The School of St. Jude
Over the past decade Evan and Karyn Heckman frequently travelled through Africa on safari. Their travels took them all over East and Southern Africa by venturing into Africa’s wilderness in search of its majestic wildlife; however, each safari increased their exposure to many, wonderful local communities. These experienced gave the Heckman Family a sense of community which developed into a strong desire to give back to a place they loved. After researching different charitable organizations throughout Africa the Heckmans came across the School of St. Jude in Arusha, Tanzania.
The mission of The School of St Jude is to educate bright, yet disadvantaged students from the Arusha, Tanzania to become moral and intellectual leaders in their community and for St Jude's to thereby demonstrate educational leadership in Tanzania. The school offers a welcomed alternative to woefully underfunded and underman government school in the community.
St Jude’s provides a free, high-quality education to children who — due to poverty and social pressures — would otherwise be unlikely to complete their schooling. Drawn from families who often live on less than $1.25 per day, the pupils of St Jude’s are shining examples of what students can achieve when they are given the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Although the school is only 14 years old, it has made an immeasurable impact on Arusha as it not only educates its over 1,800 students on three campuses, but its reach, through its students, creates a ripple effort that help educates thousands more, including parents, siblings and neighbors.
The School of St. Jude greatly impacts their community by providing a high-quality education and a brighter future for not just its students but the community at large. The Karyn Heckman Family Foundation proudly supports the School of St. Jude and their mission. To help the efforts of the Karyn Heckman Family Foundation and the School of St. Jude with a donation or fully sponsorship of a student please click the donate icon below.