Saturday October 13 marked a significant education milestone for 151 students who have successfully reached the end of their O Level scholarship at St Jude’s. 

Reaching the end of O Level studies, the secondary schooling years between Forms 1-4 (Grades 8-10), is no ordinary achievement in Tanzania. While 87% of Tanzanian students between the ages of seven and 13 are enrolled in primary school, only 32% of 14-19 year old students are enrolled in secondary school. 

This is largely due to Tanzania’s strict examination requirements, which exclude students who do not pass benchmark national examinations in Standard 4 (Grade 4), Standard 7 (Grade 7) and Form 4 (Grade 10). 

Each of the students St Jude’s celebrated this month at the Form 4 Awards and Celebration Day has already shown considerable aptitude and motivation. 

The ceremony, attended by students’ proud family members, school leaders, staff and international visitors, recognised the academic and non-academic achievements of current Form 4 students and cast the spotlight on deserving high-achievers. 

The DUX of Form 4, Veronica, received awards for being Best in English, Best in Mathematics, and Overall Best in her class. 

“I did not know I was going to be awarded. It was a surprise, even for my mother and father who are here. I hope they will be proud.”

When she completes secondary studies, Veronica hopes to give back to her community by pursuing a career in education. 

“I would like to be a biology teacher because I know how important school is. I would like to be a role model for girls,” she enthused.

It was a day of tribute to the success of our O Level students, and to students between Forms 1-6 with talents in specialty areas, including sports, design, citizenship, science and innovation. 

Debora and Lowoi, Form 4 students who were nominated to represent their class, delivered a stirring message of gratitude.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we give bundles of thanks to each and every person present, because you each had a part to play in this journey. We express our gratitude to Mama Gemma for her dream, our beloved parents for their care and guidance, teaching and non-teaching staff, and sponsors and donors who have given so much to us.”

“As this journey comes to an end, we ask you for your well wishes so we can do our best and succeed.  We know there will be light shone on our path as we head towards our Form 4 exams. Celebrating this day is not an end goal. It is a part of the larger journey in life. All accomplishments are a starting point for future achievements.”

Build the bridge between O Level and A Level studies for one of our students. Take the next step and sponsor an A Level academic scholarship. 

Teaching of science and allied subjects, often short of the required number of teachers, got a boost in Arusha this week after Form VI graduates started teaching as volunteers.

At least 68 graduates from St. Jude school, one of the high profile and donor funded learning institutions here, on Monday began a year of service and started teaching at various government owned schools.

“The majority of them are teaching science and mathematics, key subjects urgently needed for a prosperous future for Tanzania,” the School’s founded Ms Gemma Sisia told The Citizen yesterday.

When 12 intrepid students from Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC) in Melbourne, Australia, stepped out of a St Jude’s bus and into our schoolyard on September 1, they brought more with them than just their luggage.

They brought compassion, laughter, songs and hope. 

It was a long awaited trip for the young travellers, each of whom made their mark on our school community. 

Alice, currently in Year 10 at Methodist Ladies’ College, expressed her excitement at being selected to participate in the College’s immersion to Tanzania. 

“It was amazing to find out we were selected to come to St Jude’s. We saw the effect it had on students who’d come before us and we could only imagine just how special it would be.” 

“When you come to St Jude’s, you realise exactly where your money is going and can see how it changes the students’ lives. You also receive much more than you could possibly give, there is so much joy here.”

During their two-and-a-half week stay, MLC’s staff and students enjoyed learning about Tanzanian culture, tasting local delicacies, spending time with students and experiencing a safari! 

“Going on safari was a great way to break up the visit and to see some of the amazing landscapes within Tanzania, but certainly spending time at St Jude’s was the highlight.” Group leader and MLC staff member, Lauren, shared. 

“For most of us, the home visit was a true highlight. When you see the students on the playground in their neat school uniforms, it’s easy to forget where they come from. So, having the chance to go to their home and experience how welcoming their families are was very special for us,” Year 10 students, Georgia and Mimi, said.

“Although the youngest children are so cute and it’s beneficial to have a connection with them for 12 years or more if you sign on for sponsorship, we think it’s equally beneficial to sponsor a scholarship for students in Form 1 or Form 5, because they have shown their resilience for 10 years at underfunded government schools.”

“They are students around our age group, so we can develop a peer-to-peer bond with them,” the students added. 

St Jude’s students certainly benefited from meeting MLC’s bright leaders. The visiting students helped to serve hundreds of meals at Sisia Primary Campus, and on the final day of their visit, performed an excellent repertoire of Australian songs at the primary school assembly! 

