Standing in front of his community leaders, elders, parents and peers with a strong message about eliminating early marriage from his village, St Jude’s graduate, Lomnyack, epitomises a leader driving change.

Whilst home on his holidays from university, where he is studying Civil Engineering, he called a community seminar to raise awareness about the importance of education and the long-term benefits of keeping girls in school, not just for themselves but their family and community too.

Lomnyack has had every chance to excel with his free, quality, St Jude’s education, but the story is very different for many in his remote Maasai village, Engalaoni. Only 50% of children there started secondary school in 2019, much fewer will complete it and only a handful have made it into higher education.

The situation for girls is even worse, only half the number girls will finish Form 4 compared to boys. These statistics prompted Lomnyack, as part of the Community Action project he is undertaking as part of the university scholarship he got because of his St Jude’s education, to find out why.

“After my initial research, I found early marriage is a big problem facing the community. When I was in secondary school at St Jude’s there were only five students left in my year level in the government school in my village. While I am at university I am always thinking back to my community. With my strategy for this project I think our team can help have early marriage eliminated in five years,” Lomnyack said confidently.

Lomnyack has enlisted the help of current Form 6 St Jude’s student, Lotoishe, and other young men from Engalaoni village to stand in solidarity against the issue.

“Girls aren’t the only ones responsible so it is important, as young men, to stop this. I learnt at St Jude’s that girls are passionate to study but it is often the men that are stopping them. In the seminar, there were four girls who have refused at least four marriages each and they came to us. When I started the project there was a lot of resistance, not everyone was accepting what I was trying to tell them. I used my St Jude’s journey as an example of why education is important,” Lomnyack explained.

The community seminar was just the first step in Lomnyack’s project, his team also plans to visit each family where child marriage has been raised as an issue to help educate them on the benefits of keeping girls in school. Then, with the support of the village leaders, Lomnyack will look to implement a local law against early marriage. It’s unprecedented progress for the remote Maasai village and Lomnyack credits St Jude’s for developing his leadership skills.

“Going to St Jude’s has made me a leader. Before the school I was passionate about changing my community but I didn’t know how. My leadership grew because I got to mix with different visitors and professionals from all over the world and it changed my mindset. Our Maasai village can lead the way and spread the message. Through the seminar I have developed a very strong team of young people and, together with my fellow St Jude’s graduates, in the future we can join together and say no! No towards bad practices in the community,” Lomnyack said passionately, looking out over his village. 

St Jude’s aim is to develop community-focused leaders who can challenge the status quo and find solutions to drive change for their families and the millions of Tanzanians living in poverty. Now, as the 500+ graduates start to forge their own path after St Jude’s, their actions are showing that this hope is becoming a reality.

As Lomnyack mentors those that have been directly affected by the poor quality of education in his village, there is a feeling this may only be the start for this St Jude’s graduate and future leader.

“I want young women to have a future plan, not just getting married. I can see a lot of resistance but I hope to make a difference. Even 50% success is enough to make change in the future,” Lomnyack reflected.

Will you join our impressive St Jude’s alumni in giving back? Empower young leaders to fight poverty through education and make a donation to St Jude’s.

Deep in one of the poorest and most densely populated parts of Arusha town, a St Jude’s student is quickly becoming a hometown hero. Admired for his determination and ability to overcome adversity, Form 4 student Daudi is a role model for his younger siblings who attend under-resourced government schools and his young neighbours who play in the street with a soccer ball made of plastic bags. He’s also earnt the respect of his elders since he joined St Jude’s in 2009.

“I live with my mother and am the oldest of three boys and my young sister. We live in one room and there are many challenges in this area. Around the streets there are boys my age who are not attending school, they have a difficult life, so I thank God that I have the opportunity to study at The School of St Jude,” Daudi explained sitting outside his family’s brick room.

The 18-year-old is now well on his way to becoming an electrical engineer thanks to the teaching, resources and opportunities at St Jude’s.

“I would really like to improve this area with electricity because everyone in this place needs to have power in his or her home,” Daudi expressed.

Like many of the 1,800 students studying at St Jude’s, Daudi’s journey hasn’t come without challenges at home. Last year Daudi’s father, Stephano, became ill and the family were forced to move from a three-roomed home to their current single-roomed home to pay for his medical expenses. Sadly, Stephano passed away, leaving Daudi with a big responsibility as the oldest son in the family.

