Down a small, windy dirt road in Sakina, Arusha's booming industrial area, the buzz of machinery and the smell of fresh wood filled the air.
The latest requirement for The School of St Jude, new chapel pews, are being constructed by local carpenters employed thanks to the school's investment in the local community.
Sam's Workshop is one of the local fundis (the Swahili word for tradesmen) who benefit from the 'ripple effects' of the day to day running of St Jude's. They build and repair the hundreds of desks, benches and equipment needed to operate the primary and secondary campuses.
'By having business from St Jude's I am able to employ extra local guys and it gives us work, company owner Sam proudly said, while examining the work.
It is estimated 70% of Tanzanian's live on less than AUS$2.50 a day, meaning every job makes a difference.
Economic Impact: Head of Maintenance and Facilities, Amani, is proud to give back to the Arusha community through local employment & investment.
Amani, Head of Maintenance and Facilities at St Jude's, explained that as the school continues to grow, so too does the positive impact on the local Arusha economy. By choosing to buy local over purchasing from a larger city like Dar es Saalam or importing from Nairobi St Jude's is ensuring that we impact many more families than just those of our students.
Last year, St Jude's injected over AUS$6 million into the East African economy, predominately in Arusha. That's made up of everything it takes to keep a school the size of St Jude's running day in and day out, from desks, books and computers to food and uniforms, right through to wages for staff.
'A lot of work goes to the local community. We pay fundis, tailors and others and we are buying materials and produce from local people. Local manufacturers and contractors are cheaper than imports because they are not including transport costs. They are thankful for the business, Amani shared with a smile.
Jobs boost: Tradesman work on the school's new chapel pews at Sam's Workshop.
St Jude's is also at the heart of the community according to the swathe of farmers and shop owners who deliver produce to the school's hardworking cooks each day.
Head Chef at Moshono Primary Campus, Julius, estimated the school spends more than AUS$7,900 at the market each week, buying food needed to feed the 1,800 hungry students.
'The farmers and local shop keepers tell me regularly that they are very thankful for the existence of the school as it brings them more business. We order good quality produce to give the students nutritious foods - making sure they have fruit every day means buying over 600 bananas a day! We buy local to boost the economy of the Arusha region, he divulged while sorting tomatoes for that day's lunch.
The ripple effect continues through to Arusha's bustling central market, reaching Double Door Textiles who provide the fabrics for all the students' school uniforms.
'I love doing business with St Jude's. This year I am providing over 40 rolls of fabric just for the secondary students' school uniforms. They are one of my top clients because of the quantity required to support the school and they ask for quality material that lasts, Double Door Owner, Amer Nassor commented.
Major order: Purchasing Assistant, Grace, picks up school uniform materials from Double Door Textiles in Arusha town.
His team are hard at work sourcing materials for the influx of new Form 5 students needing uniforms in June.
'I feel very proud when I see the students in the school uniform and also when I heard the Founder, Gemma, was happy with the quality of the fabrics, Amer smiled resting on a pile of colorful textiles.
The uniform is an important part of starting school life at St Jude's, receiving it is often when it truly becomes a reality for new students that they're about to begin their journey with a prestigious school. But young students, grow and their first uniform doesn't last forever, so making the uniforms is an ongoing task.
'We purchase a huge amount of fabric so that our tailors, based at Sisia Primary Campus can produce uniforms our students can be proud to wear. Our seller has been very good to us for a very long time and we have a good relationship with him, Purchasing Assistant, Grace, explained while supervising the St Jude's tailors.
So whether it's furniture, food produce, fabrics or employing local Arushins, St Jude's is not only fighting poverty through education, but is creating a ripple effect felt well beyond the campus gates.
The Lions Club in the Middle East have pledged to support the School of St Jude, an Arusha-based education centre, build a new girls secondary school for 600 students.
This was announced recently after the 16-year-old school participated in the Lions Clubs International Forum in Dubai where a special project ‘Fighting Poverty through Education’ was launched.
During the event, the school clearly stated its intention of providing women and girls with equal access to education as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal number five.
Currently the co-educational school, which runs primary and secondary wings, has a total of 1,800 pupils, 1,400 of whom are boarders in its three campuses in and around Arusha.
The proposed all-girls school hopes to admit 600 girls, according to Ms. Leonie Trubshoe, the school official in charge of communication and media matters.
The Lions clubs will actively support our drive to build a new girls secondary school for 600 students, she said, adding that this would ensure opening up more chances for those from the poor families.
We love to empower our female students. We provide an equal opportunity for all students regardless of religion, tribe or gender’, she told the Citizen.
About 60 per cent of all students at the education institution established by Ms. Gemma Sisia, an Australian national in 2002, are girls.
