School Leadership
Directors - The East African Fund (International Board)
Mark Cubit
Director - Chairperson of The East African Fund
I came into contact with St Jude’s in 2005. I was managing my family’s foundation when I saw a presentation by Gemma. I was hooked; from there it was a study of the website, a call to Gemma, a meeting and a first donation. Hosting Gemma’s visits to Melbourne and a family visit to the school consolidated the family’s commitment. I have visited over 50 projects in ten countries and have yet to see any project that has grown as quickly as St Jude’s whilst generating such quality outputs.
Gemma Sisia
Director - Vice-Chairperson of The East African Fund
Gemma is the Founder of St Jude’s and her involvement in the school speaks for itself! Starting the school in 2002, Gemma has played an active part in running the school and is now focused on the the future plans and sustainability of St Jude's.
Sarah Henry
Director - Secretary of The East African Fund
Sarah first got involved with St Jude's as a volunteer in the Visitor and Marketing teams in 2009 and 2010. Since then, she has become an integral part of the St Jude's family. As Secretary of the EAF and St Jude's Australian Coordinator, Sarah is responsible for liaising with our dedicated supporters and coordinating Gemma and Kim's annual promotional tour.
Robin Vargo
Director - Treasurer of The East African Fund
I have 38 years teaching experience in Melbourne, Canada and the US. Since ‘retirement’ I have spent ten years working with The Smith Family, an Australian charity. Married to a teacher with two children and six grandchildren, we are all passionate about giving disadvantaged children a hand up instead of a handout. I became involvedwith St Jude’s in 2005 as adonor and sponsor and havegradually taken over the roleof Treasurer from Monica Hart since July 2010.
Kim Saville
Director - Member of The East African Fund
In 2002, looking for a new challenge, I heard of Gemma’s project and set off to Tanzania for a few months to help a young woman build a small school. Ten years on, the result has exceeded anything our wild imaginations could have conjured up! As Director of International Relations, my role is to ensure the sustainability and financial stability of St Jude's by drumming up as much support as I can! I continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure the passion, perseverance and determination that Gem, Ange and I put in during those early years continues throughout the school in the pursuit of excellence in all we do.
Cindy Skarbek
Director - Member of The East African Fund
On our family’s first visit to Tanzania in 2004 we visited agovernment school with 100students in a class. Wanting to see if there was a way to help, we sought a good school that could benefit from support, and that led us to The School of St Jude. A good education is the best gift that you can give anyone,and the students, teachers and staff at St Jude’s are all eager to learn. Their enthusiastic thirst for knowledge makes me enjoy sharing my time and experience.
Nicholas Rice
Director - Member of The East African Fund
As Gemma’s brother, I have been involved with The School of St Jude since its inception. Due to my experience in the construction industry I helped with the plans for the very first building. Fast forward to 2012 and I now find myself just as passionate about the school and its desire to Fight Poverty Through Education, so as a member of the School Board I endeavour to assist with the building program and other business items in conjunction with the other Board members and management.
Heather Barton
Director - Member of The East African Fund
My life’s work has been focused on helping young people achieve their potential; Gemma’s messages parked my enthusiasm, and in recognising the sheer audacity and enormity of the task ahead, my motivation to help was unleashed. I have 25 years experience in the not for profit sector, 11 years in education administration,and specialised skills in marketing, communications and fundraising. It is a privilege to work alongside committed supporters of St Jude’s.
John Bailey
Director - Member of The East African Fund
I became interested in the school in 2002 when my daughter Angela went to start the school with Gemma. Twelve months later my wife, Anne and I went to visit Ange. We were swept over with enthusiasm for the school from that moment. I joined the board shortly after that. I am a lawyer and from day one my main input into the board has been to ensure that the Fund complies with its legal obligations as a registered charity and to its incorporation.
Board Members – The School of St Jude Ltd. (Tanzanian Board)
Bibiana Maadai
Chairperson of The School of St Jude Ltd.
Education has always been my passion. I came into contact with St Jude’s when my grandson, Hans, was registered at the school. Gemma asked me to be on the board and I was elected Chairperson. I am motivated and inspired by the dedication and effort Gemma and her team put into St Jude’s to provide education for the neediest of our children in Tanzania. I also come from a very poor background, and I know what education can do. I like to contribute to that.
Mary Maeda
Board Member of The School of St Jude Ltd.
Now retired, I worked with the bank for 43 years. I am a widow, and mother of 12 children. I have known The School of St Jude since its foundation in Tanzania as they banked with our bank in Arusha. I love children, development, and the society at large.
Nicholaus Duhia
Board Member of The School of St Jude Ltd.
My passion for St Jude’s and education in general is founded on three basic tenets:- Mathew ch. 25:33-45 – service to the needy as a moral obligation rather than an actof charity - Civic obligation – service tomy nation - My perception of education as key to total emancipation of man from ignorance, poverty and disease.
Modest Akida
Board Member of The School of St Jude Ltd.
I am a Christian and a Tanzanian. I am a lawyer and an advocate at the High Court of Tanzania. I am married and blessed with two boys. I was proposed and invited by the board last year. It was initiated by my participation in church-related matters in Arusha,Tanzania and my support and care of the marginalised and the needy in the society, of which category The School of St Jude falls squarely into.
Mark Cubit
Board Member of The School of St Jude Ltd.
Gemma Sisia
Board Member of The School of St Jude Ltd.
Kim Saville
Board Member of The School of St Jude Ltd.
The School of St Jude Academic Leadership
Lower Primary Moshono Campus
Edward Mariki (Academic Master), George Stephen (Head of Lower Primary Campus), Ayubu Gadiye (Deputy), Bornfirst Mbuso (Deputy), Reginald Mongi (Welfare Deputy)
Upper Primary Moshono Campus
Husna Mdoe (Welfare Deputy), Augustine Mabula (Deputy), Ramadhani Shemnga (Deputy), Peter Manjalla (Head of Upper Primary Campus), Sr Celestine Nasiali (Moivaro Boarding Manager), Sebastian Gitbang (Academic Master)
Smith Secondary Campus, Usa River
Mshauri Calistus (Welfare Deputy), Desdery Tarimo (Operations Deputy), Pendo Jeremiah (Academic Mistress), Bernice Crompton (Secondary Boarding Manager), Rasul Abdul (Head of Secondary Smith Campus), Seraphine Lyimo (Academic Master)
