Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day is commemorated globally. It presents an opportunity for people to celebrate the contribution females make to society, to stand in solidarity with females in need, and to raise awareness of gender equality issues which inhibit the advancement of women.
The theme for this year’s celebration, declared by the United Nations, was ‘Press For Progress’. St Jude’s students and staff were more than willing to raise the roof with words of wisdom and empowering songs at the inaugural International Women’s Day assembly.
Curated by founding members of St Jude’s new Marketing Club, with the support of Ms Pendo, Assistant Deputy of School Values and Welfare at Smith Secondary Campus, students were encouraged to reflect on inspiring females in their own lives, without whom they could not become strong, moral and intellectual leaders.
Zulfa, a Form 5 student, opened the ceremony with a stirring speech entitled My Voice is my Strength.
“With my voice, I am able to spread the word of equality, justice and liberty. I can decrease the rate of poverty by speaking against violence. I can make those who feel low, stand and rise again. It takes a voice to bring back life in areas where oppression has dominated.”
Following Zulfa’s emotive declaration, Yasintha, also in Form 5, took to the podium with a recitation of her original poem, The Conqueror.
“…She rises above her pain, her sorrow, brushes down her worry, gets herself in check, always ready for tomorrow. She is a burning fire. No way is she going to be stifled, left to wither like a rose. They call her ‘Prey’, they call her ‘Nothing’…but I call her ‘The Conqueror’.”
The assembly concluded with a spontaneous eruption of solidarity. Students in Forms 1 and 5 entertained the crowd with songs written by African women. To conclude, they beckoned staff, students and visitors to the stage. More than a hundred people jumped to their feet and joined the choir, raising their voices in collective celebration.
Inspired by the unique event, Mr Emanuel, School Registrar at Smith Secondary Campus, offered an impromptu vote of thanks to students and staff involved with organising the assembly, and some food for thought.
“It is impossible to imagine a world without women. They bring life. To all students, I pose this challenge: what will you do to change this world for the better? How will you make it possible for all females to thrive?”
Form 5 student and Marketing Club President, Lina, quoting her role model, Marianne Williamson, had the perfect response.
“’Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond all measure…we ask ourselves, ‘who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world.’”
You can help our inspiring change-makers reach their highest potential by sponsoring a student today!
1. How long have you worked at The School of St Jude for?
I started working at St Jude’s in 2008. Here, teachers have access to the very best resources to improve students’ quality of learning. St Jude’s students are among the brightest in Arusha/ St Jude’s cannot be compared to any other school in Tanzania.
2. Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Teaching runs in my veins; I love learning from my students and helping them to grow into strong leaders with great potential to help their community.
3. Have you ever taught in a government school?
I taught in government schools for a few years after completing university. However, there were not enough resources to teach with, and there were dozens of students in each class. As one of 11 children in my family, and the only one to go to university, I needed to financially support members of my family, but found this extremely challenging while working in a government school.
4. Describe your experience as a school student in Tanzania…
I was raised in a very poor family. My stepfather was unable to support me in addition to the children he shared with my mother, so we received help from my uncle, who was a teacher in a government primary school. As a child, I attended the school he taught in, and later, through his support, I attended government secondary school. I took my education very seriously because I knew it would give me opportunities to improve my life.
5. Why do you think education is crucial in the fight against poverty?
With the education I have, I can help other poor children and am now able to support my own family members. I educated my younger siblings and taught them to speak English, which enabled my sister to work in a hospital as a cleaner. Between both of us, we are able to provide our family with financial support when necessary and assist with our parents’ healthcare needs.
6. Tell us about one of your most memorable and special moments as a teacher.
I always say that teaching is a learning experience in itself. A highlight of my time at St Jude’s was a school excursion to a swimming pool several years ago. At the time, we had international teacher mentors supporting Tanzanian teachers in class. My teacher mentor from Australia, Barbara, encouraged me to swim — I had never been in a swimming pool before! I was scared, but it is a moment I will never forget. One of the best in my life.
