“Good afternoon, Mr Kephas!” sing 25 seven-year-old students as one. They are sitting in the shape of a horseshoe, their feet dangling from wooden benches, not quite touching the ground.

Mr Khepas breezes into the classroom, laughing, his arms spread wide. He is wearing a suit, with a light blue shirt and polished shoes. This is an unusual outfit for an art teacher.

“People wearing suits are usually lawyers or accountants,” he says. “But as an artist, you can wear a suit.”

Surrounding him is his Standard 2 class for the afternoon.

“What will we be doing today?” asks Mr Kephas, holding up a piece of paper with an outline of a shirt sketched onto it, as a clue.

The students rush to answer, eager to impress the popular Mr Kephas.

“Printing!”

“Pressing!”

“Stamping!”

“Yes!” says Mr Kephas triumphantly. “What do we say for great responses?”

“You are a superstar! You are a superstar!” the class say in unison to the students who gave the correct answers.

From a young age, Mr Kephas knew he wanted to be a teacher. At the age of fifteen, he began running classes for his cousins and neighbours out of his home in Mianzini, teaching not just art, but also science and mathematics.

He has now been working at St Jude’s for seven years, having first heard about the school from one of his friends.

“I come from a poor background,” Mr Kephas shares. “So when I discovered that St Jude’s provides a free education for poor children, I knew this was a great thing.”

When Mr Kephas was a boy he would sit on the ground, using sticks to draw in the dirt, boxes to make cars, and discarded plastic bottles to build models of houses. Occasionally his mother would find paper for him to draw on.

“I express my feelings and my ideas through art,” he says.

This is an idea Mr Kephas aims to extend to his students, by providing a sense of belonging in the classroom.

“What they do is what I display in the art room,” he says. “It’s not what I do. It will help them feel that this is the place where they belong.”

The art room is an explosion of colour. Lining the walls are depictions of lions, elephants and rhinoceros; hanging from the ceiling are whacky designs of handbags. At the front, on the blackboard, it reads “WELCOME!” written in bright, pink chalk.

Mr Kephas distributes the paint, and hands out the stamps with carved images of echidnas, platypuses, koalas, and boomerangs, adding some Australiana to the typical Tanzanian selection.

In the corner sits a boy named Brayan. He is particularly eager and the first to begin, breathlessly covering his paper with stamps of echidnas.

Seated next to Brayan is Magreth who has covered her paper with possums. When Magreth grows up she wants to be a teacher just like Mr Kephas. “He always makes me laugh, and I learn a lot,” she says.

Opposite Brayan and Magreth, is Isaya who is methodically working away. Isaya likes to entertain his peers by standing at the front of the class and telling them stories. Despite his storytelling skills, he aspires to be a doctor one day, “I want to help everyone!” he declares.

“Okay,” says Mr Kephas, raising his voice above the thud, thud, thud of the stamping. “Time to hold up your work!”

The children surround Mr Kephas, proudly showing off their artwork, laughing and vying for his attention.

“Today, I am impressed with all of you,” he says. “You will all get stickers. How many do you want – three?”

“Four!” cry the students. “We want four!”

Mr Kephas throws his head back, and laughs.

Without passionate, committed teachers, our students wouldn’t get the holistic, quality education they need to become the future teachers and doctors they dream of being. Your donations make this possible, donate today.

Over the past 17 years, word that St Jude’s is creating the future leaders of Tanzania through a free, quality education has spread far and wide. 

It even reached the tiny office of the Headmaster of Masabeda Secondary School, an under-resourced government school in a remote area of the Manyara region. 

Mr Sherwia has been the only secondary school Headmaster in a village, where most families live on less that AU$2.5 a day, for more than a decade and was so impressed with St Jude’s that he became determined to do everything he could to help his students sit the St Jude’s entrance examinations.

Aware that most of his cleverest students’ families were unable to help their children make the long journey to the St Jude’s Selection Day, the big-hearted Headmaster decided to step-in with a touching selfless act. Taking it upon himself, he organised for a bus to take his students all the way from Manyara to Arusha, a journey that takes over five hours.

“I knew these students could really succeed if they were given more opportunities. Unfortunately, we cannot provide what St Jude’s do and these students have the talents to make the most of the quality education St Jude’s offers. The school should be very proud of what they do and the resources. St Jude’s actually have enough teachers for each subject and a library filled with books, which means everything to the families in my community who cannot afford the bare basics,” Mr Sherwia explained while visiting St Jude’s Secondary Campus.

