Gemma Sisia is coming to the US!

In October, Gemma will embark across the US, speaking across six states and sharing the message of The School of St Jude. A variety of events have been scheduled for her visit with alum Dr Suleiman, a physician in Tanzania, and many are open to the public. Together, they’ll share their remarkable story of how one small school, launched in 2002 with just three students and one teacher, has grown into a life-changing institution educating over 1,800 students across three campuses.

The countdown is on: In October, Gemma will embark across the US, speaking across six states and sharing the message of The School of St Jude.
Joining the journey: Gemma will be accompanied by St Jude’s alum and physician, Dr Suleiman.

Tour schedule highlights:

Voices of change

With heavy preparations and the microphones ready, the stage was set. From Kenya and Uganda, to Rwanda, Tanzania, and even Burundi, students came together here at The School of St Jude, Smith Campus. This was not just a normal gathering; it was a celebration of ideas, persuasion, and the art of speaking truth with passion.

The East African Schools Debate Championships is one of the biggest competitions hosted annually in Tanzania that features academic sports like debate, public speaking, and quiz. This tournament not only brings students together, but also sharpens the communication skills of the young East African generation.

Mr Joseph, Head of Languages at St Jude’s Secondary and public speaking club mentor, chaired the organizing committee for the tournament. He says he is very proud to be a part of the team that nurtures young minds.

“It was great for students from other countries to experience the St Jude’s values and culture. Nothing beats the feeling of bringing young voices to one platform,” he says

Barriers were certainly broken this year, with over 350 students from across East Africa attending the tournament: an increase of more than 150 from last year. Over 40 students from St Jude’s had the invaluable opportunity to learn from the best young debaters and speakers across the region.

Uganda took home the top prize in the debate category, while Kenya earned the top award in public speaking. St Jude’s was well represented, with three students making it to the final six in the public speaking competition.

One of those finalists was Form 5 student Lilian, who was thrilled to be able to represent
St Jude’s.

“The tournament was challenging. There were lots of students from across East Africa and it was very competitive. When my name was mentioned as one of the finalists, I was really nervous, but I had so much fun participating,” she says.

Lillian, who especially enjoyed the debate section of the competition, explains that delivering a strong speech requires strong preparation. Like many of her fellow students, she is an active member of the public speaking and debating clubs at St Jude’s, where students meet weekly to sharpen these
essential skills.

“In our public speaking and debating clubs, we learn more about how to become better speaker. We also get to practice at competitions like this. We believe that practice beats talent. It starts with believing
in yourself, then being confident, and never giving up,” she says.

St Jude’s also proudly secured second place overall in the tournament, a testament to the hard work and dedication of both the students and the staff. Both Mr Joseph and Lilian believe that opportunities like this competition are important in helping students develop key 21st century skills.

“We have seen many students from Uganda, Kenya, Burundi travelling long distance to come in this tournament. We’re already looking forward to next year and hope we will have even more students participating in 2026,” says Mr Joseph.

As the curtains closed on this year’s East African Schools Debate Championships, the energy, passion, and determination of the students left a lasting impression. With each debate made and every speech delivered, the students demonstrated that they are not only ready to be heard but are already becoming the voices of change across East Africa.

Rewiring urban transport with smarter mobility solutions

Growing up in Tanzania’s busy cities, Benson was surrounded by the roar of motorbikes and endless car horns. But beneath the everyday chaos, he saw something many missed; a pattern of problems such as youth unemployment, urban congestion, and rising pollution fueled by an outdated way of moving people and packages.

With a childhood friend and a shared vision for a greener future, Benson co-founded FikaChu, a smart, electric bicycle delivery platform designed to tackle three major urban challenges with one bold idea. They source components from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in Asia, then assemble the bicycles and integrate them with their mobile app in Tanzania.

"We kept asking ourselves, what if the mobility solution could also create jobs and clean the air? That’s how FikaChu was born,” says Benson.