“I lost my dad who was one of my heroes, it really hurt my family as he was the one looking after us. What I can do to make my dad proud, wherever he is, is to take care of my family, especially my siblings and my mother so they don’t have any obstacles in the future,” Daudi shared quietly.

The St Jude’s community is supporting Daudi’s family, while ensuring Daudi fulfils his dream of becoming a future leader of the electrical engineering industry.Daudi stays in the Smith Secondary Campus’ boarding house, which ensures he can attend school without any external pressures and barriers. It also gives him the independence and opportunity to explore his passion of basketball and the chance to do extra study after school.

Daudi’s chemistry teacher, Mr Deusdedit, has watched Daudi grow during his time at St Jude’s and couldn’t be prouder of his improvement.

“I have known Daudi since Form 3 last year and I am teaching him currently in Form 4. In the midterm test which was done in March he got 83, which is an A, it’s a good path towards engineering. He’s also compassionate and I think he can do well. For me, if he keeps focusing on study and his goal, I have no doubt he will fulfil his dream of becoming an engineer,” Mr Deusdedit said.

Daudi has also benefited from meeting industry leaders from across the world who generously support, and have visited, St Jude’s; helping to open his eyes to the possibilities that he can work towards.

“St Jude’s has changed my perspective on life. I get to meet a lot of people who can help, I’ve met engineers who work with sports cars and experts from an Australian software company,” Daudi explained.

With plans to graduate Form 6 in a couple of years and go on to do a Community Service Year with the Beyond St Jude’s program and then to university, Daudi’s future couldn’t be brighter, but no matter how far he travels, six-year-old sister Lydia will always be his biggest supporter.

Her admiration for Daudi is evident as she proudly tries on Daudi’s St Jude’s school tie when he returns home for school break.

She knows her big brother is driving change for their family, their neighbourhood and their country, thanks to St Jude’s. Daudi is truly becoming a hometown hero.

Help empower students like Daudi and see the change that their academic scholarship not only brings to them, but their families too. Become a sponsor this month as part of our 2019 Annual Appeal.

There is an age-old African proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ and at St Jude’s we not only have over 290 committed staff, we also have a group of dedicated parent representatives, who on behalf of almost 2,000 students’ families, work to better the school.

The Parent Committee started as a ‘working bee’ with parents planting the grass that students walk on and harvesting the maize and beans staff ate when the school began. As the school has grown, so too has the parents’ involvement. Forty-nine parents represent the different areas in which students live across Arusha and surrounding regions, to investigate any issues at home and keep parents informed when students stay in boarding. 

Elizabeth, the Committee’s Chairperson, is giving back because she is grateful that a stranger from a foreign land, and the St Jude’s community, believe in her daughter’s potential.

“We follow up any issues by visiting homes, we look after the little primary students at the bus stops and we also arrange for parents to come in to school to help in the kitchens and maintain the gardens.” Elizabeth explained.

The father of Form 1 student, Irene, couldn’t be prouder to be on the Committee and loves sharing the St Jude’s story in the community.

“We have Committee members who update parents and talk to those in the community interested in St Jude’s. We also meet every month and all parents can attend. It’s very important in Tanzania to be culturally sensitive and we help with relationships between the school and parents. The Parent Committee has helped the school make lots of follow-ups. We are very involved.”

“We are proud to be part of the St Jude’s community; it surprises many people how this school helps bring hope to poor families. It is a very unique thing,” Charles said.

Assisting with welfare matters is also a key part of the role; representatives might visit a students’ home if a teacher identifies an issue with a student in the classroom to see if there are any underlying reasons for this in their home life. Parent reps are also involved in the student selection process, helping to identify and reach students in remote areas and in the greatest need of education.

School Founder, Gemma Sisia, meets with the representatives regularly and values their involvement. She explains the essential role they play in ensuring the welfare of students and in continuing the ethical and transparent legacy of the school.

“I believe they are the eyes and ears of what’s happening. Statistics have shown me that 99% of the problems they have reported are accurate. Their feedback has created change around the school, manuals have been updated and contracts have been changed. They are very honest with what they tell us and I think that’s precious,” Gemma reflected.

So just like the African proverb describes, an entire community is boosting and caring for each St Jude’s student, helping them to become the future leaders of their chosen industries and of Tanzania.

“The parents’ involvement and information comes from the heart as, in the end, they just want their kids to have the best education. They truly love our school,” Gemma concluded.