The School’s spokesperson could not reveal the estimated cost of the new campus for the girl students. It offers free education targeting the young learners from the poor families.
It is estimated that about 90 per cent of funds used for running the education centre, which employs 300 staff members, each year is raised in Australia and other countries abroad.
The St Jude School started with a campus in Moshono, followed later by a much larger and famous campus at Usa River (near the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge) while the third one was set up at Moivaro.
The Tanzanian Citizen (read the original article here).
Exclusively for our graduates, we help The School of St Jude recruit and support top creative talent to best communicate their important mission—providing high-quality education to 1800 of the brightest and poorest students in Tanzania. Selected from families living on less than $2 a day, St Jude’s students receive an education that consistently ranks in the top 10% nationally. Andy Shillington, Founder and CEO of Shillington is a long-time donor and loves connecting our design graduates to the school’s important work.
In 2016, New York graduate Connie Leung spent one year designing for good at St Jude’s, and now—in 2018, London graduate Kate Holland takes the reins. “A talented, enthusiastic graphic designer helps us find new and exciting ways to share our story,” says Gemma Sisia, Founder of St Jude’s. “Good design connects with our supporters from all over the world who help us do an amazing job fighting poverty through education here in Tanzania.”
Here’s our full interview with Kate. Find out why she’s pumped to work with such a beautiful brand for a good cause, what life is like so far in Arusha and why she’s passionate about this important work.
Congratulations on being selected for the Shillington Design Safari at St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania! How does it feel?
Seriously incredible and totally surreal at the same time! I had such build up of anticipation before coming here and now that I’m actually standing on Tanzanian soil I can’t believe it. What they’re doing here at St Jude’s is beyond words. It’s very moving to see the students gorgeous, cheery smiles around the campus every day, it’s a constant reminder of why I’m here.
Since arriving, I’ve been blown away by the kindness and contentment of the people, their humble approach to life, the way people greet each other and just the everyday on-goings of life in Arusha. I’ve never been to Tanzania before so it’s all extremely eye opening but I feel like I’m meant to be here, I’m ready to call this place home.
You actually saw Gemma Sisia, founder of St Jude’s speak while studying at All Saints Anglican School and it “shifted and heightened [your] interest to aid others”. Tell us more about what her talk meant to you.
Having grown up on the Gold Coast and then seen others parts of the world, I think we have no idea just how lucky we are to have access to privileges that many people do not experience. Listening to this inspiring woman talk about the unimaginable extremes of poverty and lack of education in Tanzania, it really put a lot of things in perspective for me.
It was about 10 years ago so the school was still in its early stages, but you could tell that St Jude’s was no ordinary organisation. Even then, what Gemma had done was incredible – to think that she started with $10 in a bank account and not much knowledge of building schools is probably the most inspiring story I’ve ever heard. A few of my closest friends went over to visit St Jude’s on a school trip and seeing their pictures made me realise that one day I just had to go over, experience it for myself and help in whatever way possible.
Before coming here I read Gemma’s book about St Jude’s—an absolute must read! It gives such an insight into her background and shows how one person with enough good-will, motivation, love and selflessness can actually change lives and have huge positive impacts on a community. Her story is incredibly moving and really prompted me to think about the way I live my life.
Besides being inspired by Gemma, why else did you decide to apply for the opportunity?
I love seeing the world, I love new challenges, I love immersing myself in other cultures and also, why not? I think it was a sign when I received the email from Shillington advertising the design safari and I wasn’t going to ignore it. It was a great opportunity to not only continue working in design but also produce work that is fulfilling and for a fantastic cause. Sometimes you can get caught up in all the materialism and mundanity of design so it’ll be nice to feel like my work is making a difference, even if it’s ever so small!
Why are you excited to work with Seesaw’s branding?
St Jude’s has taken such a massive leap in the right direction with this rebrand. I’m only two weeks in and I can already see how imperative this new brand is for St Jude’s.
It’s energetic and fun, it’s colourful, it’s the kids on the playground at lunchtime, it’s positive, it’s impactful, it’s the atmosphere of the campus and it’s also so much more!
Seesaw Studio and Connie have done an incredible job and I hope I can fill their shoes as I continue to roll out the branding across bigger and better things!
What else are you most looking forward to during your time at St Jude’s?
Making life-long friends and memories with like-minded people who are here for a great cause. Trying to understand and immerse myself as much as I can in the Tanzanian way of life and maybe becoming fluent in Swahili! I also can’t wait to interact with and get to know some of the students a bit more, we have some interns in our team who are completing a Community Service Year internship through our graduate program, Beyond St Jude’s. Many graduates choose to participate in the program as a way to give back to the school that gave them so much, and when they’re working right beside you, you realise just how far they’ve come, thanks to an education at St Jude’s.
