Soaring to new heights

**Record high:** This year’s ceremony marked the largest yet, with 121 alumni celebrating their tertiary graduation.

Earlier this month, The School of St Jude shone in hues of gold, blue, white and red as 121 proud tertiary graduates tossed their caps high into the air during the 2025 Beyond St Jude’s Recognition Ceremony.

The annual event recognises alumni who have completed diploma or degree programs at higher learning institutions across Tanzania and beyond, marking the transition from student to professional for dozens of young changemakers.

Established in 2022, the Beyond St Jude’s Recognition Ceremony has become a key part of the school’s calendar, giving tertiary graduates the chance to return to St Jude’s and celebrate, with their family and friends, in the place where it all began.

This year’s ceremony was the biggest yet, bringing together 121 alumni, including 10 new medical doctors.

Student speaker, Alfred, who is graduating as a medical doctor, expressed his gratitude to those who made the journey possible, from Founding Director Gemma Sisia to parents and guardians, sponsors, donors and academic teams.

“We are gathered not only as graduates of universities across Tanzania and beyond, but as proud sons and daughters of The School of St Jude, where our journey began and where our hearts will always return. We are proud to say that St Jude’s alumni are now in every corner of Tanzania where change is needed. We are proof that education, when wrapped in love and service, can break the cycle of poverty,” he says.

**We made it:** Graduates danced their way into the ceremony with bright smiles on their faces.

Guest of Honour, Prudence Masako, Country Director for CARE International in Tanzania, inspired graduates to remain lifelong learners and agents of change.

“Be life-long learners, the world is changing fast. Don’t let your degree be the end of your learning; let it be the beginning. Read widely, ask questions, seek mentors and never, never stop growing. Success is measured not by what you earn but by the differences you make. Serve your family, your community and your country. Tanzania needs your leadership, your innovation and your courage,” she says.

Mussa, Beyond St Jude’s Scholarship Program and Career Development Programs Manager, echoed this message, reminding graduates to hold onto the school’s core values: Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Kindness.

**Inspiring insight:** Guest of Honour, Prudence Masako addressed the graduates with words of wisdom and advice for their future paths.

“You have walked a long journey to reach this day. You have faced challenges, made sacrifices and pushed through moments of doubt. Yet, here you are: strong, prepared and ready for the next chapter of your lives. At The School of St Jude, we do not just measure success in certificates, but in the leaders, problem-solvers and changemakers we send out into the world. You are now ambassadors of this great institution. Tanzania, and the wider world, needs your brilliance, compassion and determination. Go, and make us all proud,” he says.

From promoting hand hygiene to building a library

Emmanuel, Form 4 graduate from the Class of 2020, is no stranger to innovation. The last time we caught up with him, he had developed his own automatic handwashing system to tackle hygiene challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, he’s taken his vision even further, turning local solutions into projects that impact communities across Africa.

**On the international stage:** Emmanuel received the Davis Peace Prize in early 2024, an award that helped him establish the peace Library in Zanzibar.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, at just 18 years old, he saw the urgent need for clean water and proper hygiene to protect his community's health. Driven by his passion for children’s rights and a safe environment, he created a foot-operated handwashing machine to reduce hand contact and limit germ transmission.

His invention led to the installation of over 400 handwashing machines across northern Tanzania, significantly promoting better hygiene and helping to reduce the spread of the virus. This innovative effort quickly caught UNICEF’s attention, leading to his appointment as a youth ambassador, expanding his mission of improving health access and awareness.

Soon after, he was named one of 9 Young African Activists to Look Out for in 2022 by Global Citizen, furthering his advocacy horizon.

**Inspiring others**: Emmanuel is a UNICEF youth ambassador, which has helped expand his mission of improving health access and awareness.

“It was an incredible honor that motivated me to keep pushing for change. This recognition opened doors for partnerships and collaborations, allowing him to scale his impact and inspire more youth to take action,” he says.

With the success of his handwashing machine, he went on to establish a community library under his peace project. The Peace Library in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar was established by Emmanuel, thanks to the Davis Peace Prize that he won in early 2024, and support from the Assalam Foundation.

**Giving back**: Emmanuel has returned to St Jude’s in recent years to share his knowledge and expertise with students.

“The idea for the library was fueled by my conviction that peace education begins with accessible knowledge. I envisioned a vibrant space where students could explore peace, leadership, and advocacy, equipping them to become peace ambassadors in their communities and fostering long-term social change,” he says.

Emmanuel describes it as more than just a library; it’s a thriving space where children can learn, connect with their cultural roots, and build community. With a theater hall that accommodates over 400 people, the library hosts gatherings, events, and features screens displaying educational resources, opening doors to knowledge and connections beyond Zanzibar.

His mission? “I want to inspire African youth to create change,” he says.

Through workshops and public speaking, he reaches young people across the continent, rallying them to advocate for climate, education, and peace. His journey is a call to St Jude’s alumni, showing the impact they can have in leading Africa forward.