Bold idea: Benson co-founded FikaChu, a smart electric bike delivery platform that addresses three major urban challenges

The concept is simple, but the impact is profound. Benson envisions that FikaChu connects small and medium-sized businesses with customers in Dar es Salaam, through a fleet of gig workers using electric bikes. No personal vehicle is required, just scan, ride, deliver, and return. The result? A remarkable 94% reduction in emissions compared to traditional motorbike deliveries.

“A typical internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycle emits about 100g of CO2 per kilometer, while our electric bikes emit only 6g, that’s just 6%,” says Benson.

Earlier this year, Benson took FikaChu to the national stage at Innovation Week hosted by the Institute of Accountancy Arusha. It was his first time pitching in front of a large crowd, and he had just two minutes to make a lasting impression.

“The hardest part wasn’t the nerves. It was condensing everything our why, our how our vision into something unforgettable,” he says.

He did just that. Out of more than 30 innovators, Benson took home the first runner-up award validating that FikaChu was more than a clever idea. It was a movement in motion. Today, FikaChu is in its pilot phase, weaving through the streets of Tanzania as the team tests, adapts, and dreams bigger. They’re refining logistics, listening to feedback, and laying the groundwork for scale, all while keeping people and planet at the core of every decision.

One ride at a time: With a growing fleet of electric bikes and over 1,300 deliveries under his belt, FikaChu is creating jobs and reducing emissions.

“We’re not just building a company; we’re building a community. And we’re wide open to
partnerships, support, and collaboration,” he adds. 

For Benson, innovation doesn’t begin in a lab or a corner office; it begins with courage. The courage to look at a daily problem and ask, what if?

“To any young person with an idea; start. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Fail forward if you must, but move,” he adds.

When asked about how he competes with traditional motorbikes (bodaboda) he explained their approach.

“Before accepting a delivery task, we provide the rider or customer with a trip comparison analysis. This includes the estimated time it would take using a FikaChu e-bike versus a bodaboda, the amount of fuel a motorbike would consume, and the total cost savings they would get by choosing our service. We also show how much CO2 emissions they can avoid by going electric. It’s not just about speed, it’s about making an informed, ecofriendly, and cost-effective choice,” he says

Driving a cleaner future: At Innovation Week, Benson captured national attention and earned first runner-up for FikaChu.

Through FikaChu, Benson isn’t just delivering goods; he’s delivering hope, a cleaner future, one ride at a time. With a growing fleet of five electric bikes, each capable of covering up to 50 kilometers on a single charge, he’s proving that small steps can drive big change. So far, FikaChu has successfully completed over 1,300 deliveries, and in the process, opened a new doorway to employment for young Tanzanians eager to earn, learn, and contribute to a greener economy.

We are immensely proud of our alumni like Benson, whose journey began with a dream to learn and make a difference. He has transformed challenges into opportunities for youth, communities, and the environment.

Meet Annette and Geoff, the program leads for our new Spoken English Immersion Program

We’re excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Spoken English Immersion Program in 2026, designed to specifically help St Jude’s students improve their spoken English skills. We sat down with Geoff and Annette, the two Australians leading the project, to hear more about its mission and what participants can expect.

Geoff is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Queensland and Annette is an Industry Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney. We are lifelong educators. Geoff was an upper primary school teacher and Annette a high school teacher before we gained our PhDs 15 years ago and moved to academia, working as researchers and teacher educators. We’ve worked and researched in multiple countries, presented at many international conferences and written books, book chapters and journal articles for both teachers and researchers. Since leaving full time academia, we’ve presented teacher professional learning workshops and conducted research on the development and implementation of education programs.

We are keen travelers and have visited various countries on the African continent twelve times. We visited St Jude’s twice in 2012 as part of a research project, during which we ran professional learning workshops for the teachers at St Jude’s and other schools in and around Arusha. We always wanted to return and support the school, so when we saw that Gemma was seeking someone to lead the Spoken English Immersion Program at St Jude’s, we were inspired to apply for the position as a team. Having developed masters-level programs and research programs at multiple universities, we have the necessary expertise and experience to lead the program and its development, implementation, and evaluation, not only in 2026, but in future years too.