I’m also really looking forward to going on Safari, I’ve heard so many great things about the safaris in Tanzania and can’t wait to see it for myself!
What were you up to before studying at Shillington? Why did you want to study design?
I’ve always been quite creative but also very methodical and logical so design seemed like the perfect avenue for me. I went to a Shillington Info Session in Brisbane while I was still at school and something about it definitely felt right, so it was always in the back of my mind.
Then I finished high school in 2011, turned 18 the following year and jetted off to Europe for a gap year. I fell in love with London and made the decision to stay as I was having the time of my life. After a year, I decided (with the help of my lovely parents!) that I would enrol to study at Shillington in London, and the rest is history!
Where has life taken you since graduating?
Since graduating I moved back to Australia as no one would marry me for a UK visa! I worked on the Gold Coast for a year and then moved to Brisbane for two years working for a boutique hospitality group and then back to the Gold Coast to work on the 2018 Commonwealth Games and now to Tanzania! I think studying at Shillington was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was exactly what I needed and look where it has taken me—I couldn’t ask for anything more!
Anything else you’d like to share?
ASANTE SANA (‘thank you’ in Swahili) to Shillington for giving me this opportunity and supporting such a great cause!
Huge thanks to Kate for sharing her Shillington Design Safari story! Be sure to check out her website.
Cloncurry local, Lexie Hudson, is one of seven young Australian leaders who have embarked on a three week Tanzanian Immersion trip.
yLead’s Tanzanian Immersion has focused on connecting young people through adventure, service, connection and cultural immersion, through which it is hoped these women are inspired to make a difference in their local communities.
Ms Hudson and the other leaders climbed to The Roof of Africa, at the peak of the highest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro, immersed themselves in the African wildlife during a safari, spent a night in a local teacher’s home on a cultural homestay and relaxed on the island of Zanzibar.
A key objective of the Immersion this year was to celebrate women supporting women, with a special visit to The School of St Jude in Arusha.
The group spent just over a week teaching English in local schools, holding an athletics carnival, planting trees, and building their cultural understanding with the people of Tanzania.
This year’s participants alone raised $8000, and were able to see the life-changing impact that this fundraising has on the school, and community of Arusha first hand.
Founded by Australian woman, Gemma Sisia in 2002, St Jude has grown from three attendees and one teacher on its opening day, to now providing an education to over 1800 local children who would otherwise be unable to get an education due to living in an impoverished community.
yLead has harvested a partnership with The School of St Jude, funding the opening of a girl’s boarding house in 2011, which now houses 80 girls. Since connecting with Gemma Sisia in 2009, yLead has donated over $230,000 to The School of St Jude.
yLead CEO, Bel Yorston, speaks passionately, saying that “it is so important that we connect young Australian women with inspiring mentors across the globe, and inspire them to use their knowledge and skills to make a difference in their own communities,”
Bel Yorston also said “we often read about these remarkable women, however, to actually see this first hand puts the impact that one strong woman can have on both her community, and other women across the globe into perspective.”
Good afternoon lovelies! Hope everyone around the world is enjoying the weekend, especially over here in the UAE where we have been treated to an extra day off! This month has been particularly busy at work which resulted in this post being published so late. Nevertheless, I am absolutely thrilled to share this month’s power lady, who is doing her bit to change the world.
Gemma Sisia is the founder of The School of St. Jude in Tanzania which provides a free high quality education to underprivileged children in Tanzania.
Gemma’s humble beginnings started in Australia where education was always a strong part of her life. It is through her belief that children from poor families should also have access to education that The School of St. Jude was created. Gemma’s fascination with helping African children started when she witnessed the news coverage of the Ethiopian famine, which led her to volunteer in Uganda and eventually set her life path to Tanzania.
Gemma overcame all obstacles which tried to falter with her goals, especially being a white woman trying to set up a school in a small closed society which she was not a native of. Through these hardships, she has established a successful school which has provided an education to over 1,800 students who may never have had the opportunity.
She is currently working on building a girls only school in order to encourage Muslim girls to get a proper education, as she noticed that most families do not allow a co-educational environment.
You must be wondering how this ties back to My Pink Diary? Well, although I have never met Gemma, I was inspired by her story having spent half of my life in Africa and witnessing first hand how much poverty affects children.
This topic is very close to my heart as I had the opportunity to work with different organisations to help the youngsters whose lives were so different from mine in Nigeria. While it is difficult to change governmental systems and corrupt politicians, I strongly support and respect women like Gemma who take a stand and create a platform which encourages and empowers children to realise their full potential and to give them a future.
