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Some have been a bit down in the dumps because we have not been able to meet in person and see and hear the speaker at our Monday night Club meetings. So who would have thought one of our best ever presentations was via Zoom all the way from Tanzania. Last Monday Gemma Sisia joined us (a little late as she was not aware of the daylight saving change over the weekend) via Zoom to give us a fantastic insight into the School of St Jude. In 2002 Gemma established the school after the donation of a small parcel of land and ongoing donations, many from rotarians, from across the world. From very humble beginnings the school now has approximately 1800 students, a large number of whom are boarders. St Jude’s provides a 100% free, 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 $2.70 a 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. Now, St Jude’s graduates are enrolled in universities across Tanzania and East Africa and 24 scholars have just graduated from their tertiary course supported by Beyond St Jude’s. They are one step closer to becoming the next generation of Tanzanian leaders. Gemma gave a unique guided walk around the school (a bit like roaming Brian in the post match of Seven footy) using her mobile and the often maligned Zoom app where we visited classrooms full of energetic students, met teaching and administration staff and experienced a very vibrant setting. The school's annual running costs are around $6m, and as all the students are on scholarships, the school survives on donations (90% of which come from Australians). Other expenses include a fleets of 26 buses to transport the students and staff and the provision of around 700 hot lunch meals each day. Gemma's presentation was inspiring and it is easy to appreciate how in 2007 Gemma’s achievements were honoured by an Order of Australia medal. Her story has been featured twice in the ABC TV documentary program Australian Story, in 2005 and a follow-up in 2009. In 2012, Gemma was named one of The Australian Financial Review and Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence, nominated in the Global category and was also a finalist in New South Wales for Australian of the Year. In 2000 and 2019, Gemma was awarded a Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. It was a pleasure to have experienced just a short time with Gemma and The School of St Jude. Should you wish to support The School of St Jude by donating, please follow this link to the School's website donation page.
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