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Joe Hockey MP – Shadow Treasurer and Member for North Sydney
Gemma Sisia is one of the most remarkable and inspiring people I have ever met. Having visited the School of St Jude in 2009 while in the region climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, I have seen first-hand the great work Gemma and her team are doing for some of the poorest communities on the earth.

I am pleased to endorse this unique charity. In fact, I was so impressed with Gemma and the story of St Jude’s that I invited her to speak at the 23rd Annual Australian Parliamentary Breakfast (November 2009) in Canberra. I look forward to following the progress of The School of St Jude.
News
In The Press

There are football-crazy kids everywhere

Paula Hanson

Paul Smeaton | Queensland Times
29 September 2011

You love football and you want to help kids at St Jude's? Football-mad Tori-Lee Jackson asked fellow players to donate  boots for  St Jude's. Now 60 football-crazy kids at St Jude's will get their first football boots.

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Climbing mountains

Paula Hanson

Liz Hedge | ABC Western Plains
25 November 2011

Paula Hanson and Kerry-Lyn Strain told ABC Breakfast listeners about their visit to St Jude's. "It was the 'wow' factor of, I can't believe one person and the support of the world, I guess, have created such an environment for children," Paula said.

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Baton Rouge 'Red Shoes' brigade

Red Shoes in Baton Rouge

Carol Anne Blitzer |
9 November 2011

A Baton Rouge group, called 'Red Shoes' decided to sponsor a child at St. Jude's. "I see these children as a metaphor. They will add to the structure, to the culture and to the quality of life in their home, in their area."

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Ivanhoe Grammar Fundraiser

Armidale Kids

 

A fundraiser at Ivanhoe Grammar's Founders Day service at St Pauls Cathedral will help run St Jude's buses.

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Armidale kids

Armidale Kids

Armidale Express
3 August 2011

Six Armidale children took it upon themselves to raise money for the School of St Jude last Saturday.

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The right thing came along

Ann-Maree Spackman

Contact Magazine
2011

Ann-Maree Spackman starts her two-year appointment as Finance Manager at St Jude's.  "I’d got to the stage in life where you think, yeah, there’s more to it than this and you start looking and hope for the right thing to come along. It was karma."

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The biggest impression

Weily family

Hobson Bay Leader
26 July 2011

Helen Weily, Maria del Pilar Espinosa Molina and Denis Weily hosted a fundraiser at Williamstown to raise money for three projects. Helen said that the School of St Jude made the biggest impression on her in her travels. "The kids going there are the poorest of the poor and Gemma gives them opportunities," she said.

 

Better lighting for homes

Devereux family

Shane | Illumination Blog
19 July 2011

Illumination provides cheap solar LED lights that replace the kerosine lighting commonly used by poor families. Read how they are partnering with St Jude's...

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A Lesson from Africa

Devereux family

Michael McGuire | Adelaide Now
16 July 2011

Summer holidays for teenagers Scarlett and Riley Deveraux wasn't what they expected. Their parents, Annette and Shane, gave the whole family a learning experience when they visited the School of St Jude...

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Autumn goodwill in Blayney

Blayney Chronicle
5 May 2011

The Inner Wheel Club of Blayney held a garden party fundraiser to sponsor a student and a teacher at St Jude's. Over 80 guests enjoyed the beautiful autumnal weather.

 

Photographer's delight

Simon Scott

Catherine Marshall | The Australian
26 March 2011

Everywhere he went, Africa would tap photographer Simon Scott on the shoulder. Soon he was inhaling the African scent of charcoal, banana leaves and raindrops ricocheting off hot earth...

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Kaitlyn's Challenge

Kaitlyn Oddy

Casey Conley | Seacoast Online
24 March 2011

Kaitlyn says her Kilimanjaro climb was the "growing experience of a lifetime" not only for the challenges of the physical climb, but also for the children she met at St Jude's. "These kids have really big dreams...."

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Mentor's Maximum impact

Max O'Sullivan

Talia Pattison | The Irrigator
21 January 2011

Max O'Sullivan spent 2010 at the School of St Jude, working as a teach mentor. He enjoyed the experience so much that he plans to return soon, possibly next month!

