The boys at Edgecliff Prep were most fortunate to have Mrs Gemma Sisia, the founder of the School of St Jude, Tanzania, talk at their Assembly on Monday, 26 February. Gemma was joined by two alumni from St Jude’s, Winnie and Suleiman. Suleiman shared his inspiring journey to achieve his life-long dream of becoming a doctor, whilst Winnie is a full-circle story who, after completing her degree, returned to work at St Jude’s.
The School of St Jude is a remarkable educational institution located in Arusha, Tanzania. The history of the School of St Jude and Gemma's journey is one of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to fighting poverty through education. Gemma, originally from Armidale, was inspired to establish St Jude's after a visit to Tanzania. She was deeply moved by the poverty and lack of educational opportunities for the local children. She decided to make a difference by providing access to free quality education.
In 2002, Gemma started teaching a few students in her own home, with minimal resources but boundless determination. Over the years, the School of St Jude grew steadily, thanks to her unwavering commitment and the support of donors and volunteers. The school expanded from just a handful of students to now educating over 1,800 boys and girls. The school's mission is encapsulated in its motto, ‘Fighting Poverty through Education’. St Jude's provides high-quality, free education to some of the poorest and most vulnerable children in Tanzania. It not only offers academic instruction, but also focuses on character development, equipping students with the skills and values needed to succeed in life.
MacCallum house was proud to donate close to $5000 that was raised last year through the generosity of the Edgecliff community. This year, the fund-raising for MacCallum will again be in Term 4, highlighted with the popular Sports Challenge.
