Among the hustle and bustle of one of the fastest growing cities in the world, five St Jude’s tertiary scholars are working hard towards an achievement that Founder Gemma only dreamed of for her students, when she started the school 17 years ago.
In just two years Hosiana, Suleiman, Esuvat, Elizabeth, Joshua and Abdulaziz will be the first scholars to graduate from medical school, and on their way to being leaders in the medical field.
“The School of St Jude has built us to become people who can initiate change, so I thought if I am a doctor, I can help. Not only will we be the first graduating medical students from St Jude’s, we’ll also be the first doctors on the streets and in the villages we are from. It’s not just about practicing medicine but if something is wrong in the system then you should be the first one to speak up and improve it,” 25-year-old Suleiman reflected looking out over his university campus.
After graduating from St Jude’s in 2015, the five bright St Jude’s scholars are in their third year of the five-year degree at Muhimbili University, widely regarded as the top medical school in Tanzania. They are already making a difference to patients by spending some of their time out of the classroom and on ward rotations in the hospital attached to the University.
“We’ve just finished pediatrics and so far it’s the most challenging department we have been to, but it is so rewarding to see a child come in very malnourished, for example, and to stay with them for eight weeks in the ward and then to see them go home nourished. As you move from one rotation to another you find you are actually able to do something, however small it is, to make a difference in a person’s life,” Suleiman shared.
Upon completing his degree, Suleiman will undertake an internship to become a licensed doctor and plans to practice medicine before starting a Master’s degree.
“As a specialist you can participate in policy making, you will have a voice and can help create change in our country. In Africa there are a lot of infectious diseases and if you don’t have a good medical team you cannot combat the cycle of infections in third world countries like Tanzania. For example, we have a problem with dengue fever and malaria, and in Dar es Salaam we have had a cholera outbreak in some neighbourhoods. We need the right people in place to make the correct diagnosis and also to influence change. If you are aware of the problems you will be passionate to make a difference,” Suleiman said.
That passion is shared by all five scholars who radiate pride for their St Jude’s education. For 25-year-old Hosiana the transition from her home made of sticks and mud, to city living, has been easy thanks to the St Jude’s community.
“Our St Jude’s family has continued onto Dar. The five of us share a home together, we study, eat and socialise together. Having St Jude’s behind us supporting us with a scholarship, it feels amazing to be the first group of graduating doctors. I am still connected to many St Jude’s students and I help where I can with career counselling,” Hosiana beamed.
This bright young woman is not only leading the way for St Jude’s students but is bringing the barriers of inequality in the medical industry tumbling down.
“When I was young I thought all doctors were men as we had two doctors in our village, both were men. The ratio of male to female doctors is about 3 to 1 but it is great that the number of female doctors is continuing to increase. When St Jude’s first visited my home as part of the selection process I said I wanted to be a nurse, not because I didn’t want to be a doctor but because I didn’t think it was possible. They made it possible for me,” Hosiana expressed.
One of the driving factors motivating Hosiana when ‘med school’ becomes tough, is something she was told while at St Jude’s.
“The school has always had this philosophy of building future leaders and I once heard Mama Gemma talk about her hopes that one of her graduates would one day be her daughter’s gynaecologist because her experience showed that there were far too few of them. How special that because of my St Jude’s foundation, I could be that woman and help her daughter.”
Suleiman and Hosianas’ opportunity to excel is thanks to their Beyond St Jude’s Tertiary Scholarships, which are supported by their long-term sponsors and covers tuition fees, students’ living expenses, a laptop, textbooks and study materials.
“To be able to start my professional career without the burden of a loan to repay, is life changing. Having the chance to study in such a big city I get to meet a lot of professionals and I have received a lot of advice about what fields I should pursue,” Hosiana elaborated.
Both scholars hope their achievement, come 2021, will inspire the next generation of St Jude’s students and staff.
“No matter their circumstances, if they come from low socio-economic areas or marginalised backgrounds, they’re not obstacles. We have been there and now we are here.” Suleiman enthused.
All five aspiring doctors are true trailblazers, breaking new ground for the school they still hold close.