His assistance has certainly paid off. At the start of the school term, Mr Sherwia travelled from the village with three of his former students so he was there to witness their first day at St Jude’s after they were selected to join the new Form 5 cohort last month. 

Among the trio is aspiring doctor Editha, who beamed with pride wearing her crisp, brand new uniform.

“I feel very smart and I am already feeling at home in the boarding house. I can see why Mr Sherwia encouraged us to strive to get here. He held tests for students that helped us to do well. I would really love to thank him for the support he has given us all along because he has impacted our lives and now we are sure that we are in a good position and heading to achieving our dreams,” Editha smiled.

Spending her first night in the St Jude’s boarding house was also a highlight for fellow new Form 5 student, Pendaeli, who previously slept on a cow skin on the floor of her mud-hut home.

“My family have always wished so much for me, now that is finally coming true. I am already making friends in the boarding house and I hope to learn new things about myself. Not having to walk an hour to school and having a comfortable place to sleep will give me more time and energy to study,” Pendaeli said quietly.

The new students will also have the support of Form 6 student, Febronia who was selected last year as the first student from Masabeda Secondary School.

“I love being able to use a computer and having a quiet place to study. I have enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities and I am so happy more students from my area can now have that too. It all started with Mr Sherwia,” Febronia reflected.

The 20-year-old has improved her marks by 30% since joining St Jude’s a year ago.

“I have noticed many improvements in Febronia since she joined St Jude’s, she has more confidence and can express herself well,” Mr Sherwia added, having caught up with Febronia on his recent visit.

Mr Sherwia hopes that Febronia, Editha, Pendali and Jeniva are just the start of many more students to successfully secure a St Jude’s academic scholarship. He is determined to continue to provide assistance in whatever way he can so that more students from his rural community have the opportunity to become future leaders.

“I am so proud of the students that have been selected and I can rest easy that they will be looked after by the St Jude’s community. I hope more students will be selected in years to come as I think St Jude’s represents a good turning point for Tanzania’s education sector,” Mr Sherwin smiled.

You can help these new Form 5 students, including those from Masabeda Secondary School, whose academic scholarships are currently unsponsored. Sign up to sponsor today!

Among the steady hum of sewing machines, a group of hardworking tailors are busy making the thousands of uniforms needed to clothe The School of St Jude students each year.

The uniform is an important part of starting school life at St Jude’s and receiving it is often when it truly becomes a reality for new students that they’re about to begin their journey with a nation-leading school. 

Seeing the new students wearing her work is the highlight for tailor Miriam. Being employed by St Jude’s has meant she can afford for her daughter to continue her schooling, something Miriam sees as a necessity in a country where girls’ education is not prioritised. 

“My daughter has reached Form 3 and I am happy that I can support her as she goes onto higher levels of education and have the opportunity to achieve the career she wants,” Miriam shared, while industrially sewing her way through the 40 rolls of fabric needed for St Jude’s secondary students’ school uniforms. 

As a working mum, Miriam is passionate about having more educated mums in Tanzania.

“Families can improve their situation if women have the skills and education to have greater independence and earn more money,” Miriam explained.

With this belief, Miriam is excited to be given a new workload, making more uniforms than ever for the new secondary school for girls set to open in January next year. The reconfiguring of current facilities will mean that in future years even more graduates will be donning the school colours.

“We are happy to have the extra work as it means more students are getting an opportunity to enjoy this free education. We might even need some more tailors, which means more secure jobs for the community,” Miriam smiled.

Having a secure job has also had a hugely positive impact on tailor, Daudi, who has worked at the school for seven years.

“I have been able to build a house for my children, put them through school and buy them textbooks. Their uniforms aren’t as good as my work though,” Daudi joked.

Daudi and the team have been carefully piecing together over 5,500 uniforms each year, which includes boarding, school and PE uniforms for new students and replacement uniforms as current students get older. 

“Yes it’s a big job but we have great morale in our team. I look forward to coming to work each day and I love hearing about the students that have worn our uniforms for years finally graduating and going on to higher education,” Daudi smiled, looking over at his fellow tailors.

As the students and school continue to grow, each uniform continues to be made in-house, reminding every student that their free, quality education is due to the generosity of St Jude’s international family of supporters. 

Our school uniforms instil pride and fellowship in our students. Donate today to help keep our students in uniform and our tailors in thread.  

