Governance - Draft

Our guiding bodies

The School of St Jude Ltd

Our INGO Board of Directors

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner.
St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.

Financial reports

Please contact us for a copy of our latest audited annual financial report.
Request a report

Primary School Committee

Our Primary School Committee is made up of St Jude’s staff, parents and local community members. The committee’s role is to advise school management on Tanzanian Education Policy.

Secondary School Boards

In accordance with statutory requirements, both of St Jude’s secondary schools operate under their own Secondary School Board. Our boards comprise St Jude’s staff, parents and local community members and advise management of Tanzanian Education Policy.
The Tanzanian Board of Directors

Dr Richard Masika

Chairperson
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Mark Cubit

Director
Mark Cubit became a Director of The School of St Jude in 2010.

He manages two charitable foundations based in Australia which support over fifty projects in fifteen countries. In addition he advises on a number of investment portfolios, following 15 years with Merrill Lynch Australia.

Mark became involved with St Jude’s as a donor in 2005 and upon becoming more familiar with the school’s work, sought a greater involvement.

Rachael Hewes

Director
Rachael is St Jude’s current Fundraising and Strategic Development Senior Manager. She has worked at St Jude’s since 2012 when she joined the school as a photographer. Rachael was raised in Sydney and Singapore, before attending the Australian National University. She joined the board in 2021.

Rachael is a mother to one daughter.

Mary Maeda

Director
Mary has known about The School of St Jude since its foundation through her work at the bank used by the school. Following a 40 year career in banking, Mary retired and joined the board, motivated by her love of children and passion for development.

Mary is an Arusha local, a widow and a mother of 12.

Dr Richard Masika

Director
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Fr Festus Mangwangi

Director
Father Festus is a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha and a committed Director of The School of St Jude. He enjoys being a board member as it allows him to learn from others and gives him the opportunity to help the fight against poverty through education.

Gemma Sisia

Director
Gemma is the Founder and driving force behind St Jude’s. She and her husband, Richard Sisia, are the loving parents of four children; Nathaniel, Jackob, Isabella and Louisa. Gemma is the only daughter among the eight children of Sue and Basil Rice and was raised on a sheep station in NSW, Australia.

During years of teaching and travel in East Africa in her early 20s, Gemma developed a conviction that education was the best way of fighting poverty. Later, her father-in-law gave her the land on which to build St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania.

Following Gemma’s fundraising in Australia, the school opened in 2002 and continues to provide a free, quality education to bright, poor students.

Prof. Liliane Pasape

Director
Prof. Liliane Pasape is an Associate Professor and the Dean, School of Business Studies and Humanities at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania.

She holds a PhD in Business Administration. She has experience in academia, public, and private sectors, focusing on teaching, research and consultancy.

Bibiana Mardai

Chairperson
Bibiana has been a member of the school board since its formation and today she is Chairperson of the board. With a strong belief in the power of education, Bibiana supports St Jude’s in our work to provide the poorest students of the Arusha region with free, quality education.

Bibiana has served on a number of school boards in Arusha and nearby Moshi. Her expertise is in medical technology and she currently works for a medical technologist with Jobi Medical and Laboratory services. Previously, Bibiana worked in human laboratory diagnostics.

Mark Cubit

Director
Mark Cubit became a Director of The School of St Jude in 2010.

He manages two charitable foundations based in Australia which support over fifty projects in fifteen countries. In addition he advises on a number of investment portfolios, following 15 years with Merrill Lynch Australia.

Mark became involved with St Jude’s as a donor in 2005 and upon becoming more familiar with the school’s work, sought a greater involvement.

Rachael Hewes

Director
Rachael is St Jude’s current Donor and Sponsor Relations Manager. She has worked at St Jude’s since 2012 when she joined the school as a photographer. Rachael was raised in Sydney and Singapore, before attending the Australian National University. She joined the board in 2021.

Rachael is a mother to one daughter.

