Some quotes translated from Kiswahili
Janelle, Clorinda, Timuana and Octavia are uniquely bonded by their shared devotion to one of our 2018 graduates, Denis.
Janelle has sponsored Denis since his first day at St Jude鈥檚 in Standard 1. She, along with her two daughters, Timuana and Clorinda, travelled from Queensland, Australia, to be by his side as he finished secondary school.
Janelle and her husband, Peter, who passed away in 2016, were inspired to help fight poverty through education when they heard about St Jude鈥檚 through Rotary.
Janelle decided to pay tribute to her husband by attending Denis鈥� graduation and bringing her two daughters with her, so they could understand their parents鈥� passion for our cause.
Janelle and Denis shared an emotional reunion at Sisia Primary Campus on Monday May 21, having last seen each other in 2005, and later that day, he took them to visit his home and meet his guardian, Octavia.
At Form 6 Graduation on May 26, Octavia joined hands with Janelle, Clorinda and Timuana, in celebration of Denis鈥� achievements.
Several years ago, due to difficult circumstances in Denis鈥� home life, Octavia agreed to open her home to him, whilst he completed his education at St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淲hen I took in another son, I wanted him to feel secure and not lonely. Now, Denis has a family and I want him to succeed in his life. Denis has brought joy to us. He helps Alexander with his chores and I am so proud to see him graduate,鈥� Octavia shared.
Octavia is a dedicated member of St Jude鈥檚 Parent Committee and has been a passionate advocate for St Jude鈥檚 in the local community since her son, Alexander, earned his academic scholarship in Standard 1, nearly 16 years ago.
Alexander graduated from Form 6 at St Jude鈥檚 in 2016. He completed his Beyond St Jude鈥檚 Community Service Year in 2017 as an intern in our Visitor team and is now studying his Bachelor in Economic Science and Communications, through Beyond St Jude鈥檚 Tertiary program, at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania鈥檚 top university.
鈥淲ithout help from St Jude鈥檚, I could not have afforded to give my son the same privilege he has now. I have other children to support and I would not have been able to afford to send Alexander to university,鈥� Octavia said.
Janelle and her daughters were profoundly moved by Octavia鈥檚 generosity and passion for the School.
鈥淥ctavia is a beautiful person. This lady has given Denis the gift of a family home. Denis is a special young man 鈥� a young leader 鈥� and he is so grateful for the gift of an education. My husband Peter would have been proud to meet him as the wonderful young man he has become,鈥� Janelle revealed.
After 13 years of sponsorship, she is passing the beacon of hope to Timuana, who has agreed to financially support Denis through his Beyond St Jude鈥檚 Community Service Year.
鈥淚 always knew this was a special cause, but being at St Jude鈥檚 and seeing the community impact first-hand has changed mine and Clorinda鈥檚 lives. There was no way I could walk away from this without giving something back, and Denis will always mean so much to our family.鈥�
鈥淢eeting his guardian, Octavia, was an amazing experience. This mother is so kind and genuine. She has taken in this young man and raised him as her own. She deserves to receive so much gratitude in her own right,鈥� Timuana said.
Octavia, Janelle, Timuana and Clorinda may be separated by oceans, but they have joined hands to give an opportunity to one of Tanzania鈥檚 future moral and intellectual leaders.
Will you take someone鈥檚 hand too? Share their story and sponsor a student or make a donation during our 2018 Annual Appeal.
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