Quotes amended in parts for best sense.
Some of our eager new secondary students are proving their dedication by participating in optional weekend English conversation lessons at Smith secondary campus.
Until beginning their studies at St Jude鈥檚 in January, the students had only been educated in Kiswahili at government primary schools throughout Tanzania鈥檚 Arusha region.
Starting secondary school is a high achievement in itself for these young people.
Passing their Standard 7 national exam at the end of primary school is sadly not the norm for many Tanzanian children who have to contend with class numbers of over 60 and walking long distances to and from school every day.
It is estimated that only 30% of secondary school aged Tanzanians are receiving an education.
But, our new Form 1s have one obstacle remaining: learning to speak fluent English.
Several St Jude鈥檚 international employees voluntarily travel to Smith secondary campus on Sundays, where they engage students in informal conversations, presentations and debates.
St Jude鈥檚 Community Relations and Welfare Coordinator, Tracey, devised the program after Form 5 student selection last year. She saw it as a way to complement the School鈥檚 formal academic and language support processes.
鈥淪ome students [during house checks] struggled to understand simple things said by foreigners 鈥� for example, 鈥榟ow old are you?鈥� or, 鈥榩lease sit here.鈥欌��
鈥淭hese students, aged between 17-20, had done very well in their Form 4 exams, which are completed in English, so I felt that maybe they had not been exposed to foreign accents and different ways of saying things.鈥�
鈥淗opefully by becoming used to hearing foreign accents, they will be able to make use of the opportunity to meet visitors to St Jude鈥檚, who have experience in all sorts of professions which may interest our students.鈥�
Lenatha and Goodluck, aged 13, participate in the conversation program, which has helped to improve their confidence.
鈥淪peaking English is a great challenge for us,鈥� Goodluck confirmed.
鈥淯ntil now, I learnt English from repeating conversations foreigners had with me in the street around town. If we can speak English it means we have greater opportunities after school,鈥� Lenatha added.
鈥淭he teachers are very good. I feel blessed to be at this school. In one sentence, I can say what St Jude鈥檚 means to me: it shows us who we are and it makes us proud,鈥� Goodluck shared.
鈥淚n the villages we come from, St Jude鈥檚 is known as one of the best because the quality of education is high and it helps people who need it most.鈥�
Goodluck鈥檚 mother, a waitress, is the sole parent of three children. Goodluck is the eldest child, with two younger sisters for whom he sets an excellent example.
A free, private education at mini传媒 opens the door to higher education, giving Goodluck every hope of securing his dream job in the science or medical field.
With wisdom and insight beyond his years, Goodluck spoke of his ultimate goal.
鈥淚f I can finish school, I will provide a foundation for my family鈥檚 dreams and future. Life is very hard in this world, but I will help to make ours good.鈥�
Lenatha is the beneficiary of an opportunity her own mother never had.
鈥淢y mother got high enough grades to go to secondary school, but her parents could not afford it, so she is really happy that I get the chance [to attend secondary school],鈥� Lenatha said.
鈥淢um sells potatoes and tomatoes in a small shop. She teaches me that it is good to have some money, but money can be taken away.鈥�
鈥淓ducation is like the ocean; it never ends and it cannot be taken away from us.鈥�
Our courageous new students are already making waves in their communities. Help St Jude鈥檚 fight poverty through education so that students like Goodluck and Lenatha can achieve their dreams: become a Form 1 sponsor today.
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