Earlier this month, The School of St Jude shone in hues of gold, blue, white and red as 121 proud alumni tertiary graduates tossed their caps high into the air during the 2025 Beyond St Jude’s Recognition Ceremony.
The annual event recognises alumni who have completed diploma or degree programs at higher learning institutions across Tanzania and beyond, marking the transition from student to professional for dozens of young changemakers.
Established in 2022, the Beyond St Jude’s Recognition Ceremony has become a key part of the school’s calendar, giving tertiary graduates the chance to return to St Jude’s and celebrate, with their family and friends, in the place where it all began.
This year’s ceremony was the biggest yet, bringing together 121 alumni, including 10 new medical doctors.
Student speaker, Alfred, who is graduating as a medical doctor, expressed his gratitude to those who made the journey possible, from Founding Director Gemma Sisia to parents and guardians, sponsors, donors and academic teams.
“We are gathered not only as graduates of universities across Tanzania and beyond, but as proud sons and daughters of The School of St Jude, where our journey began and where our hearts will always return. We are proud to say that St Jude’s alumni are now in every corner of Tanzania where change is needed. We are proof that education, when wrapped in love and service, can break the cycle of poverty,” he says.
Guest of Honour, Prudence Masako, Country Director for CARE International in Tanzania, inspired graduates to remain lifelong learners and agents of change.
“Be life-long learners, the world is changing fast. Don’t let your degree be the end of your learning; let it be the beginning. Read widely, ask questions, seek mentors and never, never stop growing. Success is measured not by what you earn but by the differences you make. Serve your family, your community and your country. Tanzania needs your leadership, your innovation and your courage,” she says.
Mussa, Beyond St Jude’s Scholarship Program and Career Development Programs Manager, echoed this message, reminding graduates to hold onto the school’s core values: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Kindness.
“You have walked a long journey to reach this day. You have faced challenges, made sacrifices and pushed through moments of doubt. Yet, here you are: strong, prepared and ready for the next chapter of your lives. At The School of St Jude, we do not just measure success in certificates, but in the leaders, problem-solvers and changemakers we send out into the world. You are now ambassadors of this great institution. Tanzania, and the wider world, needs your brilliance, compassion and determination. Go, and make us all proud,” he says.
Georgie is our Assistant Team Lead Communication and Content and she is super excited to share a new fundraising challenge that means you can visit St Jude’s and summit Kilimanjaro with a supportive group - all while raising valuable funds for the school!
Q: Can you tell us about this fundraising challenge, when is it and what is involved?
Absolutely! This exciting fundraising challenge is called St Jude’s Kili Tek and is planned for July 2026. The itinerary offers a unique blend of adventure and purpose. You’ll spend 5 days and 4 nights visiting The School of St Jude, immersing yourself in the school community. Then, you’ll embark on a thrilling 7-night trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. For those wanting to extend their experience, there’s an option to add a safari after the climb. It’s a wonderful chance to explore Tanzania, push your limits and raise much-needed funds to support the school’s mission.
Q: Who have we partnered with and why?
We’ve teamed up with Inspired Adventures, a well-respected Australian organisation known for running sustainable challenge events worldwide. They’ve supported hundreds of charities by managing recruitment, logistics, and fundraising. Plus, their founder, Justine Curtis, has personally visited St Jude’s, making this partnership even more meaningful.
Q: Why should people register?
This challenge is perfect for anyone wanting to challenge themself. By joining, you’ll not only experience incredible moments like summiting Kilimanjaro and visiting St Jude’s but you’ll also fundraise for the school.
Q: What kind of fundraising is required?
Everyone is encouraged to raise $3,750 for the school. But, don’t worry! Inspired Adventures offers full support with branded materials and guidance to help everyone hit their fundraising targets and make their challenge a success.
Q: How can people register?
Registration is super easy! Just visit School of St Jude - Kilimanjaro 2026 | Inspired Adventures to sign up, get all the details and start your fundraising journey.
Q: Summiting Kilimanjaro is certainly a challenge, how fit do people need to be to participate?
While no prior trekking experience is required, the challenge involves several consecutive days of walking at high altitudes. The climb is more like a long, steep walk rather than technical mountain climbing, but proper training and the right equipment are essential. The fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. You’ll be fully supported throughout the journey by experienced guides, a doctor, and your team, with frequent breaks and the freedom to move at your own pace. If you’re still unsure, you can check out the guidelines on the website.
Q: A little bird has whispered you might be taking part. Is this true?
Yes, it’s true! I’m really excited to be taking part in this challenge. Working here means I see the impact of St Jude’s every single day, which is incredibly inspiring. From hearing the students laughing as they get off the bus in the morning, to sharing the stories of our amazing alumni and their achievements in the community, I’m constantly seeing the school’s purpose and mission in action. Being able to support it in this way makes the experience even more meaningful. And I’d love for others to join me on this journey! If you’re feeling inspired to take on a challenge and be part of something special, sign up now … what are you waiting for?
Future doctors, engineers, nurses and entrepreneurs. These were just some of the aspirations echoing around Smith Campus this month as students, sponsors and invited guests came together for one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar: the 11th Form 6 Graduation.
The graduation marks a key milestone in the Tanzanian education system, which is divided into three main stages: seven years of primary school (Standard 1 to 7), four years of secondary school at the Ordinary Level (Forms 1 to 4), and two years of Advanced Level secondary education (Forms 5 and 6).
The School of St Jude hosts three graduation ceremonies annually, corresponding to these three main levels, along with a special celebration for alumni completing tertiary education.
This year, 166 students proudly crossed the stage, bringing the total number of Form 6 graduates to 1,500+ since the first class in 2015.