Their graduation in just two years is yet another milestone highlighting how the St Jude's graduates are challenging the status quo and finding solutions for the 12 million Tanzanians living in poverty.
“My family dreamed for me to be a doctor, but this experience has been bigger than I ever could have imagined. The future is bright,” Suleiman beamed.
Help other students follow in the footsteps of these aspiring doctors who are working to transform their community. Sponsor a student or tertiary scholarship today.
How has your first job as a St Jude’s intern improved your life?
“You meet different people here, it gives me a lot of experience, how to work in a group and how to work in a team. I have learnt discipline from working, learnt how to manage deadlines, how to conduct yourself in a work environment and how to overcome challenges. Most of all I’ve been able to give back to my community and school and say thank you for all the years they gave to me.”
How is your internship, and first year in the workforce, making a difference to the community?
“In Tanzania lots of government schools are lacking teachers so I’ve got the opportunity to make a big difference. For most of the students here their English is a problem, so that is a challenge I have come across. There is a big difference from The School of St Jude and government schools, the materials for teachers aren’t nearly as good, class numbers are around sixty students and some classes don’t even have a teacher.”
How is your community service internship helping prepare you for the workforce?
“This job is helping me prepare for the workforce as before I was not confident to speak in front of people that I have never met but now that is not a problem. Everyone is supporting me, anytime I have a problem I go to them and they help me. I love educating the visitors that come here about The School of St Jude. I have had the chance to learn more about the cultural and language differences with visitors from all over the world and that will only help me professionally. It is a privilege to give back to St Jude’s and I hope through the information I give our visitors it will encourage more sponsors to join our community.”
What made you want to give back to St Jude’s with your community service year?
“I have never had a job before but now I am like both a teacher and parent. I take all the responsibilities with those roles. It means a lot to me and prepares me to be someone that is really hard working. I look forward to work each week but the biggest challenge is managing the students so they are achieving and happy. It is a good tactic to help me be ready for the workforce and it is equipping me to make positive changes in my community.”
What challenges have you come across in your Community Service Year?
“I am getting new skills about how to communicate with people from all ages, because before this I struggled with that. To stand up in front of a class full of students only a few years younger than me is a challenge but I have found a great new confidence.Before St Jude’s and my internship life was tough and now I want to give back.”
Godwin can’t wait to tell you about how receiving a free, high-quality education at St Jude’s has changed his life.
The aspiring electrical engineer graduated last year, topping his class in both maths and science and is currently completing his Beyond St Jude’s Community Service Year as a volunteer teacher in an under-resourced, local government school.
His sense of community spirit, determination and aptitude has certainly paid off; in addition to being invited by Gemma to join her for St Jude’s 2019 international promotional tour, Godwin recently found out he has successfully earned a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Engineering in the United States.
“It has been a great year for me so far! I have so many opportunities in my hands, and it is all thanks to The School of St Jude. It is my great pleasure and honour to meet so many St Jude’s supporters, the people who have helped me become the young man I am, and thank them for what they have done, what they have given me,” Godwin said.
Like so many of our students, Godwin, who was raised by a single mother, has faced significant obstacles and challenges along the road to success.
“I did not start at St Jude’s until secondary school, in 2012. I attended a government primary school and we did not have enough seats, teachers or textbooks. I remember each day around lunch time, I was so hungry that all I could do was daydream about drinking the porridge my mum would cook in the afternoon. It was all we would eat for the day,” he shared.
“Sometimes, we had to skip meals. When I came to St Jude’s, it was like paradise. We had three meals a day and everything a student needs to study hard. We were encouraged by our teachers. Thanks to St Jude’s, I had chances to enter essay competitions and was fortunate to even win some of them. These small victories gave me confidence when I was applying for university scholarships. I have had a golden chance and the sky is the limit!”
Godwin’s educational journey has come full-circle. He is completing his Community Service Year at the secondary school he would have attended, had he not been accepted into St Jude’s.
“I look at my students and see in comparison how tough it is for them. The government school has only two physics teachers for 1,500 students. There is no doubt that education is the most important weapon to fight poverty, and St Jude’s supporters are helping us do this every day.”
