The School That Hope Built

By Madeleine Kelly

Published by Allen.and Unwin

ISBN 9781760878320

From humble beginnings with a dream to help people in East Africa escape abject poverty through education, that began with an initial donation of just $10. This story began with an extraordinary Australian, Gemma Sisia.

The School that Hope Built is beautifully written by Madeleine Kelly who worked with Gemma Sisia and several colleagues and students at The School of St Jude, through some of the most extraordinary times

Coming from Armidale, New South Wales and the only girl in a family with seven brothers, Gemma was always keen to have a go. Her parents encouraged her in her pursuits including riding a horse as a toddler, later show jumping and furthering her education. She was studious with her heart initially set on becoming a doctor. She chose a different path studying biochemistry, genetics, and education and was a teacher at New England Grammar School (NEGS). When she was just 22 she moved to teach at a school in Uganda.

While teaching maths, science and sewing to girls in a small rural village in Uganda, Gemma Sisia - neé Rice saw how children, families and communities were crippled by a lack of education. While having a few days holiday, Gemma and a friend decided to go on a safari in Tanzania. That safari became life changing for her and for thousands of people in Tanzania.

The School of St Jude began with humble beginnings on a plot of land given to her by her Tanzanian father-in-law to help start the project. From what was once a field of maize and through a desire to help improve the lives of families and communities the school was built with initially only three students and a volunteer teacher. From there it grew rapidly including building more classrooms, volunteers from Australia joined, fundraising tours were undertaken, talks given with organisations and schools in Australia.

Now, twenty years on the school is thriving and has taught more than 85,000 government school students since 2015. It employs over 300 local staff making positive impacts on their local communities. All students must qualify to become a St Jude's scholar as they educate the brightest and poorest, free, including free uniforms, meals and extra curricular activities and there are free boys and girls boarding schools. It has developed into more than a free school with an active alumni cohort.

There are several heartwarming stories of how children who, without The School of St Judes would probably not have had the opportunities to become doctors, civil engineers and other professionals. 97% of their students go on to higher education.

Far from being all plain sailing there have been many trials and extraordinary circumstances, some lasting for years for Gemma and her dedicated team to overcome. This is a story that is well worth reading and discovering the difference that one person can make.

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