In Conversation: The School of St Jude (Transforming Lives Through Education)
Join us for a special event, In Conversations: The School of St Jude, to learn about the incredible impact of The School of St Jude in Tanzania.
Founded by Australian humanitarian Gemma Sisia in 2002, the school provides free scholarships to 100% of its 1,800 primary and secondary school students each year, making it one of the largest charity schools in Africa.
At this event, Gemma and John Stanley, a graduate of the school, will share firsthand stories about how the school has transformed the lives of its students, their families, and the local community in Tanzania. Thanks to the generosity of Australians, who contribute 92% of all revenue raised, the school not only provides education but also improves economic, social, and health outcomes in the region.
"What I love about The School of St Jude is the fact that opportunities are given to the students to not only complete schooling there, but also to give back to their community as part of a gap year, which includes teaching at the government schools, before completing university studies under the sponsorship program. A 2-night visit to the school in mid-2024 was a delightful experience, including a tour of the student art gallery, 2 beautiful campus libraries, and a home visit for afternoon tea with one of the families. Gemma’s story is truly inspirational!" Trish Cutler
With 97 cents in every dollar raised goes directly to the operational costs of the school, ensuring that your support has a lasting impact.
Book your spot today and join us to hear about the inspiring work of The School of St Jude and how your contributions continue to make a difference.
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About the tutor
Gemma Sisia
Gemma grew up as the only girl in a family of eight children on a 100,000-acre property in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Her childhood involved mustering sheep, horseriding, swimming and fishing in the waterfalls at the family property.
After completing a science degree at The University of Melbourne, Gemma followed up with an honours program and 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 at a girls' centre. This experience fostered her belief that education is the right of all children and the strongest weapon in fighting poverty. During this time, Gemma also met Richard, who would later become her husband in neighbouringTanzania.
Upon returning to Australia, Gemma began fundraising to build a school that would provide a free, private education to those in poverty, which would eventually become The School of St Jude. With help from her father, Gemma spoke to local Rotary Clubs, friends, school, and churches and the support for her school began to grow, eventually raising enough to build the first classroom. She has toured Australia to tell the story of St Jude's almost every year since.
After 20 years of fundraising and building St Jude's from its foundations, today St Jude's provides free, quality education to 1,800 primary and secondary students and support hundreds of tertiary scholars every year. St Jude's is more than a school. Gemma and her team have developed a successful model to combat poverty, with each scholarship alleviating financial strain resulting in significantly improved economic outcomes for families and local community.
Outside of St Jude's, Gemma runs a safari company with her husband, Richard, and they enjoy spending time with their four children, Nathaniel, Jacob, Isabella and Louisa.
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About the tutor
John Stanley
John Stanley is a Tanzanian entrepreneur, speaker, environmental advocate, and a proud alum of The School of St Jude. His academic journey began in 2007 when he joined St Jude’s in Standard 1, and he spent the next 13 years growing within the school’s supportive environment.
During his time at St Jude’s, John demonstrated strong leadership and a passion for environmental conservation. He was elected as the Environment Prefect in the student government, served as president of the Malihai Club (a club focused on environmental conservation and wildlife management), and excelled academically, winning awards as the Best Student in Geography and General Studies in his final year.
John’s outstanding academic achievements and community service track record earned him a prestigious scholarship to the African Leadership University in Mauritius. While at university, he co-founded Zona Enterprise, an environmental conservation start-up revolutionising waste management and agriculture practices in Tanzania.
In December 2023, John received two prestigious awards - Environmental Sustainability and Entrepreneurial Spirit - at the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Award Gala. That same year, he was selected as one of the top 100 youth at the Youth4Climate Change event in Rome followed by more international awards and funding to expand his work.
Currently, John is back in Tanzania, driving the growth of his start-up by pioneering solutions that convert food and organic waste into high-quality organic fertilizers. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, John is a passionate mentor, empowering young people to pursue entrepreneurial ventures and advocate for environmental sustainability. His influence has directly impacted over 3,000 young people, and he has helped more than 450 secure externships with Fortune 1000 companies in the U.S.
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About the tutor
The School of St Jude
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