Mary Maeda

Director
Mary has known about The School of St Jude since its foundation through her work at the bank used by the school. Following a 40 year career in banking, Mary retired and joined the board, motivated by her love of children and passion for development.

Mary is an Arusha local, a widow and a mother of 12.

Dr Richard Masika

Director
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Fr Festus Mangwangi

Director
Father Festus is a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha and a committed Director of The School of St Jude. He enjoys being a board member as it allows him to learn from others and gives him the opportunity to help the fight against poverty through education.

Gemma Sisia

Director
Gemma is the Founder and driving force behind St Jude’s. She and her husband, Richard Sisia, are the loving parents of four children; Nathaniel, Jackob, Isabella and Louisa. Gemma is the only daughter among the eight children of Sue and Basil Rice and was raised on a sheep station in NSW, Australia.

During years of teaching and travel in East Africa in her early 20s, Gemma developed a conviction that education was the best way of fighting poverty. Later, her father-in-law gave her the land on which to build St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania.

Following Gemma’s fundraising in Australia, the school opened in 2002 and continues to provide a free, quality education to bright, poor students.

Governance

Strong governance helps The School of St Jude remain accountable, sustainable and focused on our mission of fighting poverty through education.
St Jude's governance structure brings together six governance bodies across Tanzania, Australia and the United States. Each has distinct responsibilities, while working together to support the school’s mission and long-term sustainability.

The School of St Jude in Tanzania is governed by an iNGO Board of Directors and operates three separately registered schools, each with its own statutory governance body. St Jude's is also supported by independent organisations in Australia and the United States, each governed by its own Board of Directors.

Together, these organisations provide governance, oversight, financial stewardship and support for St Jude's work in Tanzania.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.

Financial reports

Strong financial accountability is an important part of St Jude's governance. The school's accounts are independently audited each year.

Please contact us to request a copy of our latest audited annual financial report.
Request a report
Policies and Reports

How our governance works

The School of St Jude is an International Non-Governmental Organisation registered in Tanzania. It is responsible for managing the school, including its strategy, operations, education
programs and financial management.

The school works in partnership with The School of St Jude Australia Limited and American Friends of The School of St Jude Tanzania, Inc. These independent organisations raise and steward funds in their respective countries and monitor the application of funds provided to St Jude's in Tanzania.

The relationship between the three organisations is formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding. It sets out their shared objectives and responsibilities and supports accountability and transparency.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.

The School of St Jude iNGO Board of Directors

The School of St Jude is a registered International Non-Governmental Organisation under Tanzania's Non-Governmental Organisations Act, 2002.

The school is governed by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are Tanzanian. Board members bring expertise from a range of professional and community backgrounds.

The Board provides governance and strategic oversight, supports the management team and helps ensure St Jude's mission, policies and strategic goals are upheld.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.
Meet our iNGO Board of Directors

Dr Richard Masika

Chairperson
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Mark Cubit

Director
Mark Cubit became a Director of The School of St Jude in 2010.

He manages two charitable foundations based in Australia which support over fifty projects in fifteen countries. In addition he advises on a number of investment portfolios, following 15 years with Merrill Lynch Australia.

Mark became involved with St Jude’s as a donor in 2005 and upon becoming more familiar with the school’s work, sought a greater involvement.

Rachael Hewes

Director
Rachael is St Jude’s current Fundraising and Strategic Development Senior Manager. She has worked at St Jude’s since 2012 when she joined the school as a photographer. Rachael was raised in Sydney and Singapore, before attending the Australian National University. She joined the board in 2021.

Rachael is a mother to one daughter.

Mary Maeda

Director
Mary has known about The School of St Jude since its foundation through her work at the bank used by the school. Following a 40 year career in banking, Mary retired and joined the board, motivated by her love of children and passion for development.

Mary is an Arusha local, a widow and a mother of 12.

