Visit to The School of Saint Jude
In May / June 2007 Rotarians Russell Gilbert and Geoff Camm visited The School of Saint Jude in Tanzania. Russell and Geoff have had a long time interest in the school since hearing its founder Gemma Sisia speak at a District Conference. Russell has sponsored a child at the school since 2004.
The School of Saint Jude (the patron saint of hopeless cases) is situated just outside the city of Arusha in Tanzania. Gemma Sisia, a young Australian woman, founded the school in 2002 for the orphans and very poor children of Arusha. Places at the school are given to the brightest and most ambitious children from extremely poor families who would otherwise stand no chance of achieving educational opportunity. With its motto ‘Fighting poverty through education’ the school aims to help lift at least some Africans out of the poverty cycle and hopefully produce a new generation of leadership.
While staying at the school Russell and Geoff were able to do some volunteer work; Russell spent many days using his accounting skills to set up a quickbooks program of accounts management while Geoff was able to utilize his experience as a teacher in assisting in some classrooms. They also presented the school with a collection of books about Australia.
Best of all though, Russell and Geoff were able to meet Russell’s sponsor child, Emmanuel, and visit his family and village. It was a great privilege to join Emmanuel at his local church service and to share meals with his family.
For more information about The School of Saint Jude, look them up on their website: www.schoolofstjude.co.tz
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