More than 1700 students spilled through the St Jude鈥檚 gates early on a Saturday morning.
Underprivileged youngsters escorted by their parents to wait in the crowd as early as 6.30am, with testing to enter Standard 1 (Grade 1) at St Jude鈥檚 set to begin at 8am.
The mass of excited, giggling children came through the school in groups, a logistical challenge for our staff who were on-hand to direct them through the process
Just after 3pm the children had all been tested, with 108 meeting the English, maths, science and age requirements.
It鈥檚 the start of a long, arduous process that defines what St Jude鈥檚 is about.
鈥淲e would love to give everyone in Arusha a scholarship to St Jude鈥檚, but, unfortunately that鈥檚 just not possible,鈥� school founder Gemma Sisia said.
鈥淪o we鈥檝e spent years refining our student selection process to ensure it鈥檚 a fair, effective and thorough process that guarantees worthy and deserving families are receiving the benefit of a St Jude鈥檚 education.
鈥淏y helping the families that need it most we鈥檙e able to break the cycle of poverty by providing a free, high-quality education.鈥�
By the time the weekly tests finish in November we will have tested an estimated 10,000 students, according to Community Relations Manager Charlotte Peyrat-Vaganay.
With only 150 spots available in St Jude鈥檚 each year it is essential we get the selection process right.
Our Community Relations team will spend the next three months visiting the homes of students who pass the academic test to ensure they pass the strict poverty requirements.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very tough job but it is essential that we get it right,鈥� Charlotte explained.
鈥淲e need to make sure we are finding the people who need our help the most.
鈥淲hen the students have been selected and you see the difference it makes for their families, it is worth it.鈥�
St Jude's wouldn't be able to accept 150 new students each year without new sponsors. Find out more about聽sponsoring聽one of our students.
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