2019 will see a much anticipated, major milestone for mini传媒. 24 tertiary scholars, supported by the Beyond St Jude鈥檚 (BSJ) program, are giving themselves the best chance of a bright future by graduating from universities across Tanzania.
Just four years after graduating from Form 6 at St Jude鈥檚, and completing the Community Service Year as part of the BSJ program, these future leaders are setting the example for over 2,000 St Jude鈥檚 students, interns and scholars that will follow in their footsteps.
For 25-year-old Baba, until he joined St Jude鈥檚 in 2013 graduating from university was only a pipe dream when he was growing up in his traditional and remote Maasai boma (a group of huts made of mud and sticks).
Speaking from his tutorial hall at the University of Dar es Salaam, one of the most respected tertiary education institutions in Tanzania, it鈥檚 a stark contrast to the shy boy of just five years earlier who only knew a few words of English when he started at St Jude鈥檚 in Form 5.
鈥淚 have been able to give my family hope. The St Jude鈥檚 environment, and now university life, couldn鈥檛 be more different to the Maasai land I call home. The learning techniques at university are very similar to St Jude鈥檚 so it really helped with the transition. My favourite part of university is being able to engage with different professionals,鈥� Baba beamed.
When Baba walks across the graduation stage in November to receive his Bachelor of Science with Education, he really will be breaking new ground for his family, community and mini传媒.
With a future now full of possibilities, Baba plans to use his degree to keep other young Tanzanians in school. On average, 74% of Tanzanian children are not in secondary school and Baba is passionate to change that. With his degree, he has every chance of being able to drive change in his country.
鈥淚 love teaching mathematics. I still feel very connected to St Jude鈥檚 and I would love the chance to become a teacher there in the future,鈥� Baba shared.
Fellow tertiary scholar, Anna, completes her Bachelor of Commerce and Accounting this year after passing a series of final exams beginning this month. She鈥檚 also a trailblazer, forging a new path for Tanzanian women.
鈥淗ome was really tough, I lived with my parents and three siblings. My family is very proud, especially my father and he just can鈥檛 wait for me to graduate. I have been able to help my sisters; they have reached Form 6 with my help. I never thought I would be graduating university, but I wished for it very much,鈥� Anna said.
Now 25 years old, Anna was among the brightest in her government primary school but, like so many children in Tanzania, the cost of a good secondary education was beyond her family鈥檚 means until she was given the opportunity to attend St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淚 have friends that I went to government school with and some of them live on the street with no secondary education and they are struggling. Many of them wished to continue school but couldn鈥檛 because they didn鈥檛 have anyone to support them. I have also sadly had a few friends that have fallen into drugs after having a very hard life,鈥� Anna said quietly.
Instead, Anna has thrived at university and continues the career counselling she began at St Jude鈥檚. It has helped her to understand how best to use her major in Accounting and she now plans to become an auditor, a much sought-after job in Tanzania.
鈥淏eing at university in Dar es Salaam I have visited offices and organisations I never thought I would reach; it鈥檚 been an emotional transformation. Coming to university independently, but with the support of St Jude鈥檚 and my sponsor, has made me a stronger person,鈥� Anna explained.
Both Anna and Baba couldn鈥檛 be prouder to be part of the first Beyond St Jude鈥檚 cohort graduating from university. They are defying the odds because less than 5% of tertiary-aged Tanzanians are enrolled in university.
St Jude鈥檚 mission has always been to educate poor, bright students to become leaders in Tanzania and this upcoming milestone makes Anna, Baba and their cohort of tertiary graduates exactly that!
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