Known for her humour and charitable heart, Rebel Wilson has been a champion for St Jude鈥檚 since 2006, well before she became one of Australia鈥檚 beloved household names.
Rebel, an internationally acclaimed actress, writer and producer, is best known for starring in blockbuster films including Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids and, more recently, Cats.
Although her life has changed dramatically since 2006, one thing has never waned鈥� her loyal support for mini传媒.
Nearly 15 years ago, Rebel began sponsoring an academic scholarship for Winnie, one of the school鈥檚 first students. Since graduating from St Jude鈥檚 in 2016, Winnie has gone on to pursue a degree in Business Studies at university.
Seeing is Believing: Rebel Wilson on her visit to St Jude鈥檚 in 2014 where she finally met Winnie, the student whose academic scholarship she sponsored, and her family; witnessing firsthand how education was transforming her life.
Rebel and Winnie finally met in person during Rebel鈥檚 visit to St Jude鈥檚 in 2014. During her time in Arusha, Rebel saw firsthand how her support had made a profound impact on St Jude鈥檚 and its students.
Rebel delivered a heartfelt message of hope to our students during her visit to the school six years ago鈥� a message that鈥檚 never lost its impact:
鈥淓ducation is your key to opportunity. I know I come from Australia, but I didn't grow up with much. I just believed in myself and always tried to improve. My advice would be to try your absolute hardest at school. Study hard and try different activities so that when you finish secondary school, there will be lots of opportunities for you to pursue,鈥� she encouraged.
Rebel recently won US$250,000 as a contestant on the hit television show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire USA 鈥� Celebrity Edition and pledged to donate her winnings to mini传媒 鈥� a pledge that, after the perils of 2020, came as a thrill to our whole school community.
Rebel鈥檚 donation will fund the entire education of 20 university students through our Beyond St Jude鈥檚 (BSJ) program; all of whom come from backgrounds of severe poverty.
The Winning Team: Rebel, with her friend and St Jude鈥檚 supporter, Jacob Andreou, and game show host Jimmy Kimmel.
Furaha is one of BSJ鈥檚 Tertiary scholars who will benefit directly from Rebel鈥檚 support and receive the gift of free education. She is the youngest of four children. The opportunities she鈥檚 received at St Jude鈥檚 so far, and thanks to further support from Rebel, allow her to proudly step towards a brighter future.
Since graduating from St Jude鈥檚 in 2019, Furaha has been helping her fellow Tanzanians through BSJ鈥檚 Community Service Year program, teaching chemistry and biology to students in one of Tanzania鈥檚 under-resourced government schools.
BSJ鈥檚 Community Service Year program encourages St Jude鈥檚 graduates to volunteer within their communities, giving to others with the same spirit of generosity that St Jude鈥檚 international supporters, like Rebel Wilson, have given to them.
Giving Back: Furaha with her students during the Beyond St Jude鈥檚 Community Service Year program.
Now, thanks to Rebel鈥檚 gift, Furaha can take her next bold leap: studying at one of Tanzania鈥檚 most renowned universities.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to study Environmental Health Science. My dream is to become an Environmental Health Officer and help others in my community!鈥� Furaha joyfully declared.
Rebel, too, reaps rewards from supporting St Jude鈥檚 and supporting others in need.
鈥淚 think the work that of St Jude鈥檚 is important and amazing. I love that my donations are directly helping individuals at the school. Now that I am in a fortunate position, it feels good to give back,鈥� Rebel said.
Thank you Rebel: St Jude鈥檚 students and their families cannot thank Rebel enough for her support over the years.
St Jude鈥檚 Founder, Gemma Sisia, is also overjoyed by Rebel鈥檚 continued support for St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淩ebel, because of you, 20 of our amazing graduates can soar to new heights as they pursue higher education. They will lead their families and communities to growth and prosperity,鈥� Gemma said.
It certainly pays to be a Rebel with a cause.
In support of Rebel鈥檚 cause, The American Friends of mini传媒, AFSJ, ran a contest to predict how much Rebel would win, and Rachelle, a supporter from America, emerged the winner and walked away with a Tanzanian goodie bag.
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