania's biggest cities and a vibrant tourist hub. "Tabora felt small and didn't resemble Arusha at all. My first impression of the place was a little underwhelming," she adds.
Nevertheless, Tabitha embraced the change. Later, she realised that the town's rural, remote setting was the perfect place to put her skills and knowledge to good use.
"In retrospect, Tabora was exactly where I needed to be to make the change I wanted to see," reflects Tabitha. "I've always been passionate about helping special groups within the community; specifically those denied access because of their disabilities."
In just three years, Tabitha went from a novice university student in a new town to an inspiration in the community. She established a reputable nursery and daycare centre that caters to children under the age of seven, including those with disabilities and learning challenges.
"It all started from a deep desire to help children in need, especially those with disabilities," reflects Tabitha. "I noticed that these children were not being taken to school because their parents felt as though they were wasting money. So, I figured there needs to be a daycare in the community where these parents could see their children thriving as much as the other children that go to school," she adds passionately.
Her business started in 2022 with just five students. Tabitha's resolve to make the centre a vibrant and special place for children made it stand out. Her innovative approach to childcare and education, including the use of interactive games, movies, and songs, began making waves in the community. By the end of 2023, the number of children had risen to 20, 10 of whom had already progressed to primary school.
"My best highlight is seeing my students grow in character and academically," says Tabitha proudly. "Students from the centre not only continue to thrive in their primary schools, but they are also setting the bar for academic performance and good behaviour," she adds.
In Tanzania, there persists a negative attitude towards individuals with disabilities, resulting in parents often hiding their children from public view. This deprives them of education and opportunities to socialise with their peers. Tabitha's mission is to bridge this gap and extend educational opportunities to more children with disabilities.
"It's not always easy to convince parents to take their children with disabilities to school," says Tabitha. "But when they see children with similar circumstances at the centre happy and flourishing academically, it becomes easier to break down some of those negative notions associated with them," she adds.
Tabitha is currently in her final year of university, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Education in Special Needs. She is one of the many alumni from St Jude's putting her skills to good use and impacting the community. Tabitha hopes to use her education to continue breaking down barriers and make education accessible to all children.