When you donate to St Jude’s you help ensure that the unseen but invaluable parts of the school, like the work of our Parent Committee, can continue. Donate today and help create change for a whole community.

Just a short 10-minute drive from our Smith Secondary Campus in Usa River is a local orphanage, a stark reminder of the realities of living in a country where up to 10% of the child population are orphaned. 

St Jude’s secondary students participate in monthly volunteering, giving back to the community on their weekends, as a way to spread the generosity they have received even further.

30 St Jude’s students spent their Saturday morning washing clothes, cooking and putting smiles on the faces of those at the small orphanage. Around 150 St Jude’s students have lost one or both of their parents and know the challenges these children face.

Form 5 student Zuhura looks forward to the visits because she knows she’s been given a quality education and wants to drive change.

“We are going back into the community to assist other people because we have been given the chance at The School of St Jude that only a few get. Outside the school gates can feel a world away sometimes. I know I am only in the position I am in because my sponsor is giving back too,” Zuhura said.

Zuhura was a natural with the younger orphans, initiating games to brighten their morning. The 19-year-old says that’s because she knows what it’s like to have very little.

“I certainly lived under hard conditions at home, sometimes me and my siblings missed meals, sometimes we went to school with no uniforms or books. It can hurt when you see other children getting opportunities, so now as one of the lucky ones, I can spend a bit of time to make others smile,” she reflected.

Zuhura also shared some wise words with the young, bright minds at the orphanage, encouraging them to study hard at school and use education as their foundation.

The volunteer program has helped shape Zuhura’s ideas for her future. She is determined to be part of the 4% of Tanzanians enrolled in higher education and focus her studies where she can continue to have an impact on those less fortunate.

“I love the community and I have not forgotten where I have come from. I want to study social work or child psychology at university,” Zuhura beamed.

The visits are all part of St Jude’s, ’School Service and Self Reliance Program’, instilling in each student the knowledge and belief that they too can help break the cycle of poverty.

“The school can only operate thanks to the generosity of people giving, so we want our students to do the same. This is all leading to their Community Service Year as part of the Beyond St Jude’s program, but we start enriching our students with the concept of giving early on. We appreciate what is being given by sponsors and donors and that’s what we want our students to develop, not just that giving is a good thing but that you are capable of giving in so many ways,” Head of Service at Smith Secondary Campus, Mr Ernest outlined.

For Form 4 student Deogratius the visits are about giving hope to those who have the odds stacked against them, a position he admits he was once in.

“Before studying at St Jude’s I had to walk long distances to school like these kids have to. My favourite part of our visits is seeing the kids smile. You can feel the whole vibe of the orphanage change when we start getting to work here and when we have time with the kids after. Thanks to these visits I even want to start my own orphanage after I finish school and am set up professionally because I see a lot of social-economic problems developing in Tanzania,” Deogratius shared while soaking washing for the orphanage.

St Jude’s students know their education is a valuable gift and that their good fortune can be shared with others, much like the thousands of people worldwide who keep St Jude’s running each day. 

Be a part of our students’ inspirational journeys and help them give back to their community. Become a sponsor today.

Our students and school have been beamed onto screens across Australia. St Jude’s has featured on long-running Australian news television program, Behind the News.

Australia’s national broadcaster has been running the show since the 1960’s and the segments are a part of classroom lessons for the majority of upper primary and lower secondary students in Australia. The program is also an important and accessible resource for regional students because the content is streamed online. 

St Jude’s was approached to feature on the prestigious program by Producer, Emma Davis, who visited the school last year while touring Tanzania with her family. 

“After seeing this side of Tanzania and Arusha, I really wanted to share that experience with people and kids back home so they can try to understand what life is like for a family on the other side of the world. At BTN we value the voice of children and work hard to give them an opportunity to share their stories from their point of view." Emma explained.

Standard 6 students were invited to audition to represent the school as ‘Rookie Reporters’. The students’ pride in their education and their English skills shone through during the process. Our Marketing team then had the hard task of selecting the two students who would help St Jude’s come to life on Australian television screens.

Charismatic students Abdul and Salma explained the moment they found out they were chosen to present on behalf of St Jude’s 1,800 students.

“I couldn’t believe it; I started practicing straight away. The project has really helped me become more confident,” Abdul shared.

“I hope that Australians watching the story will see the benefits of helping other people less fortunate than themselves,” Salma added.

