As Obama talks investment, Tanzanian school urges U.S. to invest in children and education

ARUSHA, Tanzania - July 2, 2013 - PRLog -- (Arusha, Tanzania – July 2, 2013) As President Barack Obama announces an economic partnership with Tanzania, The School of St Jude urges American businesses to invest in the education institutions that are supporting the developing nation’s local communities.

“The focus on education is vital for building a qualified labor force to fuel economic growth and bilateral trade,” says Kim Saville, Director of International Relations at The School of St Jude.

St Jude’s provides free quality education to 1,650 girls and boys whose families live below the poverty line in the Arusha region, home to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater National Parks and Mount Kilimanjaro.

In the last round of the country’s mandatory national exams, the school ranked first in the Arusha region and 10th nationwide.

St Jude’s is preparing the future generation of Tanzanian leaders in any career they choose to pursue. The alternative for them, without a good education, would likely involve manual labor, low wages or unemployment.

The school relies on donations from individuals, businesses and foundations in order to provide free schooling and boarding (including two daily meals, uniforms and books) to the brightest kids coming from the poorest local families.

Not only the students and their families benefit from the school’s presence. The economic stimulus reaches the whole local community, as the institution employs 400 Tanzanians and buys all its supplies from local businesses.

Increased partnership with US businesses will allow St Jude’s to continue to have a positive impact on thousands of children, their families and the wider community.

“Investing in education in the Arusha region is smart business from any angle you look at it,” says Ms Saville.

About The School of St Jude

The School of St Jude is a charity funded school that provides a free, high-quality primary and secondary education to over 1,600 of the poorest, brightest children of Arusha region, Tanzania, East Africa. The school, located across three campuses, also provides boarding for 1,100 students, and employs over 450 Tanzanians. It was founded by Australian Gemma Sisia in 2002.


MEDIA CONTACT:
Helena Vieira, Media Relations
media@schoolofstjude.co.tz