When you support St Jude鈥檚 you aren鈥檛 just providing free education to the poorest and brightest students in Arusha. You are supporting nearly 300 talented, dedicated staff members who are committed to fighting poverty in their country. In our Staff Spotlight series we鈥檒l introduce you鈥檒l get to know these impressive members of the St Jude鈥檚 family. This month, meet Vivian Deus, a superstar in our Beyond St Jude鈥檚 team whose talent is only matched by her commitment to our graduates.
She鈥檚 an in-demand fashion designer who teaches law in her spare time 鈥� but the thing that makes Vivian Deus a perfect role model for our St Jude鈥檚 graduates is her commitment to making a difference in her community.
鈥淚 love what I do because I get to work with the graduates and help them become the leaders of Tanzania,鈥� Vivian says.
鈥淲hat I tell our graduates when they come to me for advice is they鈥檝e got to find something they love and use it to make a difference.鈥�
Vivian has been a key part of our Beyond St Jude鈥檚 (BSJ) team since joining 18 months ago and helping our first Form 6 graduates during the inaugural Community Service Year (CSY).
Her role in the team is to help graduates during their CSY and give them guidance as they prepare for higher education, while also communicating with St Jude鈥檚 supporters.
The hard-working 27-year-old is the perfect example of versatility and living proof that you can always find time to follow your passion.
鈥淲hen I was in primary school I was in Arusha and we did fashion shows, and the passion started growing in me,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y step-mum was very crafty, and I learnt a lot from her. She made me grow that passion.鈥�
Vivian started designing in 2014, and when she wasn鈥檛 in the BSJ office she worked many odd hours to pursue clothing design and production from home.
鈥淚 also branched out into accessory-making with a local lady,鈥� she said.
Vivian鈥檚 clothing and jewellery have become a hit at St Jude鈥檚 and word has been getting around town, so she has started a small business to help keep up with demand.
On top of being one of St Jude鈥檚 most dedicated staff members and a budding fashion mogul, Vivian teaches law part-time.
Her teaching internship is part of a plan to qualify for a possible scholarship for her Masters, where she plans to major in Origin Integration law.
It鈥檚 a lot of commitments to juggle, but Vivian鈥檚 number one priority is her job at St Jude鈥檚, a position she wants to hold for the next 10 years.
鈥淚 love what I do and I鈥檓 so lucky to have the opportunities I have. I鈥檝e already learnt so much in my time with Beyond St Jude鈥檚, especially from Angela (Bailey, BSJ manager),鈥� she said.
This worldly woman, who has previously studied in Russia, is now venturing to North America to cement our school鈥檚 upcoming opportunities with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at African Leadership Academy.
St Jude鈥檚 has qualified as a recruiting partner for the prestigious program, which means our graduates may be eligible for their international scholarships.
Not only do these scholarships open our students to a world of possibilities, the program is in line with St Jude鈥檚 mission of creating future leaders of Tanzania by ensuring all scholarship recipients return to Africa after finishing their higher education.
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