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet Godwin and find out more about how St Jude’s is changing lives. Stay updated with our 2019 tour itinerary!
In 2016, the Beyond St Jude’s team announced a partnership with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP). The program provides fully-funded scholarships for Sub-Saharan African high school graduates who come from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds and has so far awarded 12 scholarships to St Jude’s graduates.
Suzanne, the program’s Director of Scholar Search and Selection, works with Beyond St Jude’s each year to interview prospective St Jude’s Community Service Year interns, nominated by the Beyond St Jude’s team for MCFSP scholarships.
“Scholarships like those provided by Beyond St Jude’s and MCFSP are often a game-changer for students who don’t have the means to attend university,” Suzanne said.
“The goals of MCFSP and St Jude’s clearly overlap — investing in, nurturing and mentoring young people who can return to their community and drive change.”
“We give our first year scholars the opportunity to run a Community Action Project (CAP), which gives Scholars a chance to identify an issue in their community and come up with a creative way to address the problem. The project should directly serve a sub-set of their community.”
“Both Amani and Winrose — members of St Jude's Class of 2016 and MCFSP Scholars — did CAPs in their home communities last summer with funding from us,” Suzanne explained.
Meet St Jude’s prospective MCFSP Scholars for 2018! These intrepid graduates were nominated to interview for the scholarships based on their academic diligence and community spirit.
“I have been nominated to study a Bachelor of Health Service Management at the African University of Mutare in Zimbabwe. I am excited because it is a great opportunity to gain exposure, meet new people and tell them about Tanzania. I will also be able to give back to my community.”
“My dream is to be successful in supporting the needy people of my community, and my own family.”
“I have been put forward to study a Business degree at the United States International University Africa, in Nairobi. I love diversity, I like meeting new people, learning about new cultures and through this scholarship, I will see the world from a different angle.”
“The best thing about the MCFSP program, is their, “go back, give back,” philosophy. This means they will support us to return to our homes and contribute through community service. This aligns with St Jude’s philosophy – it is fulfilling to work to serve others.”
“I hope to be going to the University of Botswana to study a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. I want to be an accountant and auditor.”
“I am so excited because I will learn about the policies of another country and I will bring skills back to Tanzania. My dream is to establish an industry that will provide employment opportunities.”
“I am nominated to attend the University of Rochester in New York City, studying a Bachelor in Electrical and Computer Engineering.”
“I see that this scholarship assures I will acquire the specific knowledge and necessary skills to solve challenges facing my community. My dream is to work hand in hand with the government to enlighten the communities of Tanzania. The community should look towards the light, not focus on the darkness of the night. We must look towards development.”
“I have applied to study a Bachelor of Public Health. I hope to gain worldwide knowledge through going to university. I would like to have a positive impact on my country. I also hope for the chance to expand my network of friends, explore a new culture and exchange new ideas.”
“In 10 years, I picture myself being a successful self-employed business woman. I want to join hands with others and work towards creating strong female leadership by supporting women in business within Africa.”
Dorcas and Denis graduated from Form 6 at St Jude’s in May and began their Beyond St Jude’s Community Service Year internships in July.
Dorcas, a skilled communicator, opted for a placement in St Jude’s Supporter Relations team in the Business Office, while Denis has taken on the task of teaching sciences in a local government school.
These voluntary internship placements have given the daring duo the necessary skills and confidence to pitch a unique social enterprise scheme to potential investors at a recent conference held in Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s industry hub.
Thanks to their free, quality education at St Jude’s, Dorcas and Denis were encouraged to pursue their interests in science and entrepreneurship, and had access to well-equipped science laboratories during their schooling.
“Denis and I were grateful for having access to good facilities at St Jude’s. We realised that government school students do not have the same resources. Some of the government school students Denis teaches have a negative attitude towards science because they think that if they do not have practical science experience, they cannot succeed later on,” Dorcas shared.
“We pitched the idea to investors to open a small lab and provide cheap, yet safe, facilities for government school students to learn how to do science experiments. Without innovators and scientists, Tanzania cannot move forward.”
