Kevin first visited mini传媒 with his wife, Mary Beth, in 2004, when only a few dozen students were enrolled. They had met Gemma鈥檚 brother, Dan, on safari in South Africa, who informed them of his sister鈥檚 dream. The young couple, intent on pursuing their own shared dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, decided to pay St Jude鈥檚 a visit during their stay in Arusha.
It was a visit that changed their life, and later on, the life of Musa, who was then a brand new student at mini传媒.
During a recent return visit to St Jude鈥檚, Kevin was reunited with Musa and his family, who had the opportunity to express their gratitude to Kevin and Mary Beth for their support that has enabled him to graduate from high school. Currently, Musa is voluntarily teaching mathematics at a government school in Moshono.聽聽
Making the most of it: Musa, currently teaching in a government school, is grateful to Kevin and his family for their support.
鈥淏efore this visit to St Jude鈥檚, I had never even heard the man鈥檚 [Musa鈥檚] voice, it was amazing. He knew exactly who I was, I knew who he was, and this is after more than a decade of correspondence by letters. The whole experience of meeting him as an adult blew my mind,鈥� Kevin said.
鈥淚 had the opportunity to visit Musa鈥檚 home鈥� I had no idea what to expect, but kept an open mind. Musa鈥檚 family were warm and welcoming, they gifted me with a rooster, prepared me food, and heaped thanks upon me for helping their son to receive an education.鈥�
鈥淭hrough sponsorship, we have affected areas of Musa鈥檚 life we never imagined. They live very modestly but had previously been exceptionally poor. Because we were paying for Musa鈥檚 education, the family saved enough money to build a home,鈥� he added.
Back in the day: Kevin, in 2004, cooking outside the then visitor house - now our Purchasing office!聽Kevin was wildly impressed with the development of St Jude鈥檚 since his visit 14 years ago, and especially, the inception of a Community Service Year program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for Mary Beth and I to continue supporting Musa鈥檚 scholarship into his Community Service Year, because I鈥檓 aware that people can be given a great education through high school and when it鈥檚 over, they have no integration. This is a brilliant part of Gemma鈥檚 master plan, because these graduates have fertile ground to grow from rather than being left on cold pavement outside the door.鈥�
鈥淎 highlight from this visit was hearing Musa talk about the students he teaches in the government school. He has four classes and teaches 200 students a day. He can do this because of the education he received at St Jude鈥檚. Musa wants to study Wildlife Management and this experience helps him apply leadership skills. It鈥檚 on-the-job training; the apron string is not totally cut, and these young leaders have the chance to function in an administrative body rather than only receive from it.鈥� Kevin enthused.
Kevin believes the success and growth of Beyond St Jude鈥檚 reflects the booming developments at St Jude鈥檚 over the past 16 years.
鈥淭here have been many small changes which culminate in huge change. When Mary Beth and I first came here, Angela was one of the only teachers, and now she is Deputy Director. The School only had two small vans for transport, and now there鈥檚 an entire bus fleet. I have visited 70 countries and have only met a few people who can execute a vision with as much passion, talent and selflessness as Gemma Sisia,鈥� Kevin acknowledged.
Strong ties: Kevin was blown away by progress made at St Jude's since he first met Gemma 12 years ago.聽聽By continuing to sponsor Musa through his Community Service Year, Kevin and his family make it possible for hundreds of government school students to have a teacher for one of their major subjects. In turn, they are helping Musa to obtain professional skills which will help him pursue his dream job in Wildlife Management; a key economic sector in Tanzania.
鈥淲e are shaping and educating kids, allowing kids to go and be leaders. To shape their society. This is why I want to keep sponsoring. It鈥檚 allowing things to blossom, things that naturally grow, when you pull the weeds back and let it happen.鈥�
Pull back the weeds and help a young adult like Musa to change his community. Contact our Beyond St Jude鈥檚 team at sponsorbeyond@schoolofstjude.co.tz and find out how you can support one of our graduates.
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