Another great honour was when Gemma Sisia and Kim Saville awarded me with a gift for never missing a working day in more than a whole year. I felt valued.
7. What do you hope for your students’ futures?
I always tell my students to try their best to reach their goals. Our students will become the leaders of tomorrow. This gift of a free, quality education is a stepping stone to their successful future. I am so proud to see the first students I taught at St Jude’s in the Beyond St Jude’s program, doing a Community Service Year and attending university.
8. Finish this sentence. Education changes lives because…
…Once you are educated you can see light, which gives you direction, leading towards your life’s purpose.
Each cent donated helps St Jude’s to provide amazing teachers like Mr Kashia with everything they need to give students the best possible learning outcomes. Make a donation to help us change lives!
Quotes amended in parts for best sense.
Some of our eager new secondary students are proving their dedication by participating in optional weekend English conversation lessons at Smith secondary campus.
Until beginning their studies at St Jude’s in January, the students had only been educated in Kiswahili at government primary schools throughout Tanzania’s Arusha region.
Starting secondary school is a high achievement in itself for these young people.
Passing their Standard 7 national exam at the end of primary school is sadly not the norm for many Tanzanian children who have to contend with class numbers of over 60 and walking long distances to and from school every day.
It is estimated that only 30% of secondary school aged Tanzanians are receiving an education.
But, our new Form 1s have one obstacle remaining: learning to speak fluent English.
Several St Jude’s international employees voluntarily travel to Smith secondary campus on Sundays, where they engage students in informal conversations, presentations and debates.
St Jude’s Community Relations and Welfare Coordinator, Tracey, devised the program after Form 5 student selection last year. She saw it as a way to complement the School’s formal academic and language support processes.
“Some students [during house checks] struggled to understand simple things said by foreigners — for example, ‘how old are you?’ or, ‘please sit here.’”
“These students, aged between 17-20, had done very well in their Form 4 exams, which are completed in English, so I felt that maybe they had not been exposed to foreign accents and different ways of saying things.”
“Hopefully by becoming used to hearing foreign accents, they will be able to make use of the opportunity to meet visitors to St Jude’s, who have experience in all sorts of professions which may interest our students.”
Lenatha and Goodluck, aged 13, participate in the conversation program, which has helped to improve their confidence.
“Speaking English is a great challenge for us,” Goodluck confirmed.
“Until now, I learnt English from repeating conversations foreigners had with me in the street around town. If we can speak English it means we have greater opportunities after school,” Lenatha added.
“The teachers are very good. I feel blessed to be at this school. In one sentence, I can say what St Jude’s means to me: it shows us who we are and it makes us proud,” Goodluck shared.
“In the villages we come from, St Jude’s is known as one of the best because the quality of education is high and it helps people who need it most.”
Goodluck’s mother, a waitress, is the sole parent of three children. Goodluck is the eldest child, with two younger sisters for whom he sets an excellent example.
A free, private education at The School of St Jude opens the door to higher education, giving Goodluck every hope of securing his dream job in the science or medical field.
With wisdom and insight beyond his years, Goodluck spoke of his ultimate goal.
“If I can finish school, I will provide a foundation for my family’s dreams and future. Life is very hard in this world, but I will help to make ours good.”
Lenatha is the beneficiary of an opportunity her own mother never had.
“My mother got high enough grades to go to secondary school, but her parents could not afford it, so she is really happy that I get the chance [to attend secondary school],” Lenatha said.
“Mum sells potatoes and tomatoes in a small shop. She teaches me that it is good to have some money, but money can be taken away.”
“Education is like the ocean; it never ends and it cannot be taken away from us.”
Our courageous new students are already making waves in their communities. Help St Jude’s fight poverty through education so that students like Goodluck and Lenatha can achieve their dreams: become a Form 1 sponsor today.