The duo quickly became naturals in front of the camera, mentored by an experienced cameraman and journalist who are part of St Jude’s staff on the ground in Tanzania. Salma and Abdul proudly take viewers on a tour of their classrooms, library, art room and boarding house.

A highlight for Salma was filming with Founder Gemma Sisia, who grew up watching Behind the News at primary school herself.“I felt honoured to introduce Mama Gemma and film with her. We owe her a lot,” Salma grinned.

During the news piece, audiences were also transported to Salma’s home in the semi-rural area of Usa River to meet her mum, Saumu.

“I liked taking the team to my house and getting to introduce my Mum to Australians. She was very proud that I was selected for this project and I hope people watching feel welcomed into my home,” Salma explained.

The budding reporters hope that by sharing their lives and challenges with TV viewers it will help spread the message of how St Jude’s is really making a difference, fighting poverty through education.

“I want people watching the segment to see that our school is leading the way in Tanzania and hopefully they will think about sponsoring one of my classmates or visiting the school,” Abdul said from the heart.

The episode is being aired on Tuesday 28th May at 10am on ABC3 you can catch up on the episode on BTN’s website.

See the difference St Jude’s is making to our talented ‘Rookie Reporters’, Salma & Abdul. You can make twice the impact by donating to our appeal now.

Difficult conversations about the important issues of elephant conservation were made a whole lot easier for St Jude’s ‘Tembo club’ recently, when elephants strayed into the school campus.

“We have a situation, there are some visitors at the school grounds, they’re elephants!”

These are the words the Head Guard of Smith Secondary Campus, Joseph, never thought he would relay to school management, but this year students and staff didn’t have to go on safari to get close to the majestic animals.

The herd had in fact entered the school through a gap in the boundary wall that had succumbed to last year’s heavy rains. The temporary wire fence put in its place while repairs are underway proved an easily conquerable obstacle to these determined, yet gentle, giants.

“I first heard the sound of elephants, or tembos as we call them in Swahili, trumpeting and went to investigate. They were peacefully moving through the campus, causing no damage. It seemed they were trying to get back to the nearby Arusha National Park,” Guard Joseph explained, his surprise evident.

Members of the St Jude’s Tembo Club, advocates for the conservation of the elephant and rhino, were among the curious crowd of spectators and played an important role in keeping students calm, while observing the endangered species.

“I was brushing my shoes ready for Sunday mass, and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me! There is no way I am seeing elephants on campus I thought. Tembo Club members helped keep students at a safe distance and were able to answer questions because of what we have learnt through our involvement with the club,” Form 6 student and Tembo Club member, Kevin, recalled.

With the help of park rangers and nearby residents, the elephants were herded from campus and safely arrived in the National Park two days later.

From that day the unexpected visitors have sent the St Jude’s Tembo Club into the spotlight. 30 committed students, ranging from Form 2 to Form 6 have been hard at work raising awareness about the animals that sadly face extinction as targets of ivory poachers.

“I have a passion to volunteer and make society aware of these animals. Elephants have many advantages, they are a tourist attraction and that leads to employment and being proud of our country. Many elephants are wrongly killed as many people are in search of their tusks,” Tembo Club member, Nasra, shared.

Now, thanks to the continued support of American Friends of St Jude’s and contributions from the Elephant Cooperation, the Tembo Club is set to have its biggest year yet.

With guidance from teachers with a background in animal science and biodiversity, club members have an opportunity to learn about the animals as well as the complicated relationship that has evolved living in such close proximity to people.

“We were able to follow up on the elephants in this area and their habits and found that years back there were elephants who roamed the area we now call Smith Secondary Campus. Elephants are smart animals so we think these were actually tracing their ancestor’s routes,” Tembo Club teacher John clarified.

The roots of the club have even branched out to the community. Catherine and Christina, St Jude’s graduates now in their Community Service Year with the Beyond St Jude’s program, held a Tembo Club meeting at a local government school which more than 40 students attended.

“Some people think that conducting the ivory black market is a good thing because they can get furniture. It’s a disappointment that these views are still held even today. Poaching means we destroy natural resources that are beneficial to us. The elephants’ visit to Smith Secondary Campus has only reinforced the importance of Tembo Club to the community,” former Tembo Club President, Christina shared.

Meaning while the tembos may have left our secondary campus, the message of their conservation is travelling with them outside the school gates, helped along by a group of impassioned St Jude’s students, known as the Tembo Club.

Help our students explore their passions in extracurricular clubs by donating today.