Beyond their singing and dancing talents, MLC brought thousands more reasons to smile. 

Incredibly, the students raised thousands of dollars before visiting St Jude’s. 

The MLC students knew they were in for the journey of  a lifetime before they’d even landed on Tanzanian soil, yet Alice’s final words convey the ripple effect a visit to St Jude’s can have. 

“We are so happy to have had this experience. It really makes me consider coming back to Africa and volunteering in the future, and ways I can make a difference for St Jude’s in years to come.” 

Would you like to see St Jude’s in action? Find out how to make a visit! 

We spoke to the students involved in one of our most successful fundraising campaigns. Read about the impact it had on them. 

Student 1: Lina
Grade: Form 6
Career Ambition: Human Rights Leader

1. What would you like to say to the Appeal donors? 

Lina: Thank you! They should keep up with the same spirit. One thing they should keep in mind is that they are investing in us and in the future they will see how the students they support will change the world. St Jude’s isn’t a small thing. It’s unique and the time will come when they will see real doctors, lawyers, scientists and others who can help our country. 

Student 2: Theresia
Grade: Standard 6
Career Ambition: Teacher

2. How did it feel to be on camera? 

Theresia: I felt grateful because I knew that I was doing it in order for us to get more supporters for all St Jude’s students. I felt good and trust myself that I can talk in front of people without regarding who the message reaches. 

3. How do you feel when you know many people want to support your school? 

Theresia: I am excited because there are many more Tanzanian children who need help. 

Lina:  I feel very good since I know that many students who come from poor economic conditions are going to be supported. Many dreams are going to be achieved and most of all, the school is going to get more graduates who will help the school in the future. I also feel many people trust and believe in us. It encourages me to study harder so I cannot let down people who trust and believe in my abilities. 

Student 3: Amani
Graduating Class: 2016
Career Ambition: Medicine

Amani graduated with the Class of 2016. A key protagonist in our alumni program, he is a driven leader who leaves a positive impression on everyone he encounters. 

It is little wonder he was our Marketing team’s first choice to be one of the faces of the ‘helping hand’ campaign video. His success as a St Jude’s graduate is a heartwarming tale of fighting poverty through education. 

In 2005, Amani was selected for a St Jude’s primary scholarship — he was 10 years old. Little did he know how much he would accomplish in the next 13 years!

Amani is now a university student at Africa University in Zimbabwe. He received a scholarship through St Jude’s partnership with the MasterCard Foundation and African Leadership Academy. 

“I could never have dreamed of going to university before I came to St Jude’s. I was just focused on getting to secondary school. Then I realised on the day of Form 6 Graduation that my dream was coming true,” Amani said. 

Theresia, Lina and Amani, as the faces of our campaign, symbolise the success of St Jude’s. We can expect great things from these young people in years to come!

Kevin first visited The School of St Jude with his wife, Mary Beth, in 2004, when only a few dozen students were enrolled. They had met Gemma’s brother, Dan, on safari in South Africa, who informed them of his sister’s dream. The young couple, intent on pursuing their own shared dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, decided to pay St Jude’s a visit during their stay in Arusha.

It was a visit that changed their life, and later on, the life of Musa, who was then a brand new student at The School of St Jude.

During a recent return visit to St Jude’s, Kevin was reunited with Musa and his family, who had the opportunity to express their gratitude to Kevin and Mary Beth for their support that has enabled him to graduate from high school. Currently, Musa is voluntarily teaching mathematics at a government school in Moshono.  Making the most of it: Musa, currently teaching in a government school, is grateful to Kevin and his family for their support.
“Before this visit to St Jude’s, I had never even heard the man’s [Musa’s] voice, it was amazing. He knew exactly who I was, I knew who he was, and this is after more than a decade of correspondence by letters. The whole experience of meeting him as an adult blew my mind,” Kevin said.

“I had the opportunity to visit Musa’s home… I had no idea what to expect, but kept an open mind. Musa’s family were warm and welcoming, they gifted me with a rooster, prepared me food, and heaped thanks upon me for helping their son to receive an education.”

“Through sponsorship, we have affected areas of Musa’s life we never imagined. They live very modestly but had previously been exceptionally poor. Because we were paying for Musa’s education, the family saved enough money to build a home,” he added.

Back in the day: Kevin, in 2004, cooking outside the then visitor house - now our Purchasing office! Kevin was wildly impressed with the development of St Jude’s since his visit 14 years ago, and especially, the inception of a Community Service Year program.

“It’s important for Mary Beth and I to continue supporting Musa’s scholarship into his Community Service Year, because I’m aware that people can be given a great education through high school and when it’s over, they have no integration. This is a brilliant part of Gemma’s master plan, because these graduates have fertile ground to grow from rather than being left on cold pavement outside the door.”