US President Harry S. Truman famously once said, “not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” As St Jude’s Standard 1s learn to read and explore their first stories, they are taking their first steps towards leadership.

The literacy rate of Tanzania is reported by IndexMundi at less than 70%. Reading is not just a basic skill needed for everyday life but is also an avenue to develop critical thinking, imagination and even ambition.

While the wonder of leafing through a book remains an all-too rare experience for some students in Tanzania, St Jude’s students are given every opportunity to expand their imaginations and skills. They can feel the warm glow of having a book and a space that is wholly theirs, and into which they can escape.

Standard 1 student, Agape, smiles when she remembers the first time she saw the rows of books that line the walls of the library at Sisia Primary Campus at the start of the year.

The first book that caught her eye was Bilby Moon by Margaret Spurling, where little Bilby's quest for the missing moon takes her on a journey of wonder and discovery.

“I like to learn about animals and reading helps me learn new words. I can’t wait to move up to the bigger books. It’s so quiet in the library, it’s really nice for reading,” Agape shared quietly, looking up from her book. 

Her classmate, Shedrack, was engrossed in an early learner maths book, X Marks the Spot, by Lucille Recht Penner which he chose on his first visit to the library this year.

In the book, Shedrack followed characters Jake and Leo who reluctantly move into their grandfather's old house where they receive a mysterious postcard about treasure maps in the attic. Books like this give students a chance to learn some beginner mathematics while also enjoying a treasure hunt story!

These entry level books are just two of the many that fill the libraries at both the primary and secondary campuses. To maximise the potential of these valuable assets, the library collections have been reviewed to determine which areas need most development. 

Importantly, the school is also installing a new web-based library management system. Visiting librarian, Judy Gillespie, is assisting the staff with this major transition.

“The new system offers a more flexible and tailored method of finding suitable books for all students. By improving the cataloguing of books and allowing greater search options, the librarians can help students like Agape and Shedrack find the books that interest them and suit their reading level.”

It is generous supporters who have helped build our libraries over the years, bringing donated books with them from all across the world. Now, our team of librarians say the greatest need is for higher level non-fiction books, to help students access the latest information for their studies and explore other interests having established a love for reading in their early years. 

“St Jude’s has some amazing books however, it needs more subject books to meet the local curriculum, particularly in the secondary school. Expanding the collection of African fiction is a priority too because it’s important for the students to read books that reflect their culture and experience. With the new system, the librarians can also explore the possibility of students accessing ebooks, meaning more students can read the same book at the same time and have the most up-to-date information.” Judy explained.

While the library is one of the quietest places on campus, it is within these walls that students develop their ideas and aspirations. If education is to lift our students out of poverty, it means they need to imagine another world and have the skills to excel in it, and that starts with reading their first book and the many that follow.  Thanks to those who help give the gift of literacy to the 1,800 students here, they are on the way to becoming the future leaders of tomorrow.

Help us broaden students’ imaginations and skills by donating today, so our library staff can purchase the books that are most needed.

St Jude’s staff and students paused with the rest of the nation as the Tanzanian soccer team competed in their first international competition in 39 years!

The ‘Taifa Stars’ thumped East African rivals Uganda 3-0 to reach the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals held this month, an achievement so significant the country’s Prime Minister gifted each of the national team players a parcel of land as a token for qualifying for the competition held in Egypt.

As Tanzania began to play on the international stage, fans were on the edge of their seats and ‘football’ was the word at St Jude’s.

For St Jude’s Physical Education teacher and secondary soccer coach, Mr Amasi, the school’s extracurricular program, which includes soccer, is about helping students kick goals inside the classroom too.

“We have found that physical exercise improves academic performance inside the classroom. Soccer helps improve reaction time and confidence. Through playing a team sport like soccer, students learn how to work together and communicate in other ways of their life as well.” Mr Amasi shared.

Since Tanzania’s appearance in AFCON, Mr Amasi has noticed a boost in player numbers for both girls and boys.

“Our students were very inspired by the competition and I think the team’s efforts have really created national pride. We certainly have players who could make it on the international circuit and many in the emerging area of women’s soccer,” he proudly explained.

One of the young women taking part in this movement is Form 2 student, Mariam, who has played soccer since the age of 10.

“I love soccer as it empowers us, the skills are useful when we go back into our communities and helps keep Tanzanian teenagers away from gangs, theft and the drug culture. I proudly watched our team in AFCON and we should be proud as the international movement will only grow from here,” Mariam reflected.

