“There is no way The School of St Jude would have opened without Rotary,” said Gemma Sisia, school founder.
More than 1000 students have completed their secondary education and 97% of St Jude graduates pursue higher education.
When students complete their final Tanzanian high school year they spend 12 months in community service. Many teach at government schools for that year, passing on their education.
Gemma Sisia dreamed of creating a private school in Africa. It has become the most amazing reality.Rotary has been with her all the way. Her first speaking engagement was at the Rotary Club of Armidale, NSW, Australia.
Gemma opened the school in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2002, to provide free, quality education to high-performing students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It has grown to three schools with 1800 students on full scholarships.
More than 1000 students have completed their secondary education, and 97% of St Jude graduates pursue higher education.
When the students complete their final high school year they spend 12 months in community service. Many of them teach at government schools for that year, passing on their education.
The graduate alumni are now working in fields as broad as medicine, engineering, graphics and agriculture and many return to the school to volunteer.
All the secondary school children board. This means 1,000,000 meals a year, having school buses and trucks, etc.
The amount needed each year to fund the school is around $10 million, and 90% of funding comes from Australia, much of which comes from Rotary members and clubs.
More than 40 Rotary teams have volunteered at St Jude’s and many Rotarians visit the school to see its achievements and experience the culture of Tanzania.
Gemma was raised on a farm about 80km north west of Armidale with seven brothers. She maintains this childhood gave her a lot of practical skills and resilience.
It takes a lot of effort to keep raising funds and Gemma returns to Australia each year to talk to Rotary Clubs and the general public.
For more information or to donate, go to www.schoolofstjude.org