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.”

From curiosity to computer science

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is DSC00174-1024x683.jpg — **Innovative solution:** Joseph developed a system that tracks and automates St Jude’s parking fees.

When Joseph joined St Jude’s in 2018 as a Form 1 student, he never predicted that a simple break-time conversation with friends would spark a passion that would shape his future.

“A group of students were talking about Java, a programming tool I’d never heard of. I’m the kind of person who looks things up if I don’t understand them. So, I went to the library and started reading everything I could about computers,” recalls Joseph, who graduated in the Class of 2024.

Before joining St Jude’s, Joseph completed his primary education at a local government school in Arusha, where computers were something he’d only ever seen from afar.

“I had never even touched a computer before coming to St Jude’s. I’d only seen them in movies and on screens, where they looked really cool. I just fell in love with them,” he says.

Eager to learn more, Joseph began teaching himself the basics of programming, using every resource he could find in the school library.

“The books I was reading were all in English, and I was still learning the language at that time. But I just kept going. I really fell in love with it and continued to teach myself,” he says.

Fast forward to today, and Joseph’s passion has come full circle. As part of his Community Service Year (CSY) - where Form 6 graduates have the opportunity to take part in a year of community service - he is volunteering in St Jude’s Corporate Applications team, using his skills to tackle real-world challenges and help improve internal systems at the school.

One of his most impressive contributions has been the development of an automatic system that tracks and manages government parking fees; a crucial task for St Jude’s, which operates a fleet of more than 30 vehicles.

“When the school buses park outside the school, the government charges a parking fee. Previously, staff had to manually check each plate number online to calculate the monthly charges. This was a time-consuming job, especially with so many vehicles to manage,” explains Joseph.

Now, thanks to his innovation, the system now automatically retrieves all St Jude’s bus plate numbers from the government portal and generates a report – saving valuable time and reducing the risk of errors.

“We’ve been improving it based on feedback. I keep refining it with input from the team. I’m now working on how to store the data for the records,” adds Joseph.

With his CSY wrapping up in July, Joseph has his sights set on tertiary studies in computer science or financial technology, with plans to eventually merge the two fields.

“The CSY program has been amazing. I’m learning so much, and it’s opened up a lot of opportunities," he says.

“Doing CSY at the place where my passion for computers began, and being able to give back using the skills I’ve developed from my time here, is very rewarding. I’m excited for what the future will bring.”

**The start of it all:** It was within the gates of St Jude’s that Joseph’s passion for computer programming was sparked.

Q&A with alum and entrepreneur, David

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is David-alum-1024x682.jpg — **Innovation in action:** Alum David took out first place in the pitching competition at Arusha Innovation Week, earning himself a spot at the national finals in Dar es Salaam

A group of St Jude’s students and alumni recently participated in Arusha Innovation Week, joining changemakers across the region to tackle real-world challenges with bold ideas. Among them was David, an alum who won first place in the event’s prestigious pitching competition for his award-winning innovation - organic fertilisers made from human hair - earning him a spot at the national finals in Dar es Salaam this month.

How did it feel to win first place at the pitching at Arusha Innovation Week?

Really great! I was very happy when they announced I had won. I love what I’m doing and I’m always thinking about ways I can share it with more people. There were 13 people in the pitching competition. We each did a two-minute pitch in front of the panel. I prepared a pitch deck the day before. The same event also happened in many regions across Tanzania, and all the regional winners will meet in Dar es Salaam for the final competition on 12 May.

What do you think is the key to delivering a successful pitch?

Make sure you connect with both the audience and the panel. You can do this by having a strong opening that makes your pitch stand out. I do this by starting with a question or coming up with an engaging opening line. This gets their attention immediately. I also talk about the most important thing first as time is limited. The rest of the information can always be put into the Q&A.

What was the most exciting and memorable part of the competition experience?

So many things!I loved seeing everybody’s different ideas. The audience was full of innovation experts, and I got to meet them all afterwards. I was also so happy to see people supporting young innovators. Young people need a platform to show their ideas.

What are you most looking forward to about the next stage in Dar es Salaam?

There is going to be a big space to exhibit everyone’s ideas, and we will get to meet lots of people from different organisations and institutions. It’s also being held in the same place where, seven years ago, we competed in a national science competition after showcasing this very project at St Jude’s Science Fair. There, we came second among secondary schools from across Tanzania. So, it’s going to be a very full-circle moment.

