School of St Jude

The School of St Jude is an English-language school in Arusha in northern Tanzania. The School provides free education for children from the poorest local families^[1] and follows the Cambridge International Curriculum. The aim of the school is to "Fight poverty through education", by providing students with a quality education, which will assist them to find well-paid jobs and help break the cycle of poverty.

History

In 2002 Gemma Sisia (née Rice), an Australian woman, opened a small school in northern Tanzania with the help of her family, friends and local (Australian) Rotary Club^[2].

Timeline

• 2002. School opens with three students and a two-room building.
• 2003. 100 children enrolled. Two-storey classroom block is built.
• 2004. 322 children enrolled. Two-storey block of 12 classrooms is built. Hot lunches are introduced.
• 2005. 502 children enrolled. Six new classrooms, Assembly Hall and new Volunteer Accommodation are built. Gemma is featured on the ABC program Australian Story – The School of St Jude
• 2006. 662 children enrolled. Land is purchased at Usa for second campus and eight new classrooms are built on the Moshono campus.
• 2007. 841 children enrolled. Construction of school buildings on Usa campus begins. Boarding facilities are completed on the Moshono campus. Gemma receives an Order of Australia medal. Pan Macmillan publishes her autobiography, 'St Jude's'.
• 2008. 989 children enrolled. The Usa campus opens for classes at the beginning of the year.
• 2009. 1300 children enrolled. In the depth of the Global Financial Crisis, Australian Story – Africa Calling features Gemma Sisia and the School of St Jude again.

Over 90% of the children at the school receive a totally free education. Local and international sponsors cover the costs educational fees but also the uniform, stationery, transport, hot meals, and boarding accommodation for older students.

References

External links

• The School of St. Jude