Amani is known to many as a, 鈥済entle, social and intelligent,鈥� young man.聽
He first came to St Jude鈥檚 12 years ago as a bright-eyed 10-year-old from a large local orphanage and has called St Jude鈥檚 鈥榟ome鈥� ever since.聽
Amani is one of 23 St Jude鈥檚 graduates volunteering their time to give back to the local community through our Beyond St Jude鈥檚 Program.聽
The kind and thoughtful intern is currently working in our Beyond St Jude鈥檚鈥� office.聽
"Beyond St Jude鈥檚 is the bridge between The School and the students in Form 6, the current interns and those now studying at university,鈥� Amani said.
Amani ensures the transition for graduates between school life and the real world is a smooth one. He also does his best to keep past students connected through the聽alumni page.
Growing up in the orphanage, Amani lived with other children, who he affectionately calls his, 鈥榖rothers and sisters.鈥� 聽
Many of them also attend St Jude鈥檚.聽
When asked how he feels about their different career paths and the future, he revealed he鈥檚 nervous.聽
鈥淲hen I think about it, it really pains me. We have grown up together for so many years, shared many happy moments; will they have the same warm, loving home? Will they be with people that are kind and love them, take them the way they are and support them?鈥�
The advice he offers his siblings?
鈥淗ard work pays off, as long as you work hard you will be prosperous鈥�.
Amani鈥檚 role models include school founder, Gemma, without whose support, he says, he would not be 鈥榓s much of a person,鈥� as he is today.聽
鈥淪he has shown me that I can also be a help to those I don鈥檛 know, those I鈥檝e never even met in my life. Building a school like this does more than just educate people but raise them, give them a place where they can not only focus and plan their future but actually see it forming in front of their eyes.聽She could have done many other things, she had a family of her own but she chose to come to Africa and help us.鈥�
Amani鈥檚 fondest memory?
Graduation day 2016.
鈥淚 saw my sponsor, who congratulated me. The night after my graduation, I remember reflecting鈥� I realised I had made the biggest step of my life. I tried to find the language to thank the school and my sponsor but I couldn鈥檛 find the words. I couldn鈥檛 wait to come back to the school for my internship. I am so proud of the day I graduated.鈥�
When asked what he will miss most about his year of community service, he replied, 鈥渕y lovely team. If I meet another team like them I will live the best life ever.鈥澛�
Amani is one of six St Jude鈥檚 scholars who attained a scholarship through the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the African Leadership Academy.
Later this year he will be moving to Zimbabwe to study Education at Africa University.聽
'The future' has finally arrived! Stroll down memory lane and hear a very young Amani share his love for mini传媒.聽
You can help a student like Amani to reach their dreams!聽Sponsor a student today.聽
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