July 2018 - Welcome Back Alums
Every June, Tumaini Schools invites all its alumni back to the school for a party. Over 130 students attended this year. Staying in touch with our alumni is important because Tanzania Education Corp has started a long term study on the lifelong impact of a Tumaini education.
School founder, Mr. Modest Bayo, delivered a rousing speech, asking students: “Who wants to be President of Tanzania?” A major focus of Bayos’ talk: the call to volunteer. His message to students: in addition to building professional skills, volunteering expands horizons. Through volunteering you will meet new people, gain new experiences, and it is good for the soul!
Enjoying the festivities were four alumni from the first graduating class of TJS in 2011: sisters Paschalina and Mary Barnabas, Meshack Msemo, and Edith Juma. They have finished Secondary School and all will go to college in October 2018.
Each of these four alums has finished Form 6, the last year of Tanzanian high school. They are anxiously awaiting test results to determine their university placement. Inspired by Mr. Bayo’s speech, these 2011 alums will volunteer at TJS until they attend university in October 2018.
The alums talked about their big dreams and exciting career plans, and how a TJS education equipped them to pursue their goals.
Paschalina Barnabas is fascinated by foreign trade policy and wants to work internationally, representing Tanzania’s interests abroad. She hopes to attend University of Dar es Salaam and major in international relations.
What being a TJS student meant to her: Paschalina loved the supportive atmosphere at TJS. The secure and nurturing environment encouraged her to flourish as a student and grow as a person. She learned life and social skills that were just as important as study skills.
Mary Barnabas wants to pursue an undergraduate degree in public administration at Mzumbe University. After graduation, she plans to work for a few years in the public sector focusing on international issues before applying to law school.
What a TJS education meant to her: Mastering the challenging curriculum and rigorous standards of TJS made it possible for her to attend a high quality secondary school. At TJS she developed excellent study habits and the discipline to be a successful student.
Both Paschalina and Mary are the first in their family to go to secondary school. They identify themselves as job creators not seekers.
Meshack Msemo’s goal is to study economics at the Institute of Finance Management in Dar es Salaam. With a specialization in international banking and finance, Meshack intends to pursue post graduate opportunities abroad.
The importance of a TJS education to him: The intellectually stimulating and demanding coursework at TJS set him up for academic success in secondary school. Meshack credits the English only policy at TJS with giving him an educational advantage; the transition to secondary school was easier and he was able to quickly understand new subjects.
Edith Juma speaks French and English and will use her talent with languages to obtain a degree in Linguistics at the University of Dar es Salaam. Her linguistics education will enable her to pursue a career in government administration in both French and English-speaking African countries.
How a being a TJS student impacted her: At TJS Edith felt valued as an individual. She developed the skills to interact confidently with others. The positive focus of TJS created an atmosphere of camaraderie and teamwork that ensured the success of all students.