Q&A with primary teacher, Ms Janeth

Every year on 5 October the world recognises the vital role teachers play in shaping future generations as we celebrate World Teachers’ Day. At St Jude’s, this day is one of our favourites on the calendar, as we proudly honour the dedication and passion of all our teachers who inspire students to dream big.

We value every contribution and the hard work our teachers pour into helping students thrive. Recently, we caught up with Ms Janeth, one of our primary school English teachers, to hear more about her passion for teaching.

**Celebrating our teachers:** Primary school English teacher, Ms Janeth, shares what she loves most about teaching at St Jude’s.

Growing up, did you always want to become a teacher?

Yes, I always wanted to be a teacher because I always wanted to see young children grow and achieve their dreams. I have been teaching for 10 years now, and I am still happy to see my students growing, something that I have always dreamt about.

What is the most interesting thing about working at St Jude’s?

Nurturing students from the beginning and helping students to perform well. It’s always great to see them progressing and learning new things about the world around them.

Why is it important to celebrate World Teachers’ Day?

It is very important to recognise the hard work of teachers and see the challenges that we are going through. I am lucky to work in a wonderful team of teachers and I am happy to be appreciated.

What advice would you give to aspiring teachers?

Love the job! Because teaching is a calling, and being a teacher, you should always be committed, since teaching is endless learning.

Kiswahili word of the month

JAMII

[jah-MEE-ee] Noun. Singular

The word Jamii means community. It represents the idea of people coming together, supporting one another, and sharing a common purpose or identity. At St Jude’s, the spirit of Jamii is everywhere. No more so than this month, when the entire St Jude’s community of 1,800 students and 350+ staff gathered on the campus to celebrate St Jude’s Day. It is one of the biggest and most anticipated events on the school calendar, and it is a reminder of our shared mission and vision.

**Living in unity:** Celebrations like St Jude’s Day are a perfect example of *Jamii* in action.

History

While Jamii is a common Swahili word used across East Africa, its meaning has grown over time. Traditionally, it referred to villages or neighbourhoods where people relied on one another for daily life and survival. Today, Jamii extends beyond physical locations to any group bonded by shared purpose, values, or experiences. In places like St Jude’s, it represents the modern idea of a supportive, inclusive community.

How to use the word …

The school garden project showed real Jamii, with everyone pitching in to help.
The spirit of Jamii was seen when students helped each other in class.
Everyone enjoyed a sense of Jamii during the lunch time activities.

Threads of opportunity

When American Rotarian Linda first read about a Rotary project in India teaching women life skills to support their families, it sparked an idea: what if she could bring the same opportunity to students at The School of St Jude?

“I love to sew, and maybe The School of St Jude would be interested in having a sewing machine to teach students to sew,” says Linda.

The timing couldn’t have been better. St Jude’s Founder, Gemma Sisia, had recently added sewing machines to the school’s donation wish list. Having learned to sew herself, Gemma knew firsthand how valuable this skill could be.

What started as a plan to donate a single sewing machine quickly became more ambitious. With the support of her Rapid City Rushmore Rotary Club in South Dakota, Linda secured the first machine. However, after enlisting the support of her family, notably her brother, a member of the Scottsbluff/Gehring Rotary Club in Nebraska, she was able to donate a second machine as well.

**Making a difference**: Linda travelled to St Jude’s in 2024 to present to two sewing machines to students and staff.

In 2024, Linda had the opportunity to visit St Jude’s campus in Arusha, Tanzania, to present the sewing machines to students and staff in person. Before her arrival, the school had recruited two teachers to train students in sewing, including practical skills like mending their uniforms.

This initiative has empowered the school’s 1,800 students to repair uniforms internally, extending the impact of the donation far beyond the initial gift.

“The sewing machines are the gift that keeps giving as the students learn a new skill and the uniforms are repaired,” she says.

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:

12–13 October: Nashville, TN
14–16 October: Louisville, KY (on October 15, they will visit to partner school Louisville Collegiate School)
17–19 October: Washington, D.C. area (The public can hear their presentation at a 10am church service on 19 October at the Bethesda Methodist Church)
20–22 October: Greensboro/Durham/ Winston-Salem, NC (Events will be held on 22 October at the Greensboro Day School, another partner school in Greensboro, NC).
24 October: Salem, NH (Gemma Sisia will be the guest speaker at the Salem Rotary Club. More than 400 Rotary Clubs around the world have members who are sponsors of The School of St Jude students)
25 October: Boston, MA area (final stop of the tour).

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.

Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to want to lead this program?

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.

Tell us a bit about the Spoken English Immersion Program and the goal of the program?

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.

What can people expect when participating in the 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.

What are you most looking forward to about running this program in 2026?

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.

What are the prerequisites required to volunteer in this program?

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.

Applications are now closed for 2026. Can people register their interest for 2027?

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.