In July, 42 new Form 5 students tied their shoelaces, pulled up their socks and adjusted their St Jude鈥檚 uniform for the very first time.
The aspiring scholars have clung to high hopes through years of anticipation and perseverance.
One of these students is Agness. At 18 years old, she鈥檚 on the cusp of reaching her dreams 鈥� pursuing her love for drama, and becoming an engineer.
Clever and confident, Agness was invited by the headmaster of her government school to take our Form 5 entrance exam at Sisia campus earlier this year.
Flashing a broad smile, Agness fondly remembered the life-changing moment she learnt she鈥檇 been accepted into St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淚 live with my grandfather, grandmother, uncles, aunties and sisters; I have two older sisters, and a twin!鈥� Agness said.聽
鈥淢y family felt so happy, especially my grandfather. He was thankful for the St Jude鈥檚 staff who visited us, and thankful to God for the opportunity.鈥澛�
鈥淢y twin sister still attends a government school. It鈥檚 different for her, because the support you get from teachers in government schools is small compared to the support from St Jude鈥檚 teachers.鈥� she recalled.聽
鈥淚 used to have to find answers to questions by myself, but at St Jude鈥檚, we collaborate with other students in discussion groups and the teachers always help us.鈥�
Acceptance into St Jude鈥檚 opens the door to a bright future; however, in Tanzania, the transition from a government school to an English-medium school presents unique challenges.聽
鈥淭he first time I came through the St Jude鈥檚 gates, I was nervous because it was a new environment. I didn鈥檛 know anyone. I came here wearing my government school uniform, then I collected my St Jude鈥檚 uniform. When I first saw myself wearing it in the mirror, I looked so happy,鈥� Agness said.聽
鈥淪t Jude鈥檚 is good, the teachers are excellent, and I finally have enough learning materials. The students cooperate with the teachers, so we can all study and perform very well,鈥� she explained.聽
Unstoppable Agness, a self-taught English speaker, is learning new and exciting things every day from her school friends.聽
鈥淲e can join so many clubs and do activities here! I like drama, singing and I want to be a volunteer,鈥� she grinned.
鈥淚 believe anything is possible if you work hard. I always had hope for myself, but my goals are only really possible now because of St Jude鈥檚,鈥� Agness remarked.聽
鈥淚 want to say thank you to mini传媒鈥檚 supporters for giving us the chance to come here. I didn鈥檛 expect to get this opportunity. Even though I don鈥檛 have a sponsor yet, I am hopeful. This feels like a dream come true.鈥�
Would you like to help a new student鈥檚 dream come true? You can today, by聽becoming a sponsor!
Replies