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.