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!

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.

Bursting with pride and tears welling in his eyes, graduate Evance describes what finishing secondary school means to him and his family. 

“We have always dreamed about this day and now it’s actually happening. I’ve shouted out loud but also cried. We feel like WOW! There is now a way, there is hope.” 

It’s a milestone that the 20-year-old doubted he would reach a decade ago while living in a two-room mud and stick home in Unga Limited, an extremely poor and densely populated area close to central Arusha. Like many Tanzanian dwellings, Evance’s home had no plumbing; water is collected from a tap for a small per-bucket fee and meals for his family of seven were prepared over a simple kerosene-fueled stove.

“My life before St Jude’s was tough, it certainly wasn’t the way it is right now. I will never forget the day I sat the entrance tests. I was with my mum who was unwell but she still gave me the chance by coming with me. I still remember when I told my mum I had been accepted, we couldn’t believe it and then we celebrated. She said I don’t believe my son actually has a bright future,” Evance beams. The last decade of Evance’s schooling at The School of St Jude has all led to this point. He was determined not to be part of the two thirds of Tanzanian teenagers who are not in secondary school each year.

“It wasn’t until I met students from different government schools at a leadership workshop that I really realised St Jude’s has taught me to be bigger than I thought. People in the community respect and value St Jude’s students. It’s hard to find the words to thank my sponsor, it’s not easy to give to someone you don’t know. The most important thing I have gained from St Jude’s is the ability to see that you can help others,” Evance adds.
 The bright graduate will first give back to his community as part of the Beyond St Jude’s Community Service Year before the school supports his plans to study graphic design at university.

“I have chosen to do teaching at an under-resourced government school, as I wanted to stretch my hand somewhere else and I want to help people beyond my family. I am full of plans and big dreams,” Evance says, looking out over the Smith Secondary Campus which has been his second home for the last six years.

Joining Evance in sharing his St Jude’s quality education with less fortunate Tanzanians is fellow graduate, Zulfa.

“I studied at a government school before St Jude’s with a lot of kids in one class, with not enough text books and sometimes we didn’t have a teacher for a month. I want to change that so I have chosen to intern as a government school teacher with Beyond St Jude’s. I only have one mission, to leave my community better than I found it,” Zulfa smiles.

The 19-year-old who was raised by her grandma in Mwanama, a poor and semi-rural area not far from Arusha city, also wants to use her education to break down the barriers of gender inequality in her country.

“It is a great honor to be a girl who has been supported through her education and without being another mouth to feed in her family. Many of the girls my age are already wives and already have big families, but I am proud leaving St Jude’s being an independent woman,” Zulfa explains.

With plans to study Development Studies or International Relations and dreams to work for an international humanitarian organisation, Zulfa has these stirring words to share as she takes her first steps towards her bright future.

“I am one of the blessed ones. St Jude’s has taught me to receive freely and give freely. I leave with 169 new friends and as part of the biggest class to be graduating Form 6 in St Jude’s history, I know our class can certainly better our country.”

Evance adds a pledge he will live by long after he walks out of the St Jude’s gates for the last time as a student.

“If I were to tell Mama Gemma and our supporters one thing, I would say, I am really grateful. I want them to know that I won’t let them down and will make sure that what I have gained from St Jude’s, I will invest to change the community around me.”

Can you see the change in Evance’s & Lina’s lives? Help other students like them to reach this important milestone. Sponsor an academic scholarship during our 2019 Annual Appeal.

“Hold on, take a moment to celebrate. There is music in the wind, let’s dance one more time. There’s a rhythm deep within, let’s dance one more time. One more time, sing a song, we will remember.”

These were the stirring lyrics that rang out across the Smith Secondary Assembly Hall on May 25th as the Class of 2019 raised their voices in perfect unison, the joy palpable in the air. Proudly singing their farewell song to the people that helped them reach a milestone unattainable for many young people in Tanzania – graduating from secondary school – they sang their gratitude for what had been and hope for what was yet to come.

Special guests, sponsors and donors from Australia, the UK and the United States, parents, St Jude’s staff and students packed out the hall to see the school’s fifth Form 6 year group walk across the stage to receive their leaving certificates.

St Jude’s Founding Director, Gemma Sisia, honoured not only the students but the whole St Jude’s community who have worked together tirelessly to create long-lasting change for the students throughout their 13 years of education.

“It is a wonderful celebration today, it’s our largest Form 6 cohort so congratulations to all 169 of you. You have a future of opportunity stretching out in front of you. However, you wouldn’t have reached where you are without a lot of people behind you doing a lot to help you on your way.”

“You wouldn’t be in this hall if it wasn’t for the Smith family, we wouldn’t have a school if we didn’t have a School Board - Mama Maeda has never missed a board meeting, our Parent Committee who help bridge the gap between home and school and, of course, we are very humbled by the contribution of our sponsors and donors,” Gemma said from the heart.