We recently had St Jude’s Science Fair in April. What advice would you give to young aspiring innovators?

As a young mind, you have to think of future problems. Try to identify the problems that people might face in the future, not just the ones we see today. And keep going! You’ll always be happy waking up to something you love doing.

**Cheering champions:** Students and alumni joined changemakers across the region to tackle real-world challenges with bold ideas at Arusha Innovation Week.

Behind the scenes of our Annual Science Day!

It’s no secret that the Annual Science Day has become a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, and this year’s event was no exception! Now in its 15th year, the day brought together students to present both individual and group projects that not only highlighted their expertise in science, ICT, and maths, but also provided creative solutions to some of today’s most pressing global challenges.

With nearly half the student body participating, many focused on pioneering renewable energy solutions like solar power and biogas, pushing us closer to a sustainable future.

Take a closer look at the remarkable projects from this year’s Science Day and see how these young innovators are shaping the world of tomorrow.

**Sustainable solutions**: Students showcasing the inner workings of their smart irrigation system, designed to automatically detect soil dryness and trigger irrigation when needed.

**Creative impact:** Students worked diligently to tackle real-world problems, with this team creating an innovative solution that recycles plastic waste into durable bricks, helping to address environmental waste and turning it into a practical, everyday resource.

**Reimagining materials**: Creativity comes in many forms, as demonstrated by these artists who crafted this stunning piece entirely from recycled plastic bottle caps, highlighting the endless possibilities of reusing materials in art.

**Bright minds, bold ideas**: With so many incredible innovations and bright ideas on display, our judges had a tough time narrowing down the finalists. Every project brought something unique, creative, and impactful to the table!

**Smart solutions**: This invention features an automatic flush system with sensor detection, designed to enhance hygiene and prevent waterborne diseases through touchless operation.

**Winners are grinners:** Taking top prize for their AI automated home system, a forward-thinking project that impressed judges with its innovative use of smart technology.

Fueling change through freedom

**Fueling Change Makers**: BSJSP Tertiary scholars graduate from university debt-free, allowing them to embark on transformative careers and entrepreneurial endeavours.

Completing university is a momentous achievement, but for many Tanzanian graduates, it's just the beginning of a new financial struggle. The cost of a tertiary education often necessitates student loans, saddling graduates with debt that can take eight to nine years to repay, with significant and immediate salary deductions ranging from 15% to 25%[1].

This financial burden puts immense pressure on graduates to find employment in a challenging job market. As a result, most of them enter the workforce with enormous stress and anxiety, affecting their career choices and life decisions down the line.

BSJSP graduates, on the other hand, have a different experience. As recipients of a BSJSP tertiary scholarship, they enter the workforce completely debt-free. This is in addition to years' worth of valuable skills developed in the Community Service program and knowledge through tailored mentorship and support from the Beyond St Jude’s teams. Consequently, they are better positioned to confidently pursue fulfilling careers, launch businesses, support their families, and give back to their communities.

**Fueling Change Through Freedom**: David, a St Jude's alum and BSJSP Tertiary scholar in his last year of university, is a leading entrepreneur with a booming hair recycling start-up.

"With free, quality education at St Jude's from primary school up to Advanced Level studies and a full Tertiary scholarship courtesy of BSJSP, I am able to complete my education debt-free. This allows me to dare and pursue my recycling business without worrying about loan repayments." – David, BSJSP Tertiary scholar (watch his story here).

The Tanzanian Education System

There are three key stages of school in Tanzania: seven years of primary school from Standards 1 to 7, then four years of secondary school from Forms 1 to 4 in Ordinary Level (O Level) studies, and finally, the final two years of secondary school, Form 5 and 6 in Advanced Level (A Level) studies.

Students who successfully complete Form 6 are eligible to pursue higher education at university, but the financial burden can be significant. Securing a government loan becomes highly competitive due to budgetary constraints and a growing applicant pool. A recent study by the World Bank indicates a decline in government funding for higher education, even though the demand is expected to double by 2030[2].

The Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program (BSJSP)

In 2015, St Jude's launched the BSJSP. This is an optional program for our secondary school graduates to help them start the next stage of their lives. The BSJSP is available after the completion of each stage to both Form 4 and Form 6 graduates.

