Fighting poverty through education

The Public Questions Society at Wesley’s Glen Waverley campus was recently visited by Felix Mollel, an ambassador for the School of St Jude (the Patron Saint of Lost Causes) in Arusha, Tanzania, which aims to provide a high quality and free education to the poorest of children. Established in 2002 by a young Australian woman, the school now has 1,800 students, chosen for their intelligence and their commitment, and for the fact that they come from the poorest of families.

They are offered a high-quality, free education in a modern boarding school. Each day Tanzanian children line up, hoping to be chosen for the school. The background of this amazing story can be seen in the archives of ABC TVs Australian Story, 2009.

In 2015 the first students will complete Year 12, with most aiming for further education, and one third of them dreaming to be doctors, fulfilling the school’s vision of “fighting poverty through education”.

Felix is a member of the Maasai tribe and he arrived in traditional dress. Felix spoke about his own education in a government school with huge classes, not enough books or paper and a 7.00am daily start! Only one child per 250, “the very smartest”, qualifies for a place in secondary school and Felix cheerily pointed out, “I was not that person”. His joy was that eventually he became a bus driver at the School of St Jude before beginning his current role.

Following the presentation Peter Dickinson, Head of Glen Waverley campus, presented Felix with a donation to the school on behalf of the College.

Wesley is delighted that Felix and the School of St Jude, were able to share such inspirational stories with students and staff. We look forward to more great things from the Public Questions Society in 2015.