Dr Richard Masika

Director
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Fr Festus Mangwangi

Director
Father Festus is a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha and a committed Director of The School of St Jude. He enjoys being a board member as it allows him to learn from others and gives him the opportunity to help the fight against poverty through education.

Gemma Sisia

Director
Gemma is the Founder and driving force behind St Jude’s. She and her husband, Richard Sisia, are the loving parents of four children; Nathaniel, Jacob, Isabella and Louisa. Gemma is the only daughter among the eight children of Sue and Basil Rice and was raised on a sheep station in NSW, Australia.

During years of teaching and travel in East Africa in her early 20s, Gemma developed a conviction that education was the best way of fighting poverty. Later, her father-in-law gave her the land on which to build St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania.

Following Gemma’s fundraising in Australia, the school opened in 2002 and continues to provide a free, quality education to bright students from poor backgrounds.

Prof. Liliane Pasape

Director
Prof. Liliane Pasape is an Associate Professor and the Dean, School of Business Studies and Humanities at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania.

She holds a PhD in Business Administration. She has experience in academia, public, and private sectors, focusing on teaching, research and consultancy.

Mr Leonard Muhoni

Director
Mr Leonard Muhoni is a development practitioner and business development consultant with experience in project management, value chain development, fundraising and institutional strengthening. He brings expertise in strategic planning, project development, resource mobilisation, governance and community socio-economic development.

He became involved with St Jude’s through his professional and community development networks.

Bibiana Mardai

Chairperson
Bibiana has been a member of the school board since its formation and today she is Chairperson of the board. With a strong belief in the power of education, Bibiana supports St Jude’s in our work to provide the poorest students of the Arusha region with free, quality education.

Bibiana has served on a number of school boards in Arusha and nearby Moshi. Her expertise is in medical technology and she currently works for a medical technologist with Jobi Medical and Laboratory services. Previously, Bibiana worked in human laboratory diagnostics.

Mark Cubit

Director
Mark Cubit became a Director of The School of St Jude in 2010.

He manages two charitable foundations based in Australia which support over fifty projects in fifteen countries. In addition he advises on a number of investment portfolios, following 15 years with Merrill Lynch Australia.

Mark became involved with St Jude’s as a donor in 2005 and upon becoming more familiar with the school’s work, sought a greater involvement.

Rachael Hewes

Director
Rachael is St Jude’s current Donor and Sponsor Relations Manager. She has worked at St Jude’s since 2012 when she joined the school as a photographer. Rachael was raised in Sydney and Singapore, before attending the Australian National University. She joined the board in 2021.

Rachael is a mother to one daughter.

Mary Maeda

Director
Mary has known about The School of St Jude since its foundation through her work at the bank used by the school. Following a 40 year career in banking, Mary retired and joined the board, motivated by her love of children and passion for development.

Mary is an Arusha local, a widow and a mother of 12.

Dr Richard Masika

Director
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Fr Festus Mangwangi

Director
Father Festus is a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha and a committed Director of The School of St Jude. He enjoys being a board member as it allows him to learn from others and gives him the opportunity to help the fight against poverty through education.

Gemma Sisia

Director
Gemma is the Founder and driving force behind St Jude’s. She and her husband, Richard Sisia, are the loving parents of four children; Nathaniel, Jackob, Isabella and Louisa. Gemma is the only daughter among the eight children of Sue and Basil Rice and was raised on a sheep station in NSW, Australia.

During years of teaching and travel in East Africa in her early 20s, Gemma developed a conviction that education was the best way of fighting poverty. Later, her father-in-law gave her the land on which to build St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania.

Following Gemma’s fundraising in Australia, the school opened in 2002 and continues to provide a free, quality education to bright, poor students.

Our school governance bodies

The School of St Jude comprises three separately registered schools. In accordance with Tanzanian requirements, each has its own governance body comprising representatives from St Jude's leadership, parents, the local community and The School of St Jude iNGO Board.