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Teen takes a big trip to help others

Danielle Jenkins

Eliza Rogers | The Katherine Times
19 January 2011

Danni’elle Jenkins joined a yLead group visit to The School of St Jude. Danni’elle said the trip was an amazing experience and commented on the children’s optimism....

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Teacher is off to Africa

Teacher is off to Africa

By Karen Sweeney | Bendigo Advertiser
21 December 2010

Lucy Spalding will spend this Christmas making her way to Tanzania to start a new career. On Friday she will fly out to start as the School of St Jude’s new physical education teacher...

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Mike's twofold return

Teacher is off to Africa

By Nick Duxson | Moonee Valley Weekly
30 November 2010

Mike Boyle believes that a real community business is about balance and for everything we give away we get back twofold...

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Challenge of a lifetime

Russell Gilbert

Madeleine Healey | Melton Leader
29 November 2010

Bacchus Marsh Rotarian Russell Gilbert faces the challenge of a lifetime: climbing Mt Kilimanjaro to raise money for the School of St Jude. He will also visit children sponsored by himself and Bacchus Marsh Rotarians.

 

Carey's numbers add up

Teacher is off to Africa

Hills Gazette
20 November 2010

Carey Guetano was pleased to find that her accountancy skills are useful at The School of St Jude. She said, "I love that everyday living in Tanzania gives me an opportunity to learn new things, not just about the culture but also about myself."
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Students help students

Rebecca, Daniel, Hannah and Emma

Andrew Korner | The Queensland Times
19 November 2010

Four West Moreton Anglican College students are giving up half of their Christmas holidays to help struggling kids in Africa...

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Chooks for Mums on a Mission

Mums on a Mission

New England Focus
November 2010

The Armidale group 'Mums on a Mission' took themselves beyond their comfort zone and had life-changing experiences ....

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Team spirit across continents

Scott Sanders

San Diego County Edition
November 2010

The St Jude's Running Club now has custom-designed t-shirts, thanks to La Jolla students and their coach Scott Sanders. The shirts were sold with a two for one approach: Buy a shirt for yourself and one for the newly formed St Jude's Running Club. Sanders traveled to Arusha and delivered 42 shirts to the St Jude's coach and team.

 


 

Lick it, stick it!

Stamps

Stamp News International
29 October 2010

The School of St Jude stamp series is available in all Tanzanian post offices and will promote the school's motto of fighting poverty through education within the country and the rest of the world.

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Volunteers

Teacher is off to Africa

Tamborine Times
30 September 2010

The Founder and Director of the school credits the success of St Jude's not only to the dedicated students who study hard and academic staff who run each of the campuses, but also to the volunteers, who come from all around the world...

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Mums on a Mission

Mums on a Mission

New England Focus
September 2010

The Armidale group 'Mums on a Mission' continue the tradition of the people from Armidale who have supported the School of St Jude from the very beginning ....

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Living your values

Sarah Papsum

David Hennessey | Norwalk Citizen
24 September 2010

Sarah Papsum credits her mother with instilling the values of education, culture, travel and learning new things. Her support for the School of St Jude brings all these values together. She is delighted to help her sponsored student reach his goal to be a pilot.

 

Barista volunteers in coffee homeland

Barista is off to Africa

By Ellisha Puglia | Gold Coast Mail
2 September 2010

Jessica White left her barista job to work as Sponsor Relations Co-ordinator in East Africa...

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An opportunity too good to miss

Teacher is off to Africa

By Krysta Eaves | Evening Gazette
16 August 2010

Brad Jones scaled two African mountains for charity and he has chosen to stay in Tanzania, the country he has come to love...

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Businesses back school for needy

St Jude

By Jackson Saunders | Bendigo Advertiser
9 August 2010

BENDIGO businesses have shown their support for a school in Tanzania. It came as part of Donate-a-Day, which Bendigo’s Nicole Murphy started five years ago...

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Sharing your enthusiasm

Kerim Nutku

Straus Historical Society
August 2010

Kerim Nutku shared his enthusiasm for the School of St Jude with his extended American family via the Straus Family Newsletter. "If it moves you, as it did me, I hope you will join me in supporting this success story." .