The volunteer team will arrive at St Jude’s on the 17 June 2026, and after two days of collaborative planning on June 18 and 19 will commence teaching the students for two full weeks from June 22 to July 4. The most important goal of the program is to support the St Jude’s students to strengthen their spoken English language skills and to have fun at the same time. An important part of this process involves providing the students with many opportunities to listen and respond to native English speakers.

We are planning to have the outline of the program developed well in advance of the start date to ensure that the volunteer team have a clear understanding of what is required and to give them the opportunity to develop any supporting resources or materials that will allow them to deliver an exciting program to their students.

We believe that success of the program will be reflected in the students’ willingness to speak more confidently without fear of making mistakes, and of course if they are enjoying themselves while learning. We hope that the program will become an annual event and look forward to building on its success to strengthen future programs.

Meet Annette and Geoff: The program leads for our new Spoken English Immersion Program.

We will work with around 300 students and 30-40 volunteers. The volunteer team will be invited to contribute their ideas about games, activities, themes and topics that they feel will encourage and support the students to participate and enjoy themselves in each class. This will ensure a collaboratively planned program.

The program will run for two full weeks (Monday to Saturday each week) and each day, each volunteer will work with five classes of 10 students (meaning that they will work closely with 50 students in total), enabling development of rapport and a supportive classroom environment with the goal of enhancing students’ willingness to use their English language skills in a diverse range of enjoyable contexts and activities. The program is structured so that volunteers will have colleagues who share the same students and others who are teaching the same lessons as them. This allows volunteers to be able to support each other, plan together, and collaborate on the needs of the students in their shared classes.

Beyond the classroom activities, volunteers will participate in a cultural program developed by the St Jude’s visitor team. Activities may include lessons in Kiswahili, drumming, Zumba, and cooking as well as home visits and outings to craft markets or local restaurants. We hope that the program and the broader cultural experiences will create a collegial and enjoyable working environment for the volunteer team.

We are most excited about meeting and working with the students as well as collaborating with and working alongside the volunteers. It is a privilege for us to be able to contribute to what we believe will be a strong and valuable program that helps students and teachers at St Jude’s. We are also very excited about the opportunity to learn more about Tanzanian culture.

First and foremost, all volunteers need to have the capacity to use and interpret lesson plans and sequences so that they can deliver meaningful learning experiences to the students. They must also have strong oral communication skills. As this is the first year of the program, we didn’t use strictly defined criteria, and we definitely couldn’t foresee the high level of response from applicants keen to join the program as volunteers. Obviously, some background as an educator would be an asset, as is the capacity to adapt and respond quickly to the needs and interests of the students. All volunteers need to have a sense of humor, resilience and self-reliance, as well as the ability to work in a team, which are central to working in such an intensive program with colleagues. As the program involves people from numerous countries, willingness and capacity to communicate promptly and using various online platforms are essential. We will of course be evaluating the program and in future years, the criteria may well be refined as we learn more about the program, its delivery, and most importantly, the students themselves.

We have a database for recording the details of anyone who may be interested in applying for the 2027 program. Applicants should first consider the criteria mentioned above and can email us (annetteandgeoff@gmail.com) with their names and email addresses (no CVs or cover letters yet). Once the 2027 program is announced, we will contact people on the database with a link to information about the application process.

Culture in full color

This year’s theme, “Living Our Tanzanian Identity,” was vividly brought to life by our students through a vibrant array of activities, including fashion shows, traditional dances, drama, and delicious local cuisine. Events like this offer a wonderful opportunity to experience the vibrant diversity of our community and the richness of Tanzanian culture.

Stories on stage: Students delivered powerful drama performances that reflected Tanzanian life, values and identity.

