鈥淚 want to be remembered as a productive member of St Jude鈥檚 community. I want people to recognise that I am from St Jude鈥檚 even if I will be somewhere else,鈥� explains Sefu about the legacy he would like to leave behind.
Sefu joined Standard 1 at St Jude鈥檚 in 2009. Currently, he鈥檚 taking part in a Community Service Year (CSY) as a volunteer, to give back to the community in appreciation of the free education he has received.
鈥淭his year, I volunteered to travel outside Arusha to distribute scholarship application invitation letters for Form 1 and Form 5,鈥� says Sefu.
鈥淲hat drives me to support the school is the appreciation I have for receiving full support from the school to help me get closer to my dreams,鈥� adds Sefu.
Launched in 2020, St Jude鈥檚 Spirit Program recognises students, staff, families, the local community, and international supporters who go above and beyond to support the school either financially or non-financially.
鈥淎part from distributing letters and helping out during Scholarship Application Days, I鈥檝e also been volunteering my time to teach Scouts at St Jude鈥檚 Secondary School and sharing my skills in different sports activities,鈥� says Sefu.
鈥淢y aspiration in life is to one day be successful and be able to sponsor a student here at St Jude鈥檚 so I can transform their lives just like mine was. But for now, I鈥檓 donating a certain amount to the school. In a small way, I would like to do my part and work together with other alumni to ensure the school leaves a lasting impact on education in Tanzania,鈥� adds Sefu.
Just like Sefu, Daudi is proof that education changes lives. He鈥檚 currently volunteering his skills and providing financial support. 鈥淓very month I sacrifice a portion of my Beyond St Jude鈥檚 stipend to support the school,鈥� explains Daudi who is also a CSY volunteer.
Donations made by alumni go to the school鈥檚 Unsponsored Student Fund.
鈥淕iving makes me feel satisfied. I feel that I鈥檓 blessed to have been given this opportunity and I can help others and have an impact in their lives,鈥� he adds.
Daudi, who can鈥檛 wait to start higher education later this year, is ready and excited for his future and the next stage of his academic journey. 鈥淚 have applied for a Bachelor in Project Planning Management as my priority, a Bachelor of Agri-Business and Resource Management as my second priority and the third is a Bachelor of Sports Science because I enjoy teaching sports,鈥� says Daudi.
Both Daudi and Sefu are going above and beyond to support the school financially and non-financially, paying it forward while leaving a lasting impact and carrying on St Jude鈥檚 legacy as they move on to their next stages of lives.
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