The outbreak of COVID-19 sent the whole world into lockdown and it continues to cause major challenges for friends around the globe. However, thanks to technology, it has opened up a unique and exciting opportunity to connect with St Jude’s international family of supporters in a whole new way. 

In the spirit of bringing new experiences to all supporters, St Jude’s is introducing a Virtual Visit! International travel is postponed for the foreseeable future, severely reducing the annual number of visitors to the school. Visiting St Jude’s is a highlight on many travellers’ itineraries to Tanzania. The goal of the Virtual Visit is to capture the essence of a visit to St Jude’s (virtually!), providing supporters with a taste of campus culture from the comfort of their couch. 

The Virtual Visit will explore campus life, boarding facilities, lunchtime, class visits and more! 

The visit will also extend to a students’ home; a memorable experience on many visitor’s trips to St Jude’s. A home visit is a special part of the school, where the St Jude’s team and visitor are welcomed into a student’s home, gaining a unique insight into the student’s home life. It is a chance to meet a St Jude’s student and their family, shining a light on the impact of free, quality education. 

“We can’t wait to take all supporters and followers of St Jude’s on this virtual tour. It’s a new experience for many of us; one that allows us to connect, even though parts of the world seem so disconnected,” says Gemma Sisia, Founder of The School of St Jude.

St Jude’s has also been able to continue sharing all the wonderful news and stories from the school with supporters thanks to the ‘boom in Zoom’.The school introduced Zoom sessions in early June this year with the aim to network, share updates, answer questions and communicate with new and existing sponsors and donors. 

“2020 has been such a tough year for many of us, but, there’s always a silver lining. By adapting to the corona-crisis, we have created entirely new experiences for the school and myself. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see everyone in Australia this year so ‘Zooming’ was the perfect opportunity to reach out!” says Gemma. 

The reception of the Zoom sessions exceeded expectations, proving to be intimate and engaging for both the school and Zoom guests. With extremely positive feedback and encouragement from supporters, the school aims to continue connecting in this way.

“Technology is truly amazing… I’m able to be in the living rooms of our supporters and on the ground here in Tanzania all at once!” Gemma exclaims. 

“This is awesome! So wonderful to make this sort of connection with everyone that ordinarily wouldn't be able to see what is happening at St Jude’s. I have so enjoyed this walk around!” writes Donald in a Zoom chat. 

“Thank you sincerely for this Zoom. It was very much appreciated. St Jude's work for the children of Africa has been simply amazing,” Lyn comments, a Zoom guest.

Whilst previous Zoom sessions involved Q&A’s and brief snippets of the school, the Virtual Visit will provide a full 360 view of St Jude’s, making the experience as real as possible. The Virtual Visit will take place on Wednesday 23 September, and places will be limited. 

Each year during March, our school Founder, Gemma Sisia, tours internationally to raise awareness and support for The School of St Jude. It is also her opportunity to personally thank many of our thousands of Australian supporters who are helping in fighting poverty through education.

This year's journey was unique. Many Australians were already mourning the loss of land, homes, lives and wildlife due to the devastating bushfires that ravaged much of the country early in the year. Gemma was keen to travel to Australia and bring our supporters a good news story, a tale of hope, in such a testing time.

Now, it is more important than ever that we continue to share inspiring news and seek meaningful connections.

Alongside Gemma this year was Judith, a St Jude's Form 6 graduate, who bravely shared her testimony of triumph with thousands of enthusiastic listeners.

"The absolute best part of being in Australia was sharing my story, having in mind that I was doing it for my younger peers back at St Jude's. The reaction from guests at the events carried me away!" Judith shared.

Judith also expressed her joy at meeting the wide range of St Jude's supporters, noting that we are one big family; diverse in age, skills and nationalities.

"There were so many people who helped me feel comfortable in Australia. People cooked for us in their homes and helped me adjust to new food. I really loved meeting supporters like a young boy named Harry, whose father is Tanzanian. Harry is eight years old. He lives in Brisbane and he raised money for St Jude's by collecting cans and taking them to the depot," she related.