Fashion for purpose: Students showcased their designs, bringing their fashion to life.

Dancing with pride: Our students brought culture to life with every step and movement.

Celebrating unity: Students light up the stage with vibrant traditions.

Colours of our heritage: Students brought the canvas to life with vibrant traditional paintings.

A celebration of Tanzania: Participants and guests experienced the vibrant spirit and culture firsthand.

Pushing pedals for a purpose

When it comes to supporting meaningful causes, Leigh knows the power of going the extra mile - or in this case, an extra 196 miles. What began as a simple workplace connection to The School of St Jude, a close foundation partner of his employer TechnologyOne, soon grew into a personal mission to make a lasting difference.

Leigh first learned about St Jude’s when founder Gemma Sisia visited his workplace, accompanied by several alumni, to share more about the work and mission of the school.

“These were students who grew up without electricity, access to quality education, or clear opportunities to change the course of their lives. St Jude’s gives them exactly that chance and the impact is impressive,” says Leigh.

The experience struck a chord, and in 2018, Leigh traveled to Tanzania on a work trip, where he met students, shared career advice, and experienced daily life at St Jude’s firsthand.

Discovering St Jude’s: Leigh first heard about the school and its mission through his employer, TechnologyOne, a proud supporter of St Jude’s.

“A girl named Nice showed us around the school and walked us through a typical day. Hearing how St Jude’s not only provides a world-class education but also instils a commitment to giving back to the community moved me to sponsor her on the spot. I always enjoyed receiving her letters about her studies, ambitions and family life,” he says.

Since this time, Leigh has remained a committed supporter of St Jude’s, and is now sponsoring a student named Amalia. But earlier this year, he took that support even further, taking on a personal challenge to raise funds for the school.

“A couple of years ago, someone told me about the longest single-day bike ride in the world, the Vätternrundan in Sweden. They didn’t think I could finish it, so I thought why not combine a tough personal challenge with something bigger by fundraising for The School of St Jude?”

Leigh started training in January for the 196-mile ride, which he successfully completed in June. The course was exhausting, with steep hills and long stretches that pushed both his body and mind to the limit.

“The final 37 miles were when the biggest hills hit, and to make it worse, I was riding with a knee injury from training just weeks earlier. I was taking anti-inflammatories to keep going, had lost one of my water bottles, and was feeling dehydrated. But every donation, and the thought of what it meant for the students, kept me pushing to the finish.”

A challenge conquered: After months of relentless training, Leigh triumphantly crossed the finish line, completing the full 196-mile ride.

His efforts raised £6,900, and a generous donor matched pound for pound, bringing the total fundraised amount to £13,800 (US$18,600).

“I was blown away by the number of donors and TechnologyOne contributing a significant amount too,” he says.

Reflecting on the experience, Leigh encourages others not to hesitate when it comes to taking on a challenge in support of a cause they care about.

“Just do it. I live a very fortunate life, and for me, riding 196 miles over 10 hours is nothing compared to the challenges many others face daily. A little discomfort can go a long way in changing someone else’s life,” he says.

That motivation continues through Leigh’s role at TechnologyOne, a company with a strong focus on social impact.

“Giving back is a core part of our culture, whether it’s providing scholarships for underprivileged university students here in the UK or investing in social value for the communities we serve. St Jude’s takes that same mission and amplifies it, dedicating itself entirely to educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds while helping to build their communities.

Angel’s green impact goes global

When Angel first walked through the gates of The School of St Jude, she was a bright student with big dreams but few resources. Thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors, she gained not just a quality education but the confidence and tools to lead change.

Her journey began in 2017, when she and her friend Sharon shared a love for science and innovation. Their first major creation, a simple yet life-changing electric stick for the visually impaired, took them to the Project Inspire boot camp in Dodoma. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to using innovation for good.

