mini传媒

On 9 January, there are 51 new faces at St Jude鈥檚 Primary School; the most recently enrolled students in Standard 1 and 2 (the first two years of primary). Sporting brand new school uniforms and radiant smiles, you can easily spot them in the playground during morning tea and lunch, excitedly trying one game after another. 

鈥淚 was amazed at the soccer field,鈥� says Tonny*, a Standard 1 student at St Jude鈥檚. 

Like many Tanzanian students, Tonny鈥檚 favourite sport is soccer. Back at his former school, there was just one soccer ball for the entire school and during break time, everyone scrambled for it. With many games and sports options at St Jude鈥檚, Tonny can choose to have fun in a variety of ways. 

鈥淭he playground is full of exciting games,鈥� says Tonny. 鈥淪ometimes, I like swinging on the swings and sometimes I play soccer with my friends,鈥� he admits. 

As the recipient of a St Jude鈥檚 scholarship, Tonny is receiving everything he needs for a successful education 鈥� the tuition of experienced teachers, school uniforms, safe bus transport, stationery, textbooks, extracurricular activities, daily morning tea and hot lunch, access to a well-stocked library and up-to-date computer labs.

鈥淚 have seen a lot of interesting books at the library,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd the music and art rooms are great,鈥� he adds excitedly. In class, Tonny鈥檚 favourite subject is mathematics.

For Miss Julieth, a Standard 1 teacher, watching students like Tonny explore their curiosity and passion is a fulfilling sight to see. 

鈥淚 have been a teacher at St Jude鈥檚 for over 10 years now,鈥� says Miss Julieth. 鈥淢y experience with new students keeps getting better and better,鈥� she adds passionately. 

Miss Julieth is particularly excited about this year鈥檚 Standard 1 and 2 students. The more she gets to know her students, the more she is impressed with their potential and excited about their future.

鈥淭hey learn and adapt very quickly, both in class and outside,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 can tell they are having the time of their lives,鈥� she adds. 

Although Tonny has always enjoyed school, St Jude鈥檚 has become his new favourite place. He is not only looking forward to learning new things at school, but he enjoys the experience of going and coming from school as well. 

 鈥淏ack at my old school, I used to walk to and from school every day,鈥� says Tonny. 鈥淏ut now I am jumping on the school bus.鈥� 

Like Tonny, the rest of his classmates in Standard 1 and 2 are slowly finding their way around St Jude鈥檚, curiously feeding their minds with all the resources available at the school. With guidance from teachers like Miss Julieth, and support from St Jude鈥檚 global community of supporters, these students are well on the path to becoming the moral and intellectual leaders that their country needs. 

*Tonny has only been learning English for three weeks, so his responses here are translated from Kiswahili.