Gemma Sisia believes that quality education is the only vehicle to transport the disadvantaged out of the poverty cycle. After moving to her husband’s village in Tanzania, she set out to build a school for impoverished children. Family, friends, and her local Rotary club enabled her to open St Jude’s with three students in 2002. Come hear Gemma tell her story, and learn how Rotary clubs and supporters around the world now ensure that 1,800 students currently enrolled are breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
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 and brightest children of Arusha region, Tanzania, East Africa.
St Jude’s is located in East Africa, in the North of Tanzania.
While Tanzania is home to some of the most amazing destinations in the world…. Zanzibar, the famous semi-nomadic Massai tribes
Mt Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongro Crater, amazing wildlife and more!
One third of the population live below the poverty line (that’s less that $1.25 a day) Poverty line = $1.25 per day. Total population figure in 2007: Source: World Bank 2007 data
One third of the population live below the poverty line (that’s less that $1.25 a day) Poverty line = $1.25 per day. Total population figure in 2007: Source: World Bank 2007 data
When travelling through Tanzania, Gemma Sisia was given a unique opportunity with the gift of a piece of land from her father-in-law
When travelling through Tanzania, Gemma Sisia was given a unique opportunity with the gift of a piece of land from her father-in-law
and the government school system is disjointed and struggling…
Primary education taught in Swahili, secondary in English.
Secondary school is not a given… and only 50% of students are passing the Std 7 exams nationally (forcing them to join the labour force at about 13 years of age).
Tanzania has the lowest rate of high school enrolment in all of Africa.
In 2002, St Jude’s opened with one teacher and three students….
In 2002, St Jude’s opened with one teacher and three students….
In 2002, St Jude’s opened with one teacher and three students….
And last year, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with over 1,500 students!
And last year, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with over 1,500 students!
And last year, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with over 1,500 students!
And last year, we celebrated our 10th Anniversary with over 1,500 students!
Class sizes are conducive to learning
No more than 30 students in each class.
Class sizes are conducive to learning
No more than 30 students in each class.
Class sizes are conducive to learning
No more than 30 students in each class.
Class sizes are conducive to learning
No more than 30 students in each class.
Jon Fod
Class sizes are conducive to learning
No more than 30 students in each class.
So, what is my current job at the school? – working with Jon
As of 2014 we will be at full capacity teaching students in every year level from standard 1 to form 6. We want to continue to build a sustainable school that is changing the face of education and poverty in Tanzania.
Students are given three nutritious meals every day
job prospects are low,
job prospects are low,
As of 2014 we will be at full capacity teaching students in every year level from standard 1 to form 6. We want to continue to build a sustainable school that is changing the face of education and poverty in Tanzania.
One of the most significant and lasting contributions that people can make is to remember St Jude’s when writing their Will. After ensuring that your family is taken care of, I’d like to encourage you to consider leaving a gift to St Jude’s. Our bequest program is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of St Jude’s so that future generations of children in poverty can make a lasting difference to Tanzania.
Sarah has more information up the back of the room about remembering St Jude’s in your Will. You can take this information home to discuss with your family or there are contact details for us on that flyer.