Dorcas and Denis presented their idea at the Arusha Sparks Innovation and Technology Event in September. As finalists, they received partially-sponsored tickets to pitch their business plan at the larger Sahara Sparks and Afrilabs Annual Gathering in Dar es Salaam during October.
“We met with young adults from all over Africa and Europe. As two of the youngest delegates, we were nervous, but met with great success and learnt from everyone we spoke to,” Dorcas enthused.
“There is so much to consider when you write a proposal. We considered the role of marketing, the revenue mode and how our idea would be unique. Most importantly, we considered the wider community impact: how can we empower youth to change their own community?”
St Jude’s encourages students to ask that very question and to address challenges facing Tanzanians. Dorcas and Denis believe that students proficient in science and technology will go on to be leaders in their country.
“Science can fulfill many goals and intentions for Tanzania. Due to minimal resources in government schools, we are also lacking skills in producing scientific methods and goods here. We import instead of producing on our own. We have so much land to use. The President has talked about industrialisation, but without engineers and lab technicians, how do we move forward? People here have the brains, but not always the privilege or motivation because of the poverty they experience,” Dorcas and Denis said.
“Of course, when presenting to fellow scientists and entrepreneurs in Dar es Salaam, we were very nervous. I was alone at the conference on my first day, but even the public speaking and debating training I had from St Jude’s gave me confidence to share my idea. It was scary, but I overcame the fear. As a result, we had people from all over Africa taking interest in our idea. To others who wish to pursue a passion, I would say, ‘just go for it!’”
What are you waiting for?
Engineer a student’s future and make a donation to St Jude’s today!
In May 2018, The School of St Jude welcomed 70 Form 6 students into our growing cohort of graduates. Since 2015, 395 young men and women have completed their secondary studies at the school.
After graduating from Form 6, alumni may choose to participate in Beyond St Jude’s two-part program: a Community Service Year internship in an under-resourced government school, or in one of St Jude’s departments, followed by a tertiary scholarship, commencing upon successful completion of the Community Service Year.
This month, our fourth group of volunteer Community Service Year interns began their placements, eager to develop their professional skills and share their knowledge and passion for learning with government school students who have not been as fortunate as they have.
The Beyond St Jude’s team was hard at work in the weeks leading up to the commencement of a new Community Service Year, refining the five day Work Readiness Training and updating training resources so this year’s interns can benefit from the experience of previous interns.
The comprehensive training equips interns with practical and theoretical knowledge about professionalism, child protection, communication, time management, budgeting, and more.
Mr Avity, a member of the Beyond St Jude’s team, oversees Work Readiness Training and knows it is beneficial for our interns.
“When we started the training this year, many interns did not think they had confidence to stand in front of students and teach. However, after acquiring new skills, by day five [of training], the same students said, ‘I am not as nervous anymore. I see that I can, and I will.’”
Christina, formerly the Head Girl of Smith Secondary Campus and President of Tembo Club, has chosen to complete her Community Service Year as an intern in the Marketing team in St Jude’s Business Office.
“Work Readiness Training was really a mind preparation program. I loved learning life skills through the training. One essential thing I learnt was that one should build positive workplace relationships so that you can effectively communicate with others. Creating good relationships means you can tackle challenges you may face as a team.”
The program was equally beneficial for Community Service Year interns who will be teaching government school students in subjects for which they would otherwise have no teacher.
One of Christina’s first tasks as Marketing intern was to visit and interview Reginald, who is currently teaching chemistry to Form 1 students at a government school close to St Jude’s Sisia Primary Campus.
“I teach up to 300 students, across 16 classes throughout the week. I am happy to share the knowledge I gained from my schooling with our young brothers and sisters in government schools, who are at risk of not receiving the same opportunities I have had.” Reginald told Christina.
“The Work Readiness Training prepared me very well for teaching. It taught me how to plan class lessons, we received advice from government school teachers who joined the program as guest speakers, and I learnt a lot about class management.”
“It is only my first week of the Community Service Year internship, so I am still getting used to the environment. I hope that I will follow up on my students’ progress throughout the year and I hope to be a part of their academic success,” Reginald said.