Attendees enjoyed vibrant cultural performances by current students, tributes to dedicated staff members and reflections on the achievements of the Class of 2025.
A special highlight of the ceremony was a joint address by Angela Bailey, who was St Jude’s first volunteer teacher when the school opened in 2002, and her father, John Bailey, a long-time supporter, current board member and the school’s legal counsel since 1997. He sponsored the scholarship of one of this year’s graduating class.
“Life can take you to places you never imagined existed. To our sponsors and donors, we cannot say how much your support has helped us achieve our ambitions. We are grateful,” says Nickson, Form 6 graduate, in his farewell speech on graduation day.
“Our teachers, thank you for all the endless effort that you made towards our performance. Our parents, you have always been our pillars of strength. Thank you for seeing the light that sparkled in us.”
The Class of 2025 had much to be proud of, excelling in various extracurricular activities, particularly debate and public speaking.
Notably, graduate Mwajabu Hoya earned national recognition after winning gold and being named Tanzania’s best public speaker at the National Debate Championships. The school’s debate team also celebrated a major win, earning the title of Best Debate Team in East Africa in 2024.
In another milestone, the Class of 2025 became the first in St Jude’s history to receive personal laptops earlier this year, a significant step in supporting their future academic and professional pursuits.
The next stage for graduates is pursuing higher education at various universities and colleges. Many choose to apply to the Beyond St Jude’s Scholarship Program (BSJSP), which supports graduates with tertiary education.
As part of this program, they will undertake community service placements for a year, volunteering as teachers in understaffed government schools, or at various placements throughout St Jude's. Then they go on to access higher education supported by St Jude’s sponsors and donors.
Through the holistic education offered at St Jude’s, the Class of 2025 has been able to reimagine a future filled with endless possibilities – for themselves, their communities and their country.
It’s no secret that the Annual Science Day has become a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, and this year’s event was no exception! Now in its 15th year, the day brought together students to present both individual and group projects that not only highlighted their expertise in science, ICT, and maths, but also provided creative solutions to some of today’s most pressing global challenges.
With nearly half the student body participating, many focused on pioneering renewable energy solutions like solar power and biogas, pushing us closer to a sustainable future.
Take a closer look at the remarkable projects from this year’s Science Day and see how these young innovators are shaping the world of tomorrow.
In Tanzania, access to education has traditionally favoured boys. Unlike their female counterparts, boys would get preference for school enrolment, be excused from domestic chores at home, and consequently have improved chances of success later in life. While the narrative is shifting slowly, St Jude's is at the forefront of ensuring equal access to education for all, regardless of gender.
Over the last 23 years of St Jude's, there have been important milestones and numbers that reflect the commitment to equal access to education. Here are some of them:
Every year, St Jude’s conducts health checks for its 1,800 students across three campuses to identify any health concerns, monitor existing conditions, and tailor support for those with specific needs. This year’s Health Check team included some familiar faces, with three St Jude’s alumni returning to give back to the very place where their journeys began.
For Nadia, Class of 2019, coming back was a full-circle moment. “It feels special to come back and contribute to the same process that helped me so much,” she says. “I remember the medical professionals from my own health checks when I was a student, and thinking ‘I’d love to do that one day!”
Nadia joined St Jude’s as a Standard 1 student in 2007 and is now in her fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which consists of a year doing practical internship at Mount Meru Hospital, not far from St Jude’s Sisia Campus. Despite her demanding schedule, Nadia sought special permission to take two weeks of leave from her program to participate in the health checks, knowing it was an opportunity she couldn’t let pass by.
“My internship year is supposed to be uninterrupted, but I was fortunate the hospital team was very supportive and granted me the leave so I could be here,” notes Nadia, who says her passion for pursuing a career in healthcare was forged during her time at St Jude’s.
“I’ve always dreamed of returning to give back, and it’s everything I hoped it would be. I’ve seen students who were in Form 1 when I was in Form 6 who said, ‘Oh Nadia, look at you now!’ and I told them, ‘Everything is possible. You just have to believe in it,’ she says.
Returning alongside Nadia was Erneus, Class of 2020, who vividly recalls his first health check after joining St Jude’s in 2018 as a Form 5 student. “I was so happy as I had never had a check-up like that before. We were advised on how to improve our health, and it was crucial for me. It’s very fulfilling to now be a part of something that helped me in the past.”
After graduating with a degree in Biotechnology and Public Health in 2024, Erneus felt there was no better way to kickstart his career than applying his skills at the place that helped shape his future.
“It’s my first time volunteering in the Health Check team, and I’m learning a lot. It is so rewarding to see the students’ reactions and learn from an international cohort of experts,” says Erneus.
“I have been working in the vision team, helping assess students’ eyesight to identify any issues that could affect their learning ability. If not detected, these issues can grow and start to impact a student’s education, which is why the health checks are so important,” he says.
Like Erneus and Nadia, Winniefreda, from the Class of 2019, also volunteered in the vision team this year. She describes her return to St Jude’s as a homecoming. “I spent so much of my life here,” she says. “Being back feels like coming home. St Jude’s is where I learned and grew, and now I’m able to return the care that I once received.”
In 2023, Winniefreda completed her Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery. She now works at a hospital in Arusha and doubles as a private nurse, providing home care as part of the government’s clinical nursing program.
“It’s incredible to see how much the school has grown. What excites me is knowing that we’re helping students who could very well be the next generation of health professionals. Some of the students we helped this year could be in our position in the future. That’s the power of St Jude’s. It always comes back around,” she says.
Nadia, Winniefreda, and Erneus are prime examples of how a St Jude’s education creates a ripple effect, coming full circle to give back to their communities and inspire future generations.