Once accepted into the BSJSP, our students undertake Community Service placements, volunteering in understaffed government schools, or various placements throughout St Jude's.

This experience not only strengthens their skills but also equips them with valuable knowledge, preparing them for success in higher education pursuits. After successfully completing their volunteer placements, they go on to access higher education supported by St Jude's sponsors and donors. Since its launch in 2015, over 112,000 government secondary school students have benefitted from our Community Service volunteers teaching core subjects like science and math.

The BSJSP vs the Tanzanian Government's Higher Education Students' Loans Board (HESLB)

While both programs support tertiary students financially, the BSJSP offers significant advantages:

All these factors add up to give our Tertiary scholars a better start in life, setting them up for success in their future endeavours.

**Financial Implication:** A side-by-side comparison between Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program and a government student loan in the first three years of tertiary education.

Fueling Change Through Freedom

The benefits of the BSJSP extend far beyond the individual graduates. Nearly 100% of BSJSP graduates are the first in their families to reach tertiary education. By entering the workforce debt-free, they have greater financial security to invest in their professional development or pursue entrepreneurial ventures.

Our survey shows a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit among BSJSP graduates. For every 10 of our graduates, one launches a business. Those who opt to enter the job market have an employment rate 10 times better than the national average, with many supporting their siblings' education and improving their families' living conditions.

Invest in the future of Tanzania. Support the Beyond St Jude's Scholarship Program and fuel the next generation of changemakers. Donate today to fuel change through freedom!

[1] Tanzania’s Higher Education Students’ Loans Board

[2] World Bank Report (2021)

Broadening horizons through holistic education

**Beyond Academics**: St Jude’s holistic approach to education exposes students to diverse opportunities across various disciplines.

Every year, St Jude’s enrols hundreds of students from underprivileged families throughout Tanzania at primary and secondary school levels. All of our new students undergo a full health check to ensure they are healthy enough to make the most out of the free, quality education provided by the school. This is repeated annually throughout their time at school.

This annual health check not only identifies existing health issues among our students but also allows the school to tailor support for those with specific needs. This support may include medications, special dietary plans, or additional educational support to help students catch up when their health impacts their learning.

Studies have shown a clear link between good health and educational outcomes. A common problem such as worm infection, for example, can have a significant impact on a student’s cognitive function and physical development, ultimately hindering their ability to learn.[1]

Proper nutrition is also critical to a student's wellbeing and academic performance. It is a cost-effective investment, with studies indicating a US$9 return for every US$1 invested in school feeding programs.[2]

St Jude’s provides over 1 million hot meals yearly to its 1,800 students and more than 300 staff members. These meals were carefully planned to meet the nutritional requirements of growing children, including a variety of fruits and vegetables. Our students consistently report feeling energised and focused throughout the school day, leading to improved academic performance. This is consistent with data from the World Food Program, which indicates that school feeding programs can lead to a 3-4% increase in test scores.

**A Holistic Approach**: St Jude’s model ensures overall student wellbeing by using a holistic approach to education.

Opportunity through Holistic Education

While it’s hard to overstate the impact of education on students, the results vary wildly. Because despite education being the primary indicator for personal success and economic growth[3], individuals often struggle to turn their knowledge into tangible benefits for themselves and their communities.

In Tanzania for instance, the chances of landing a job within the first year of graduating university is merely 5-8%. This reality calls for an intentional model that empowers students to fuel change either by making use of available opportunities or creating the opportunities themselves.

This is why a holistic approach to education is key to the St Jude’s model. It broadens our students’ horizons and provides them with the necessary skills that help them to better compete in the employment market or pave the way to their entrepreneurship journey.

Consider Long’ida, a St Jude’s Form 5 student. Long’ida isn’t just pursuing academic studies. He is also a part of the agriculture club at school and leads a student-run initiative to grow vegetables on the school’s farm.

**Broadening Horizons**: Long’ida explores his passion for agriculture and entrepreneurship at St Jude’s.

Annual school events such as the Science Day exhibitions further showcase the power of this approach. At the most recent Science Day, students showcased their ingenuity by developing a working bean sorter, an automatic stamping machine, and a clothes dryer. These projects not only demonstrate their technical skills but also cultivate a spirit of innovation and problem-solving that will benefit them throughout their lives.