“A highlight from this visit was hearing Musa talk about the students he teaches in the government school. He has four classes and teaches 200 students a day. He can do this because of the education he received at St Jude’s. Musa wants to study Wildlife Management and this experience helps him apply leadership skills. It’s on-the-job training; the apron string is not totally cut, and these young leaders have the chance to function in an administrative body rather than only receive from it.” Kevin enthused.

Kevin believes the success and growth of Beyond St Jude’s reflects the booming developments at St Jude’s over the past 16 years.

“There have been many small changes which culminate in huge change. When Mary Beth and I first came here, Angela was one of the only teachers, and now she is Deputy Director. The School only had two small vans for transport, and now there’s an entire bus fleet. I have visited 70 countries and have only met a few people who can execute a vision with as much passion, talent and selflessness as Gemma Sisia,” Kevin acknowledged.

Strong ties: Kevin was blown away by progress made at St Jude's since he first met Gemma 12 years ago.  By continuing to sponsor Musa through his Community Service Year, Kevin and his family make it possible for hundreds of government school students to have a teacher for one of their major subjects. In turn, they are helping Musa to obtain professional skills which will help him pursue his dream job in Wildlife Management; a key economic sector in Tanzania.

“We are shaping and educating kids, allowing kids to go and be leaders. To shape their society. This is why I want to keep sponsoring. It’s allowing things to blossom, things that naturally grow, when you pull the weeds back and let it happen.”

Pull back the weeds and help a young adult like Musa to change his community. Contact our Beyond St Jude’s team at sponsorbeyond@schoolofstjude.co.tz and find out how you can support one of our graduates.

In 2017, Winrose wowed St Jude’s supporters all over Australia when she accompanied Gemma Sisia on her annual fundraising tour.

With grace and humility, Winrose spoke to thousands of people about the impact that her education at St Jude’s had on her life. At the time, she was newly accepted into the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at African Leadership Academy, which enabled her to reach a previously improbable dream: studying in the United States to become an aeronautical engineer. As a part of her scholarship, Winrose will return to Tanzania at no cost each year during her summer break, during which she undertakes community service projects and internships and reconnects with her family, friends and culture. Bright smile, bright future: Winrose started at St Jude's in 2011 for Form 1.  Winrose took the time to visit Sisia Primary Campus this month and share some insights about living in the United States, what she has learnt and what she hopes for St Jude’s students in years to come. “I came to St Jude’s from an under-resourced government school when I was in Form 1. St Jude’s was a huge stepping stone for me. It prepared me for the opportunities I am currently enjoying. At St Jude’s we were taught to think outside the box. We participated in events such as Career Day, we had mentors, library facilities – all the resources we needed to succeed,” she said. Winrose believes St Jude’s school values helped shape her into an empowered leader with potential to affect change in Tanzania, when she returns to her homeland after completing her university degree. “It was instilled in us to be respectful and responsible. Our teachers always told us not to wait for someone to instruct you, that you have to have self-discipline and initiative. And also, that if you respect other people, you will have meaningful and healthy relationships. These are crucial guidelines for a good life,” Winrose said. “There have been so many surprising things about American culture, the food, the people. The facilities at Trinity College, where I am studying Mechanical Engineering, are beyond anything I could have imagined. However, Tanzania is home and if we all move abroad after university, who will be here to raise our country up? I have to bring back what people have sent me to do. I am an example to others.” Amazing ambassador: Winrose spoke at an event hosted by Australian Ambassador to the USA, Joe Hockey.  During her recent attendance at St Jude’s Alumni event, Winrose had the chance to prove herself as an exemplary role model by speaking to our entire secondary school. She encouraged them to study hard so that they could reap the rewards of their free, quality education. “I told the students to take their English studies seriously, because communication is the vehicle for positive change in modern society. The best practice is to read books often. I also told them that volunteering is a great way to show your appreciation, even if it is something as simple as cleaning up plastic on the streets.” When asked what she believes will secure Tanzania’s future as a stable and, indeed, competitive economic and social leader in Africa, Winrose’s answer came as no surprise. “Education. Everything starts with knowledge and ideas and the mind. If you have the skills your society needs, you can solve any problem. We can have more doctors, human rights workers, engineers. It helps in building our mindset. People can take anything from you, but not your education that lights you up. If you have education, you receive the light, and you can shine it on other people.” You can shine a light on one of Tanzania’s future leaders, like Winrose. Spread the word about Winrose’s tale of triumph by hosting an event for St Jude’s!