NOTE: The Sentinel-Times would like to apologise for an incorrect headline regarding this article in the May 16 edition, on page 18.
The headline ‘St Jude founder to speak in Bass Coast’ was incorrect, as the founder will be speaking in Leongatha.
The Sentinel-Times apologises for any confusion this may have caused.
The Southern Business Women’s Network (SBWN) is thrilled to host the founder of the of the School of St Jude, Gemma Sisia as a guest speaker to their June networking dinner.
Gemma spent her early years on a sheep and cattle property near Guyra in northern New South Wales.
After completing her secondary studies at St Vincent’s College in Sydney, Gemma completed a science degree (majoring in genetics and biochemistry) at The University of Melbourne, followed by an honours program (where she was awarded first class) in the Northern Territory.
Gemma concluded her tertiary studies with a Diploma of Education through the University of New England in Armidale.
At 22 years old, Gemma travelled to Uganda to put her qualifications to good use, volunteering as a teacher for three years.
This experience fostered her belief that a free, high-quality education is the right of all children and that education is the strongest weapon in fighting poverty.
On returning to Australia, Gemma began fundraising to help underprivileged children in Uganda complete their schooling.
Grateful for the support and donations, Gemma raised enough money to start an official fund to invest in the education of East Africa’s poorest children.
While working in Uganda, Gemma travelled to neighbouring Tanzania and met her future husband Richard.
His father Daniel Sisia, a village chairman, gifted the newlyweds a small plot of land that became home to The School of St Jude.
In 2002, The School of St Jude opened with one teacher and a handful of sponsored students. Today, St Jude’s provides free, quality education to 1,800 bright primary and secondary students who come from considerably poor backgrounds.
The school also supports 100s of graduates with access to higher education and provides more than 10,000 government school students with volunteer teachers each year.
One hundred percent of St Jude’s students and scholars are on scholarships. Located across three campuses, St Jude’s also provides boarding for all secondary students and employs over 350 Tanzanian staff across their Academic and Head Office teams, ensuring a sustainable and self-determining future for St Jude’s.
In a country where 70% of secondary school-aged people are not enrolled in secondary school, the chance to receive a free, quality education is life-changing for the community’s most disadvantaged families.
In 2007, Gemma’s achievements were honoured by a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Her story has been featured twice in the ABC TV documentary program Australian Story, first in 2005 and then a follow-up in 2009. and once on Nine Network’s 60 Minutes in 2016. 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 for New South Wales Australian of the Year. In 2000 and 2019, Gemma was awarded a Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
Gemma has travelled the world spreading the word about The School of St Jude and has inspired people of all ages and from all walks of life with her story.
St Jude’s was built on her belief that everyone has the right to an education.
During this year’s tour, Gemma will be joined by Madeleine Kelly, the author of The School That Hope Built, a new book charting the impressive growth of the school from a simple idea to a locally driven institution which is the largest of if its kind on the continent.
Enock Ephrahim, one of the inaugural graduates of St Jude’s and now employee, will also join the tour to share his journey and unique perspective as both a former student and current employee.
The trio will share how St Jude’s started and grew from its beginning as Gemma’s dream, to the successful, multi-campus school it is today.
The SBWN invites anyone who wants to feel inspired by the personal stories of Gemma, Kelly and Enock and understand how its possible to make a difference, even through the smallest of actions. As well as have the chance to win a copy of
For event details visit www.sbwn.com.au/events