Each school governance body comprises senior St Jude’s staff, parents, local community representatives and members of The School of St Jude iNGO Board. Together, they advise school management on Tanzanian Education Policy and statutory matters relating to student enrolment and expulsion.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.
St Jude's Primary School Committee
Sisia Campus, Moshono
Provides governance and advice for St Jude's Primary School.
St Jude's Girls' Secondary School Board
Sisia Campus, Moshono
Provides governance and advice for St Jude's Girls' Secondary School.
St Jude's Secondary School Board
Smith Campus, Usa River
Provides governance and advice for St Jude's Secondary School.

Our international partners

The School of St Jude works closely with independent organisations in Australia and the United States. Each is governed by its own Board of Directors and operates according to the laws and regulatory requirements of its country.

Together with St Jude's in Tanzania, they share a commitment to responsible stewardship of donated funds, sound governance and the long-term sustainability of the school.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.

The School of St Jude Australia Limited

The School of St Jude Australia Limited is St Jude's Australian fundraising partner. It is a registered Australian public company limited by guarantee.
Its Board oversees the organisation's activities in Australia, including governance, financial stewardship, regulatory compliance and support for St Jude's work in Tanzania.
The organisation also monitors and evaluates the application of funds donated to The School of St Jude in Tanzania.
Meet the Australian Board

American Friends of The School of St Jude

American Friends of The School of St Jude Tanzania, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States.
Its Board oversees the organisation's governance, fundraising, financial stewardship and compliance with US requirements.
It also monitors and evaluates the application of funds donated to The School of St Jude in Tanzania.
Meet the US Board

Community participation in governance

Good governance at St Jude's also means ensuring students, parents and guardians have a voice in school life.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.

Student Government

Students democratically elect representatives who provide a structured student voice across St Jude's. Student leaders work with staff on wellbeing, discipline, activities and issues affecting their peers, while developing leadership and responsibility.

St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.

Parents and guardians

Parents and guardians play an important role in our school community and governance. Parent representatives sit on St Jude's school governance bodies, while our wider network of Parent Leaders and Parent Representatives provides an important connection between families, communities and the school.
St Jude’s is governed by an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) Board of Directors who use their expertise from a wide range of backgrounds to benefit St Jude’s. It is their role to ensure that the school’s mission and policies are maintained. They support the Management team and ensure that strategic goals are being achieved within specific time-frames. The School of St Jude is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital.

Two seats on The INGO Board of Directors are designated for members from our Australian fundraising partner, The School of St Jude Ltd. Read the Memorandum of Understanding between the two boards.
The Tanzanian Board of Directors

Dr Richard Masika

Chairperson
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Mark Cubit

Director
Mark Cubit became a Director of The School of St Jude in 2010.

He manages two charitable foundations based in Australia which support over fifty projects in fifteen countries. In addition he advises on a number of investment portfolios, following 15 years with Merrill Lynch Australia.

Mark became involved with St Jude’s as a donor in 2005 and upon becoming more familiar with the school’s work, sought a greater involvement.

Rachael Hewes

Director
Rachael is St Jude’s current Fundraising and Strategic Development Senior Manager. She has worked at St Jude’s since 2012 when she joined the school as a photographer. Rachael was raised in Sydney and Singapore, before attending the Australian National University. She joined the board in 2021.

Rachael is a mother to one daughter.

Mary Maeda

Director
Mary has known about The School of St Jude since its foundation through her work at the bank used by the school. Following a 40 year career in banking, Mary retired and joined the board, motivated by her love of children and passion for development.

Mary is an Arusha local, a widow and a mother of 12.

Dr Richard Masika

Director
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Fr Festus Mangwangi

Director
Father Festus is a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha and a committed Director of The School of St Jude. He enjoys being a board member as it allows him to learn from others and gives him the opportunity to help the fight against poverty through education.