She also recognised all of the staff, without whose contribution the school would not run. Managers were gifted the sought-after Tanzanian delicacy of a chicken and our hardworking Secondary Headmaster, Mr Mcharo, was gifted a cow! He has plans to share his gift with the whole school.

Primary students and the award-winning Ngoma dance club added vibrant musical items to the program and Mr Tsingay ensured the proceedings ran smoothly taking the role of Master of Ceremonies.

A highlight of the day was a passionate address from graduates Rahim and Zulfa, who reflected on the achievements of their year level and the challenges ahead of them.

“We would like to show our sincere appreciation to our beloved Mama, Gemma Sisia, for her hard work and kind-hearted spirit. You have supported our education by working with donors and sponsors for so many years! Many of the sponsors and donors have crossed oceans to witness our graduation today and your work has made us stronger people.” Rahim insisted.

The audience also heard from sponsor, Jenny Fitzpatrick, who spoke to the graduates on behalf of all of the school’s sponsors and donors, particularly all that had travelled long distances to be part of the day. 

“The graduation program is a wonderful experience and a wonderful chance to get to know our students. We would like to thank your families who have welcomed us into your homes and into your hearts. You are the future, enjoy your celebrations,” Jenny beamed. 

Before drawing the ceremony to a close, Mr Mcharo asked students to remember one important thing from their time in the classroom, “mathematics teaches us one important thing, every problem has a solution”. Our graduates are now equipped with the tools to be a solver of problems; a receiver of opportunities and a beacon of inspiration.

It’s all thanks to the combined effort of thousands of people worldwide, who see the change that is possible for our students. Celebrating 169 of our Form 6 students graduate demonstrates exactly how St Jude’s is fulfilling its mission of ‘fighting poverty through education’.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019, we are all so proud of you.

Give more bright, poor students the gift of graduation by sponsoring their academic scholarship today as part of our 2019 Annual Appeal.

A buzz filled the Smith Campus assembly hall as more than 50 supporters from Australian enterprise software company TechnologyOne helped steer 100 Form 5 students on the right career path.

Every St Jude’s student involved soaked up the opportunity to learn how they can make the most of their high-quality education, engaging in ‘speed careering’ with the talented international visitors. 

“Students asked lots of questions about what we studied and how we got to where we are. I hope I imparted on them that within every industry there are many different opportunities. You don’t have to stick to the same job. University gives you endless opportunities and pathways. I see a very bright future for these students,” TechnologyOne’s, Ben Malpass, beamed during the sessions.

The visitors, who are at the peak of their professions, also offered advice on CV writing and interviewing techniques, a part of the career guidance curriculum.

“It’s a priority for the school for students to be job ready. Speaking with professionals helps open the eyes of our students to all the possibilities within each course of study. Students start selecting their education path from Form 2 so they need guidance quite early. They might be the best students at advanced mathematics but they may not know how to have a conversation with someone during an interview or have critical thinking. Having extra lessons and professional talks in place is fantastic; students are becoming more engaged,” St Jude’s, Deputy Director, Angela Bailey, expressed.

Those extra regular career guidance classes are now possible after the appointment of full time Career Guidance Coordinator, Mr Elibariki, this month.

“Career guidance is growing at the school. Before coming here, I worked at a college so I am able to give students a real insight into what to expect in higher education and help them make informed choices. We use different theories to work out each student’s strengths and what career would suit them. We are doing job market research so we can tell our students the thriving and growing industries they can enter into,” Mr Elbariki explained.

One of more than 1,000 secondary students to benefit from the extra expertise is Form 6 Graduate, Ojungo, who admits that before St Jude’s his life was already mapped out for him.

Despite loving science from an early age, like many Tanzanian children, his only career opportunities were presented by his parents who struggled to support the family themselves. Life was tough, living in a mud hut home without electricity and water supply. Ojungo recalls an endless cycle of wanting to “break out”.

Fast-forward a decade and ten years of St Jude’s high-quality, free education and things look very different. Ojungo credits the career advice outside the traditional classroom, as well as what he learnt in it, to his success.

“Thanks to the career guidance team, I have decided to study Biochemistry at University. The staff helped me identify my strengths and I want to do research into different chemicals that help the world at large. Most Tanzanian students don’t have a chance to ask someone for career advice and if I didn’t have that, I could have selected the wrong areas to study and found it difficult to get employed,” Ojungo reflected.

Showing how the future scientist can now see the possibilities that come from achieving his full potential, one career guidance lesson at a time!  Help us continue to offer our students the support and advice they need to navigate their path to become professionals, donate to our Career Guidance program for our 2019 Annual Appeal.