Yohana, Form 2 student and star wingman for the Smith secondary team, was watching the competition closely with dreams to enter the professional sporting arena.

“After completing university I want to play for my country, I base my game on Mbwana Ally Samatta who was the captain of the Tanzanian team for this tournament and he plays on the international team for Belgium,” Yohana said as he made his way out to the playing field for training after school.

“Playing soccer helps keep my mind active in class and helps me deal with stress. We have a lot of talented players in St Jude’s, I certainly think we have the next big player at our school,” Yohana smiled.

The school’s recent results confirm this, with St Jude’s students making up a third of this year’s National Junior team which represented Tanzania last month. Impressively, the school was also the Under 15’s champions in both the regional girls and boy’s divisions last year.

While the ‘Taifa Stars’ failed to make it to the second round of the tournament, their three goals against rival Kenya gave hope to the nation looking for something to believe in.

“I hope the team’s success will encourage our country’s decision makers to invest more in sport. If they do, there will be a time when Tanzania will be in a good position, just like Senegal who beat us and then went on to the final,” Miriam stated.

Watch this space, the next generation of soccer stars could well come from St Jude’s, leading their country to victory! And if not, well they’re certainly well placed to succeed in whatever profession they choose.

Thanks to the generosity of our school’s supporters, students will continue to shoot for the stars in all kinds of fields. You can help expand their opportunities by making a donation.

Wearing his crisp, brand new uniform, Form 5 student William flashes a radiant smile as he admires the facilities at his new school. It’s his first day at St Jude’s, where he will spend the next two years completing secondary school, an achievement that less than one in three Tanzanian teenagers will achieve this year. “I can’t believe the resources and the library! The school that I came from is very different from this one, we had no library and very few teachers,” the charismatic teenager reflected.

William is one of 30 new Form 5 students who have been chosen in a rigorous selection process run by St Jude’s Community Relations team.

The newly selected students have been identified as the brightest, but poorest, students from under-resourced government schools in three regions of Northern Tanzania - Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Manyara.

It’s difficult to comprehend the enormity of these successful students’ achievement to have made it this far in their education. Almost exclusively the first in their family to complete Form 4, they were the top scoring students in their local government school.

All this, despite the added pressures of long walks to and from school every day, fitting in homework around necessary household tasks like fetching water and having only candlelight or kerosene lamps by which to study by, they are breaking new ground.

“Life has been hard, in my community children are sent out to herd livestock and there is never time to study. I am looking forward to making my education a priority,” William reflected.

It’s also the first time William has a cosy bed of his own, hot water for bathing, three nutritious meals a day and electric lighting for studying, as part of staying in the Smith boarding house during school terms.

“In my Massai community I share a bed with all of my four siblings and access to water and electricity is hard. My parents did not go to school and, because of the hardships my family are facing, two of my younger siblings are not in school now because of the cost. I would like to use this opportunity to be a good example to my family and community and help them in the future,” William continued.

Despite the Smith Secondary Campus being a long way from home – it’s over three hours’ drive from William’s mud-hut boma in the Manyara region – he’s now closer than ever to reaching his dream.

“I see myself doing well in my final exams and getting into a good university. I would love to be a doctor as I don’t like seeing people suffering, so I want to help improve the medical services here in Tanzania,” William shared.

Joining him in that dream is fellow new student, Elizabeth, who wants to help lift her family out of a life of poverty by entering the medical field as well.

She is all too familiar with the challenges of everyday life at home for her family as they only have access to river water for drinking and are unable to pay for her sibling’s secondary school fees.

“I am going to study hard so I do not have to live the life that my parents are living at the moment. Their income cannot support our family so being selected to St Jude’s is my only opportunity to get an education and achieve my dreams. I am so excited,” Elizabeth beamed.

That excitement is evident during the induction sessions held during the first week of term which help each Form 5 student adapt to their new surroundings and the timetable of their new life.

“I think I will be very happy here. I am ready to start classes, grow my knowledge and I have even made friends on the first day,” Elizabeth said.

Both students are already joining in the large range of extracurricular activities offered to St Jude’s students like art, sport and even the school choir for William.

They are now presented with so many opportunities to achieve and become the future leaders of Tanzania, fighting poverty with their education.

“I never thought I would end up somewhere like St Jude’s, it’s hard to put into words what the school already means to me and my family,” Elizabeth shared quietly before entering her first science class.

You can help change the life of our new Form 5 students whose academic scholarships are yet to be sponsored. Sign up to sponsor today!