Gemma Sisia

Director
Gemma is the Founder and driving force behind St Jude’s. She and her husband, Richard Sisia, are the loving parents of four children; Nathaniel, Jacob, Isabella and Louisa. Gemma is the only daughter among the eight children of Sue and Basil Rice and was raised on a sheep station in NSW, Australia.

During years of teaching and travel in East Africa in her early 20s, Gemma developed a conviction that education was the best way of fighting poverty. Later, her father-in-law gave her the land on which to build St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania.

Following Gemma’s fundraising in Australia, the school opened in 2002 and continues to provide a free, quality education to bright students from poor backgrounds.

Prof. Liliane Pasape

Director
Prof. Liliane Pasape is an Associate Professor and the Dean, School of Business Studies and Humanities at the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) in Arusha, Tanzania.

She holds a PhD in Business Administration. She has experience in academia, public, and private sectors, focusing on teaching, research and consultancy.

Mr Leonard Muhoni

Director
Mr Leonard Muhoni is a development practitioner and business development consultant with experience in project management, value chain development, fundraising and institutional strengthening. He brings expertise in strategic planning, project development, resource mobilisation, governance and community socio-economic development.

He became involved with St Jude’s through his professional and community development networks.

Bibiana Mardai

Chairperson
Bibiana has been a member of the school board since its formation and today she is Chairperson of the board. With a strong belief in the power of education, Bibiana supports St Jude’s in our work to provide the poorest students of the Arusha region with free, quality education.

Bibiana has served on a number of school boards in Arusha and nearby Moshi. Her expertise is in medical technology and she currently works for a medical technologist with Jobi Medical and Laboratory services. Previously, Bibiana worked in human laboratory diagnostics.

Mark Cubit

Director
Mark Cubit became a Director of The School of St Jude in 2010.

He manages two charitable foundations based in Australia which support over fifty projects in fifteen countries. In addition he advises on a number of investment portfolios, following 15 years with Merrill Lynch Australia.

Mark became involved with St Jude’s as a donor in 2005 and upon becoming more familiar with the school’s work, sought a greater involvement.

Rachael Hewes

Director
Rachael is St Jude’s current Donor and Sponsor Relations Manager. She has worked at St Jude’s since 2012 when she joined the school as a photographer. Rachael was raised in Sydney and Singapore, before attending the Australian National University. She joined the board in 2021.

Rachael is a mother to one daughter.

Mary Maeda

Director
Mary has known about The School of St Jude since its foundation through her work at the bank used by the school. Following a 40 year career in banking, Mary retired and joined the board, motivated by her love of children and passion for development.

Mary is an Arusha local, a widow and a mother of 12.

Dr Richard Masika

Director
Dr Richard holds a PhD in Structural Engineering. His career has spanned the private and public sectors. Most recently, Dr Masika worked at Arusha Technical College, where he helped girls from underprivileged background pursue careers in engineering. He is pleased to serve as a Director of St Jude’s as he sees education, particularly STEM, as a game changer. Dr Masika is married and a father of five.

Fr Festus Mangwangi

Director
Father Festus is a priest with the Catholic Archdiocese of Arusha and a committed Director of The School of St Jude. He enjoys being a board member as it allows him to learn from others and gives him the opportunity to help the fight against poverty through education.

Gemma Sisia

Director
Gemma is the Founder and driving force behind St Jude’s. She and her husband, Richard Sisia, are the loving parents of four children; Nathaniel, Jackob, Isabella and Louisa. Gemma is the only daughter among the eight children of Sue and Basil Rice and was raised on a sheep station in NSW, Australia.

During years of teaching and travel in East Africa in her early 20s, Gemma developed a conviction that education was the best way of fighting poverty. Later, her father-in-law gave her the land on which to build St Jude’s in Arusha, Tanzania.

Following Gemma’s fundraising in Australia, the school opened in 2002 and continues to provide a free, quality education to bright, poor students.