Enjoy her story!
Quick facts:
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have never been one to reflect, so find it difficult to describe myself. My priorities in life are being a good wife and mother. My family is the most important aspect of my life. I love establishing things, being involved in start-ups and am always willing to help others who, in turn, are working towards helping those less fortunate than themselves.
2. How do you handle difficult times in your life?
“This too will pass” – no matter how bad something appears, ride it out. I count it down – just get to noon, just get to 5pm – everything passes, you just need to be patient and wait it out.
3. What is your secret to achieving the right balance between your career, family, friends and doing what you really love?
I say ‘NO’. There are things that I know I would enjoy – like going out more – but I can’t. So, I say ‘NO’.
4. What are your hobbies?
I love organising family trips and adventures like going camping on a Saturday night, or going on safari with my husband and kids. It’s magic away from the bustle – just quiet time with my family and the sounds of the animals in the dark. Getting away with family is a hobby, a passion and my idea of complete happiness.
5. What are your tips for happiness?
Enjoy the little things – they are the most precious. It makes me happy to listen to the next student who walks in and tells me what he/she is doing with their life since leaving St Jude’s. It makes me happy to attend a formal event, which has been completely organised by my staff and like other guests, I learn what is happening as the evening progresses, without having zero input into the organisation. The best time of the day is an evening walk with my kids and our dogs. All little things, but all so precious in the scheme of life.
6. Who is your role model or someone you look up to?
As a young girl, I kept a picture of Mother Teresa on my wall. Now, as an adult, I know my true heroes were my parents. They instilled in me the importance of education, faith and a willingness to help others. They were always counselling or helping others, doing things for the community. We had a pile of mattresses stored at home for extra people who needed somewhere to stay. When my father died, there was an honour guard formed by so many people who society had turned their backs on and my father helped them. It was a real lesson on how much a little can mean to a lot.
7. What have been the most exciting milestones in your life?
Getting married and having my four wonderful children; the first day of school when we opened the gates of The School of St Jude and the first day of every school term as we welcome more and more children of all faiths and tribes, giving them a future their parents never dreamed possible. Watching our first set of graduates go into community service and then onward to university – and my next exciting milestone will be 2019 when our first students begin graduating from university going into the world as tertiary educated young men and women forging their way in the world.
8. If you could change one thing in the world right now, what would it be?
I’d do away with the need for bureaucracy! If people acted ethically and honestly, there would be no need to have myriads of rules and contracts, but sadly, that is not the world we currently live in.
9. There are still a lot of cultures and societies who frown upon successful women. Why do you think that is, and how can it change?
Fortunately, that has never been an issue for me in Tanzania and I have never been disadvantaged by being a woman. I have always been respected here. I grew up in an old-fashioned household where my father was always the head and with seven brothers, I am used to living and working with men. However, some men simply don’t like change and in fact have an irrational fear of change. At The School of St Jude, we have many male teachers and they are always encouraging the young female students to succeed, to seize their power and be a force in the world – after all, women are the first teachers in the home.
In Africa, girls are often considered second-class citizens and many families believe that it is a waste of time educating them, putting a lot of pressure on girls to drop out of school, but we are facilitating changes in traditional community mind-sets. St Jude’s firmly believes in the education of girls. The school does not discriminate when selecting students although over the years St Jude’s has educated more female than male students. Our female teachers and leaders are strong role models, and the school’s welfare team works through any issues of discrimination, both with the students and their families.
10. What advice can you offer for men and women, trying to balance a career, family and personal life?
Don’t measure yourself against others. Do what works for you and your situation. Don’t conform to social pressure. I need to work to be a happy mum – happy mum equals happy husband and kids. Create a family lifestyle that, as a woman, makes you happy. Set realistic expectations and be content – content and thankful for what you have.
The School of St Jude is a special project of UAE Lions Clubs. For more information please contact: augusto.dipietro@internationallionsclub.com
My Pink Diary (read the original article here).
Students from the Dominican College Wicklow were blessed with some great weather as they carried out a five-hour fundraising car wash at the school.
The event on Saturday, April 21, was held to raise funds for the School of St Jude in Tanzania.
The School of St Jude educates disadvantaged, bright students in the Arusha area of Tanzania to help them become moral and intellectual leaders in their country. The school receives no State funding so depends entirely on voluntary donations.
Some Dominican students will travel over to Tanzania in the summer.
Some of the students plan on running marathons to raise money while other fundraisers were held during the week, including a cinema day. The funds raised through the car wash are still being established but €22,000 had already been raised prior to that through a series of other different events.
Bray People (read the original article here).