 

In training

Tom and Felicity Harley

Sun Herald
25 July 2010

Tom and Felicity Harley are in training to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, with the aim of raising $30,000 for the School of St Jude. The former Geelong captain and editor of Women's Health magazine will aim to climb the mountain in early December.

 

Dianas Afrika - fra Gullestrup til Tanzania

St Jude

By Astrid Bigum Kristensen | Herning Folkeblad
22 July 2010

Diana Jørgensen fra Gullestrup bor i Tanzania, hvor hun arbejder på en skole for fattige børn. Hun savner Danmark, men kan heller ikke undvære Afrika...

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Harleys get fit for African adventure

Harleys get fit for African adventure

By Yasmin Paton | Geelong Advertiser
10 July 2010

AIN'T no mountain high enough for Tom and Felicity Harley with the pair set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The former Cats captain and Channel Seven AFL commentator will join his wife...

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The Principal's Message

The Principal's Message

Dubai British School Dispatch
13 June 2010

One of the great privileges of my job is that I get to meet such interesting people. A little while ago, I was contacted by a school in Tanzania called The School of St. Jude. Would I be interested in meeting the head, Gemma Sisia...

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Rotarians dig deep for African school

Rotarians dig deep for African school

Bay of Plenty Times
3 May 2010

Bay rotarians helped raise $4680 for a school in Tanzania over the weekend, after a moving presentation from the school's founder. Nearly 300 Rotarians and their partners from throughout the Central North Island converged on Baypark...

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Giving African kids a chance

Giving African kids a chance

By Erin Williams | Ballarat Courier
28 Apr 2010

Gemma Sisia has proven that little people can make big things happen. Almost 10 years ago the former New South Wales country girl was thrown $10 from a friend to shut her up talking about opening a school in Tanzania, Africa...

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Anything is possible, with support

Gemma Sisia

Jemima Stagg | The Advocate
27 April 2010

Gemma spoke at the Axmans Hall of Fame at Latrobe in Tasmania. Among other things, she acknowedged the support of Rotarians at all stages of the School's development.

 

Foreign aid

Foreign aid

Daily Telegraph
20 Apr 2010

While we often think there is little one person can do to relieve world poverty, there have been many individuals who have given it a go. Some are wealthy philanthropists (from the Greek meaning lover of people) such as businessman ...

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Inspirational leaders share words of wisdom

Inspirational leaders share words of wisdom

The Catholic Leader
4 April 2010

YEAR 11 students at Nudgee College have already begun preparing for future leadership. Two inspirational Australians visited the college recently to talk to the students about their work...

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Bernie Kelly's ambition

Bernie Kelly and Gemma

Bayside Chronicle
9 March 2010

Bayside business operator Bernie Kelly set an ambitious task of raising $400,000 for a new dormitory at the School of St Jude in Tanzania through yLead.

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Philosophy on life

Gemma with kids

By Seema Duggal | Side Street Sydney
9 March 2010

This profile of Gemma describes her as ... somewhat of a celebrity in the altruistic world, with the philosophy that Education brings knowledge, and knowledge is power.

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Jodie's on the bus

Country generosity

Bendigo Weekly
25 February 2010

BENDIGONIAN Jodie Fitzgerald is currently on a trip of a lifetime having just arrived in Arusha, Tanzania. After several weeks touring the Middle East, the 25 year old is visiting the School of St Jude, a charity founded by another Australian woman, Gemma Sisia...

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Spreading the word

Wyndham Weekly
24 Freburary 2010

The Listen Up announcement: Gemma Sisia - the founder and director of The School of St Jude in Arusha, Tanzania, is touring her homeland, giving a talk of her journey, 4pm Sunday, Geelong Heritage Centre.

 

Anything to make a difference

Anything to make a difference

By Lea Keel Holland | The Kappa Alpha Theta Magazine
September 2009 (Autumn 2009 Issue)

WHILE Alexandra Schaerrer was growing up in Zurich, Switzerland, she lived less than two hours away from the horrors of the ethno-nationalist conflict in Yugoslavia. "We had one or two refugee ...