As a result, our tertiary graduates are competitive in the Tanzanian job market. A growing number of St Jude’s alumni are also starting their businesses, fueling economic growth not just for their families but also for their communities through job creation. These exceptional results demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit and self-reliance fostered by the school's holistic approach.

[1] A 2013 case study by WHO in Kenya

[2] World Food Programme (2023)

[3] The World Bank

Fueling Change from the Ground Up

**Removing Barriers**: With your help, St Jude's approach to access in education addresses key pain points in the students' education journey.

Education is the right of every child. Yet, there are still millions of school-aged children globally without access to education because of various barriers. In Tanzania, for example, the general population of adults aged 25 and above only averages 5.8 years of formal education.

Parents are expected to make significant contributions to aid their child's education. This includes food costs, security, examination fees, stationery, and sometimes even remedial classes. Students are expected to walk to and from school, spending more than an hour and a half every day, or parents pay additional transport or boarding fees.

"I'm so grateful for St Jude's. She goes to school and stays in safe hands. The burden of childcare expense has been reduced." – Mamma Ruth (watch her story here)

Even when the challenge of school fees is managed, dropout rates remain high. This underscores the reality that access to education is a complex issue extending beyond just financial barriers, such as tuition.

St Jude's model for holistic education

St Jude's leads with a clearly defined theory of change that addresses key pain points in the 'student's educational journey. Whilst tuition fees are a significant barrier for many, other hidden costs create additional burdens for families. [GN5] Thanks to our wonderful supporters, St Jude's approach goes beyond simply removing one barrier; it addresses the entire educational experience.

A recent study estimated annual student expenses, excluding boarding fees, to be around US$140 - a significant burden for the 75% of Tanzania's population living below US$3.20 per day. This forces families to make difficult choices, often put in the position to sacrifice the education of their children for basic necessities.

With your help, St Jude's goes beyond simply offering free tuition. Together, we provide a comprehensive scholarship program that overcomes hidden barriers. It covers not only tuition, but also:

• Safe and reliable transportation: This eliminates the burden and risk of long commutes, ensuring students arrive at school ready to learn.

• School uniforms and essential learning materials: These are provided, removing financial stress and promoting a sense of community and belonging.

• Boarding accommodation and nutritious meals: St Jude's provides a safe and supportive environment, promoting well-being and focus on studies.

This approach to access is producing exceptional results. St Jude's maintains a 100% completion for its students with an impressive gender balance ratio.

**Fueling Change Through Access**: St Jude's theory of change to overcoming barriers to education.

Access through boarding and transportation

St Jude's provides boarding accommodation for 80% of its students. This includes a dedicated boarding facility for girls opened in 2020 with a capacity for over 400 boarders. The boarding program fosters academic success through a structured environment. It includes:

• Physical exercise sessions: Promoting physical and mental well-being.

• Dedicated study time: Allowing focused learning without distractions.

• Access to sports facilities: Encouraging healthy competition and teamwork.

• Buddy system: Pairing new students with experienced students for a smooth transition.

"When I was a day scholar, my schedule was so busy because I had to help at home! But now that I’m boarding, I get a lot more time for my schoolwork." – Fatuma, Form 1 student (watch her story here)

Lack of access to boarding can be a huge barrier to academic performance, particularly for girls who are often expected to contribute significantly to household chores and childcare, taking away from study time and impacting their overall academic achievement. Boarding schools provide a safe space where girls can focus on their education without the burden of household responsibilities.

**Fueling Access**: St Jude's model provides positive outcomes for both students and their families.

St Jude's boarding program ensures the students get sufficient sleep and rest, and thereby, the energy to face the demands of schooling. Our boarding routines and schedules make getting seven to eight hours of sleep certain, proven to support crucial memory retention and academic performance.

St Jude's fleet of 25 buses alleviates long commutes. It reduces the walking distance of students by almost 8,500km per week, relieving pressure from students sacrificing early hours of sleep to walk to school.

With your help, the St Jude's model tackles the barriers to education, providing a safe and supportive environment that fosters academic success! It serves as a powerful example of how a comprehensive approach to education can fuel positive change, breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future.