A year later, their banana peel fertilizer project took them to Science Week at the Nelson Mandela Institute of Science and Technology, where future African scientists, engineers and leaders learn to solve local challenges and drive progress across the region. By the time they reached A Level, Angel and Sharon were leading environmental initiatives on campus, from maintaining green spaces to inspiring fellow students to think sustainably.

On the global stage: Angel wins the Humanitarian Excellence Award from the I CAN Foundation.

Out of this passion, Angel founded ECHO Elevating Climate Harmony Ontime, a youth-led non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on tackling climate change. In 2024, ECHO made history by winning the prestigious Humanitarian Excellence Award from the I CAN Foundation, triumphing over entries from all 28 Indian states and more than 80 competitors worldwide.

The award recognized ECHO’s tangible impact on:

Determined to give back: Angel is now bringing her expertise back to Tanzania and is designing solar-powered cooling systems for farmers.

Now back in Tanzania after completing her studies in India, Angel is determined to bring her expertise home and is designing solar-powered cooling systems for farmers, developing sustainable irrigation, and building climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

Angel’s story is your story too. Without your generosity, this young leader might never have had the chance to dream this big, let alone inspire change on a global stage. Your support is not just educating students. It is equipping them to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Q&A with staff member, Georgie

Georgie is our Assistant Team Lead Communication and Content and she is super excited to share a new fundraising challenge that means you can visit St Jude’s and summit Kilimanjaro with a supportive group - all while raising valuable funds for the school!

Q: Can you tell us about this fundraising challenge, when is it and what is involved?

Absolutely! This exciting fundraising challenge is called St Jude’s Kili Tek and is planned for July 2026. The itinerary offers a unique blend of adventure and purpose. You’ll spend 5 days and 4 nights visiting The School of St Jude, immersing yourself in the school community. Then, you’ll embark on a thrilling 7-night trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. For those wanting to extend their experience, there’s an option to add a safari after the climb. It’s a wonderful chance to explore Tanzania, push your limits and raise much-needed funds to support the school’s mission.

Q: Who have we partnered with and why?

We’ve teamed up with Inspired Adventures, a well-respected Australian organization known for running sustainable challenge events worldwide. They’ve supported hundreds of charities by managing recruitment, logistics, and fundraising. Plus, their founder, Justine Curtis, has personally visited St Jude’s, making this partnership even more meaningful.

Q: Why should people register?

This challenge is perfect for anyone wanting to challenge themself. By joining, you’ll not only experience incredible moments like summiting Kilimanjaro and visiting St Jude’s but you’ll also fundraise for the school.

Q: What kind of fundraising is required?

Everyone is encouraged to raise $3,750 for the school. But, don’t worry! Inspired Adventures offers full support with branded materials and guidance to help everyone hit their fundraising targets and make their challenge a success.

Q: How can people register?

Registration is super easy! Just visit School of St Jude - Kilimanjaro 2026 | Inspired Adventures to sign up, get all the details and start your fundraising journey.

Q: Summiting Kilimanjaro is certainly a challenge, how fit do people need to be to participate?

While no prior trekking experience is required, the challenge involves several consecutive days of walking at high altitudes. The climb is more like a long, steep walk rather than technical mountain climbing, but proper training and the right equipment are essential. The fitter you are, the more you’ll enjoy it. You’ll be fully supported throughout the journey by experienced guides, a doctor, and your team, with frequent breaks and the freedom to move at your own pace. If you’re still unsure, you can check out the guidelines on the website.

Q: A little bird has whispered you might be taking part. Is this true?

Yes, it’s true! I’m really excited to be taking part in this challenge. Working here means I see the impact of St Jude’s every single day, which is incredibly inspiring. From hearing the students laughing as they get off the bus in the morning, to sharing the stories of our amazing alumni and their achievements in the community, I’m constantly seeing the school’s purpose and mission in action. Being able to support it in this way makes the experience even more meaningful. And I’d love for others to join me on this journey! If you’re feeling inspired to take on a challenge and be part of something special, sign up now … what are you waiting for?