It is this spirit of service, demonstrated by supporters like young Harry, that reminds us in these trying times of something Gemma says often: everyone can do something.

Gemma and Judith's three-week tour started in Queensland, continued to New South Wales, and reached a premature halt in the Australian Capital Territory. The impact of COVID-19 was hitting Australia hard, causing them to return to Tanzania two weeks earlier than expected.

"It was a very difficult decision for us to make, though necessary. We needed to consider the health and safety of supporters attending the events, as well as the growing risk of not being able to return to Tanzania if we were to continue with the tour until its intended end," Gemma explained.

"I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who held such wonderful and welcoming events for us, opened their homes to us, and made time to meet us. Although Australia was rather different in late February and early March from what it is today, it is clear to me, more than ever, that Australians' iconic sense of mateship is well and truly alive."

"I've heard it said that while this is a time of necessary physical distancing, it is not a time for social distancing. We are continuing to look at ways to keep St Jude's community in good spirits during this time of uncertainty, and I am confident that our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Kindness, will guide us all. I look forward to catching up with many more supporters during our next promotional tour."

The School of St Jude, founded on the premise that no cause is hopeless, reminds us to be positive when faced with challenges. Our students and staff know just how powerful a positive mindset can be. One only needs to hear a story like Judith's, who confidently represented thousands of young Tanzanians, to realise that, too.

Since we couldn't finish spreading the word in Australia, could you give us a hand by spreading the word about St Jude's? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram and share this article with your loved ones? Thank you for fighting poverty through education with us. We hope you all keep well.

Judith stands confidently before two of her trusted peers in the Visitor Centre at The School of St Jude. It’s rehearsal day for St Jude’s 2020 Australian promotional tour and Judith’s been handpicked by ‘Mama Gemma’ Sisia, St Jude’s School Founder, to accompany her on her upcoming trip Down Under.

In front of some of her peers, Judith practices telling her tale of triumph. It’s a tale that’s well-known to those in the room and will soon be shared with people across Australia. It’s the tale of how St Jude’s transforms lives. 

Judith is preparing for the journey of a lifetime. This month, she is boarding her very first flight, bound for Australia. There she will meet incredible Australian supporters, who have built the school she loves – the place she calls her home – from scratch.

“When Gemma invited me to join her and help to spread the word about our school, I was so excited! I just couldn’t believe it was me going there!” Judith enthuses. 

“The culture in Tanzania is very different from Australian culture. I will try to learn the differences between here and there, and I will love learning about a new part of the world.” 

“Of course, I know that we share a great love for St Jude’s, so I know I will love everyone I meet!” she says.

Judith started in Standard 1 at St Jude’s and is now getting ready for university. She has benefitted from 13 years of 100% free, quality education and she believes it’s made the world of difference to her. 

“Joining St Jude’s changed my life so much. I’m happy and grateful to meet our supporters. I came from a humble family and the sponsors and donors are the ones who enabled me to go to one of the best schools in Tanzania!” she shares. 

“It was this golden chance that opened the door and helped me to realise that poverty could not hinder my success forever.”

While it’s been a challenging year for so many members of our international family, Judith hopes she will bring a story of joy to the people who gifted her with an education. 

“I know that so many people in Australia are suffering right now, and it pains my heart. I hope Gemma and I can bring some smiles to their faces, because they really deserve to be happy.” 

Would you like to hear more about Judith’s remarkable journey? Be sure to attend a public tour event in a town near you!

Anne Bailey sits in the primary assembly hall, facing out across the lawn. She stares at a building with a low-hanging, green tin roof – the first-ever building of St Jude’s, which today is the Visitors’ Centre.

Behind this stands a building that looks like a house. Indeed, in the very early days, it used to be the home of Founder, Gemma and her husband, Richard. Today it hosts the IT Department.

As Anne looks out, she recalls the story of how her daughter, Angela, once stood there with Gemma, looking out over what was nothing but a cornfield. 

Gemma turns to Angela and announces – “I’m going to build a school here!”