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School's founder thanks city donors

School's founder thanks city donors

By Alyssa Kimlin | The Chronicle
8 June 2009

THE sparkling beauty of Toowoomba shrouded in fog greeted Gemma Sisia when she drove up the Toowoomba Range on Thursday night. The founder of the School of St Jude in northern Tanzania ...

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Sponsors give students a helping hand

Sponsors give students a helping hand

By Alyssa Kimlin | The Chronicle
3 June 2009

GEMMA Sisia knows knowledge is power and she is determined to give the students at the School of St Jude in Tanzania all the knowledge she can.

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Recession threatens Africa charities

Recession threatens Africa charities

By Megan Zingarelli | CNN
20 April 2009

The world has seen banks and businesses fail spectacularly since the recession began, but other vulnerable organizations in the developing world face devastation. The recession is hitting the flow ...

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Travellers help school

Travellers help school

By Denice Barnes | Central Coast Express Advocate
18 November 2008

FIVE Central Coast women visited Africa recently armed with hundreds of royal blue socks and computer equipment. The women, all Central Coast Zonta members, answered an SOS from School of ...

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Weary walkers welcomed after 11-day trek

Weary walkers welcomed after 11-day trek

By Alicia Wood | St George & Sutherland Shire The Leader
8 October 2008

THREE sisters and their sister-in-law stepped on to Waratah Oval, Sutherland on Monday to the strains of Queen's We are the Champions. Wendy Phillpott, Joanne Charlton, Kerrie Swampillai and Simone ...

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St Jude walkers here tomorrow

St Jude walkers here tomorrow

Lauren Green | The Manning River Times
30 September 2008

THE Manning will be visited tomorrow by seven people walking from Surfers Paradise to Sutherland to raise money for the School of St Jude in Tanzania.

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Stepping out for school

Stepping out for school

Manning Great Lakes Extra
25 September 2008

SEVEN people walking from Surfers Paradise to Sutherland to raise money for the School of St Jude in Tanzania will pass through Manning on October 1 and 2. The School of St Jude was started in 2002 ...

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Reaching out to Tanzania

Reaching out to Tanzania

Maureen Magee | The San Diego Union-Tribune
20 September 2008

Living in poverty-stricken Tanzania, where most homes have dirt floors and lack electricity and plumbing, Emmanuel George is about as far away from the La Jolla lifestyle as it gets. ...

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The belles of St. Jude - Africa's best and brightest

ACCENT: The belles of St. Jude - Africa's best and brightest

Mary Katherine Keown | The Sudbury Star
23 August 2008

There is a lot of giggling at the School of St. Jude. It is lunch time and the students are inhaling plates full of rice and beans at seemingly super-human speed, in order to maximize play time ...

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An international celebration for the school of St Jude at Usa River

An international celebration for the school of St Jude at Usa River

Alison Hunter | The Arusha Times
18 July 2008

The ribbon has been cut and the School of St Jude’s Usa River campus is officially open! With the new school hall full and Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, the Tanzanian Minister for Education ...

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St. Jude opens second campus at Usa River

St. Jude opens second campus at Usa River

The Arusha Times
11 July 2008

St Jude may be the patron of hopeless causes but he certainly knows how to support a school! The excitement is mounting at the School of St Jude as it gets ready to officially open it’s second campus ...

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Lessons of hope

Lessons of hope

Linda Morris | Sydney Morning Herald
5 May 2007

Every person comes across signposts in life that send them in new directions, either bringing opportunities, new meaning and joy or leading down dark paths of heartache, loneliness ...

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A future beckons

A future beckons

Roslyn Guy | The Age
4 September 2006

IT’S a Monday night in Camberwell, a time when most people are content to stay home and watch television, but St Dominic’s parish hall is overflowing. Instead of the 30 or so supporters ...

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The School of St Jude on Australian Story (Transcript)

A future beckons

Australian Story
15 August 2005

This is the transcript of the Australian Story episode about Gemma Sisia's story and The School of St Jude which first aired on Australian television channel ABC on Monday 15 August 2005.

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