Ready, set, climb: Join Georgie on an unforgettable adventure to climb Kilimanjaro, visit St Jude’s, and raise vital funds for the school.

Kiswahili word of the month

UDUGU

[oo-DOO-goo] Noun. Singular

The word Udugu means brotherhood or kinship. It represents a deep bond of mutual support, care and unity among people, even beyond family ties. At St Jude’s, the sense of belonging and fitting is reflected in every aspect of our lives. Udugu is seen across St Jude’s from meeting at the bus stops to having tasty meals in the dining halls.

History

The word Udugu has a fascinating origin, dating from the late 1960s to the early 1980s in Tanzania. Falling under the key concept in the philosophy of Ujamaa (familyhood), which was promoted by Tanzania’s first president late Julius Nyerere. Through his philosophy, a foundation of a unified and cooperative society was created. This remains in Tanzania to this day.

Over time, the word Udugu has evolved all over East Africa, and it is used to represent a sense of community, kinship and mutual support that extends beyond immediate family.

How to use the word…

Transforming lives through art

Spotlight on creativity: Students unveil their artistic talents at St Jude’s inaugural art exhibition and gala.

The lights sparkled, the drinks flowed, and the air buzzed with creativity as St Jude’s Sisia Campus came alive last month for its first-ever Art Exhibition and Gala, designed to spotlight budding artists and support the growth of the Student Art Program. 

Themed Transforming Lives Through Art, the two-part event kicked off with a vibrant family fun day, featuring live painting, food vendors, face painting, sip and paint, and children’s activities. As evening fell, the campus transformed into an elegant outdoor gala, welcoming guests in style to an unforgettable night of live entertainment, a gourmet three-course meal, and an auction of student artworks.

Jane, Experience and Community Programs Senior Manager at The School of St Jude, says the event offered a meaningful way for the local community to engage with the school’s mission while showcasing the Student Art Program’s role in fostering creativity, confidence, and self-expression.

Family fun day: The day event featured live painting, food vendors, face painting, sip and paint, and children’s activities.

“The Art Exhibition and Gala offered the local community the unique opportunity to interact directly with our students, learn about their artistic journeys, and see the impact of our Student Art Program firsthand,” says Jane.

“For many students, this was their first time exhibiting and selling their work, so it was a huge milestone. Watching them talk about their pieces with guests was incredibly special. These interactions boosted their confidence and helped attendees to understand the stories behind the artworks, and connect on a deeper level.”

Among the young talent featured was Denis, a Form 4 graduate who exhibited a total of 24 pieces, three of which were sold during the event. He also assisted with the exhibition setup, learning how to hang pieces, position easels, and curate a professional display - an invaluable experience for an aspiring professional artist.

Painting the future: Denis, a Form 4 graduate who exhibited a total of 24 pieces, three of which were sold during the event.

“I’ve been sketching since primary school. But when I started Form 1, that’s when St Jude’s launched the Student Art Program. That’s when I got to try acrylics and paint on canvas. It really changed everything for me,” shares Denis. 

“I am happy that people appreciate my work. My dream is to have my own gallery and studio one day, so I also loved seeing the event come together from behind-the-scenes.”

Each student receives a 10% commission from their original artwork sale, with the remaining 90% reinvested back into the Student Art Program to provide quality materials, resources, and creative opportunities. As for Denis, he used part of his earnings to purchase new art supplies, put some away in savings, and shared the remainder with his family.

“When I’m doing art, I feel like I’m in another universe. Being able to share my work with others and knowing they love it is a very good feeling. I hope to sell more pieces in the future,” he adds.

Thanks to the event’s success, Jane is confident it will open the door for many more art exhibitions in the future.

“Events like this play a big part in supporting and developing the skills of our student artists, while giving supporters the opportunity to have a little piece of St Jude’s in their own home,” says Jane.

“We’re excited to keep creating opportunities where our students can grow, express themselves, and shine, and with so much talent at St Jude’s, we’re just getting started.”