“We’ve always believed in Gemma and her vision,” Anne explains. With her daughter having travelled halfway across the world to join in the venture, it’s easy to see why Anne was keen to remain optimistic. 

Today, Anne is spending time with the new Form 1 students, helping them to settle into St Jude’s. With a background in English Second Language (ESL) teaching and decades’ worth of experience assisting adults and children by teaching intensive English courses, she is a particularly useful visitor. 

Unlike the students who have continued into secondary from studying at St Jude’s primary school, the new Form 1s who have joined this year from government schools have never had their lessons taught in English before, and are some way behind their peers in comprehension and confidence.

But she is also here to be with her daughter, Deputy Director of St Jude’s, Angela, as the school celebrates yet another landmark – the opening of St Jude’s Girls’ Secondary School.

Over the past 18 years, there has been an enormous amount of people along the way who have helped make St Jude’s the school it is today. Teachers, volunteers, sponsors and of course, the students.

The Bailey family have been with St Jude’s since the beginning, maintaining a connection that lasts to this day. 

“I remember when the library was first built – it had a staircase to the second floor,” says Anne. “One of the parents had never used stairs before, these are the things you remember.” 

Back then, the road outside St Jude’s was filled with potholes, rocks and dirt (today it’s made of tarmac) and the only way to get into town was by hitching a ride. 

As we begin 2020, St Jude’s has close to 1,800 students, and 400 of them are in the midst of celebrating the opening of their very own St Jude’s Girls’ Secondary School. The importance of educating girls resonates with Anne.

“When I was younger there were less chances to go to university,” says Anne, who is now 67 years old.

In the 90’s she decided to go to university as a mature-age student, and during her time there she met other women who were a similar age to her. She remembers one friend who had had to leave school so she could work to support her brother’s education. 

“When I was in my 20’s people tended to marry younger,” says Anne. “Women were more likely to be bringing up a family than setting out on a career path and some people thought it wasn’t necessary for women to have a tertiary education.” 

Times and attitudes have changed in her homeland, Australia, since then and Anne sees a new horizon for the girls attending St Jude’s now too. 

“These girls will be able to follow their passions and go far,” says Anne. “They just have to go for it!”

Angela, agrees. 

“They should be able to be independent and follow their dreams,” says Angela. “And if they get married, it should be their choice.” 

For Anne and Angela both, the opening ceremony for the girls’ school will be a day to remember.

“I was walking through the girls’ school yesterday,” says Angela. “And one of the Form 1 students who I’ve known since primary school called out to me.” 

“I asked her how she felt and she said she was really excited. That’s when it sunk in for me and I thought to myself – “this is such an awesome thing!” 

There was an unexpected friendship formed during graduation week between Toowoomba supporter Marilyn and two of our graduates. 

Marilyn and her husband, David, had been sponsoring the scholarship of talented musician, and stand-out student, Silvesta until he sadly passed away in the middle of his Form 6 year. 

Determined to help honour his legacy, and help his fellow graduates in any way she could, Marilyn still travelled to Arusha for the Form 6 graduation ceremony of Silvesta’s class.

As soon as she stepped onto the Smith Secondary Campus she was met by the warm smiling faces of Evance and Rahim who had been Silvesta’s best friends.

“It was a total surprise that these two bright young men looked after me. They gave me a tour around the campus. Because of our afternoon I learnt more about Silvesta and I was also able to do some career counseling with them,” Marilyn said.

With Rahim hoping to study Linguistics after his Community Service Year with the Beyond St Jude’s program, Marilyn was able to impart some wisdom, with her background also in Linguistics.

The camaraderie between the three, continued through to graduation day. Marilyn was able to spend a heartwarming afternoon with Rahim and Evances’ families and presented them with traditional Australian gifts.

For graduate Rahim, Marilyn’s presence added something special to his big day. “The best thing I’ve learnt from Marilyn is if something goes wrong you don’t stop doing it, you keep going. She said that even though Silvesta is gone she won’t stop helping St Jude’s,” Rahim recalled.

Since meeting Rahim, Marilyn has decided that she and her husband will sponsor Rahim’s scholarship for his Community Service Year and will continue to be teaching, boarding and transport supporters.

The legacy of Marilyn’s visit and Silvesta’s memory will remain in the hearts of everyone at St Jude’s.

“We were presented with some words from Marilyn and the document is now posted outside the library, so every student who comes and goes from the library can remember them both,” Rahim smiled.

A gesture that brought tears to Marilyn’s eyes.

“I am not just connected with one student, I now have three connections and I know they are going to make a difference to their country,” Marilyn shared.

Below is an excerpt from Marilyn’s words that every secondary student and visitor can read outside the Smith library.

“Over the years, we have supported the school and one of your students, Silvesta who sadly passed away in 2018. We observed through many letters we received from him, the change from a young boy to a young man with future aspirations who learnt through education, sport and music. We appreciate the opportunity given to us to support this wonderful young man and the school and importantly, its people- the teachers, the many support staff and the students. It has been a privilege that my husband and I have been involved with this school. We aim to continue to support the efforts of all those from the School of St Jude as they seek to assist all of their students to ‘become moral and intellectual leaders in the country.’ It is only through education that people can change the world. The students have the opportunity to become life-long learners from the skills they have acquired at St Jude’s. The School of St Jude continues to educate and prepare their students to be noble citizens for their country.”

Taste testing Australian icon 'Vegemite' by the spoonful, before embarking on a trip of a lifetime to its country of origin, is a cultural exchange St Jude’s graduate Godwin never thought he’d experience.  “It tastes bitter and weird,” Godwin said, laughing, with a mouthful of Vegemite. 

“But seriously I am feeling very excited because I’ve never been to Australia, or even out of Tanzania before, and of course I once dreamed of going but I knew I had no means to go there.” he continued. 

During Godwin’s childhood he lived in a one-room mud house, his single mother struggling to make ends meet to pay for food, clothes and the fees to keep Godwin in school, but she knew education was the only weapon to escape the poverty they were faced with.

More than a decade on, with the guidance of the St Jude’s community, and incredible resilience, Godwin has not only topped classes at St Jude’s, and been a volunteer teacher at an under-resourced local government school, he has also successfully earned a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in New York.

But first - following an invitation from St Jude’s Founder, Gemma Sisa - to a whirlwind speaking tour to Australia, and boy is he ready to go!

“The importance of sharing my story is to let the people who are supporting The School St Jude know that their support is really worth it and it’s giving young people an opportunity,” Godwin said. 

He's very much hoping the crowds, expected to reach 700 at some events, will take away this message from their time with the St Jude’s team. 

“This education is more than education, because it opens new doors in our lives. You ignite the flame and that fire will start bigger fires and one day it’s going to be one huge fire. Whatever you can do for a person that is less privileged is really worthy, as that person will eventually be able to do something great to help their community.”

And he's a shining example of just that! In addition to his work in Australia, Godwin plans to learn from the lifestyle. 

“Apart from doing speeches I’ll be interested in swimming at some beaches, as it will be my first time to swim. I heard about the saying ‘G’day mate’ when I met with Australians visiting the school but my accent isn’t so good. I understand the people there are very generous, they are ready to support each other and us,” Godwin said with a big smile.

Alongside Godwin on his first trip aboard, and assisting him with digesting Vegemite, is Alumni Coordinator, Maddie Kelly. Herself returning home to Australia to assist with the tour, after almost two years living and working at the school in Arusha. 

“I think Godwin is going to be an exceptional representative of St Jude’s and all our students. He’s already overcome so many challenges in his life and he understands the importance of what supporters do for St Jude’s,” Maddie shared. 

“Godwin goes as a representative of one of eighteen hundred and he doesn’t take that responsibility lightly. There are more than a thousand like him that are trying to make the most of every opportunity they are given.”

Together they will not only navigate the initial cultural shocks when on Aussie soil, but will share the challenges facing 12 million Tanzanians living in poverty. His aim, to inspire you to spread the word about The School of St Jude and help fight poverty through education.  

“My mum is really proud, she never thought her son would come this far,” Godwin said with wide eyes.