For decades International Women’s Day (IWD) has been bringing awareness to equality and empowering women from all walks of life to achieve their hopes and dreams in business and community.
Australian humanitarian Gemma Sisia (nee Rice), who established the School of St Jude in Tanzania in 2002, is one of the many women making a difference to underprivileged people on the world stage.
She will be special guest at the IWD luncheon to be hosted by Salamander Bay Rotary Club at Soldiers Point Bowling Club on Wednesday, March 6, from 11.30am.
Rotary president Ina George said that the club was proud and honoured to have Gemma to provide her inspirational story on a day celebrating the strength, courage and resilience of women everywhere.
“We are indeed fortunate to have Gemma as our guest speaker to provide an insight into how she started fundraising to invest in the education of Africa’s poorest and the support she received from friends, family and Rotary groups,” Ms George said.
“We in Port Stephens are also fortunate to have women in prominent leadership roles in business and community who are passionate about making a difference.”
Some of those women include Leah Anderson, president of the Tomaree Business Chamber who was founding member and first president of the Port Stephens Women In Business.
Emily Perry now heads the Women In Business organisation, and Kathy Rimmer, the Port Stephens Business Person of the Year, is into her second year as president of the Nelson Bay Rotary Club.
Ms Anderson said that organisation and prioritisation were key elements in most women’s lives, many who have to juggle family life with career.
“Most of the successful women I know have very busy lives but they mange them through planning and making time for family, socialising and charity work,” said Ms Anderson.
Ms Perry, who juggles two businesses and family with two young children, said she was grateful for the support of Women In Business.
“The group has taught me many things and the motto of ‘Connect, Inspire, Support’ sums it up. We have a fantastic mentoring program, we are active in support of each other and also in support of charitable organisations.”
Ms Rimmer said that work/life balance became most essential to her after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2013. “I learned the art of saying no and the importance of doing what you love, and love what you’re doing.”
Charlie Elias, The Port Stephen Examiner (read original article here).
After 14 years at St Jude’s, Vedasdo-Venance is aiming to change the lives of thousands of Tanzanians through his first entrepreneurial venture - turning banana skins and farm waste into charcoal!
His new product will help fuel struggling villages, giving families a cheaper and more sustainable alternative for their cooking.
“Thanks to what I have learnt from St Jude’s I want to bring change upon my country. I understand what it is like to have a hard life. I’ve already made some samples and some people in the community have already accepted the product,” Vedasdo-Venance said proudly.
The Form 6 student shared his experience with other Tanzanian students at Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards Day. The RYLA event introduced students from all walks of life to the Rotary concepts of community service, leadership skills and goal setting.
82 students, from 15 different schools across Northern Tanzania attended the day, which was modelled on a formula Rotary clubs use around the world.
“The opportunity to meet with other young leaders who are focusing on projects around water, energy and hospitals means a lot to me,” Vedasdo-Venance reflected.
Vedasdo –Venance also helped train younger students in public speaking as part of the RYLA program.
“I want everyone to have these skills, lots have the fear factor, but if you can remove that you can just go out and do it.”
Thanks to the support of the Rotary Club of Brisbane High-Rise, St Jude’s leaders also participated in the first Interact Bootcamp, with four in-depth workshops relating to different industries.
Students were separated into different ‘occupations’ such as, Technology where they studied robotics, coding and IT services, Communication where students used the Rotary style guide to create a website from scratch, a Creative group who designed the Rotary symbol out of recycled bottles and Entrepreneurship, where participants planned and learnt production skills for a small soap-making business.
For Form 3 student, Grace, it was a chance to develop tactics she can use in her future.
“The leadership skills I have learnt today will help in my life, as I want to be Lawyer, or otherwise a Politician. I want to be a Lawyer as I was impressed by my Aunt who went to law school in Arusha, but her dreams unfortunately failed. I see what is happening around the world, and here in Tanzania, and I want to help those in need,” Grace shared.
Grace explains it’s that desire to give back, and to ensure others live in a better world than those around her have experienced, that draws students to Rotary events.
“The life I had before was hard, at the place where we lived it was hard even to get water for drinking, so I really want to make a difference in our community.”
That dreaming and self-growth is exactly what St Jude’s Community Relations Officer & Rotary Specialist, Laura Bird, hoped students took away from the day she organised.
“I hope the event gave the students a bit more of an idea of what they can aim for, specifically the goal-setting workshop. We want them to know they can achieve, if they are willing to work hard,” Laura explained.
Rotary statistics show numbers of students attending club events in Tanzania are at a record high, and Laura believes St Jude’s is leading the way with creating future Rotarians.
“We are trying to develop the future leaders of Tanzania at St Jude’s, so being able to have students have access to more leadership training and opportunities for students to show their leadership potential is important to the goal of the school,” she said.
St Jude’s staff and students will also be involved with the development of other Rotary clubs in Arusha over the next two years, giving students like Vedasdo-Venance and Grace more opportunities so they can continue to dream big.
“Arusha is starting to become the second hot spot for Rotary in Tanzania, since the youth element have been more active. The exposure of Rotary in Arusha is growing. We even hope to build a club that includes young professionals,” Laura shared.
Share our RYLA success with your Rotary club and help us to spread the word!
Taste testing Australian icon 'Vegemite' by the spoonful, before embarking on a trip of a lifetime to its country of origin, is a cultural exchange St Jude’s graduate Godwin never thought he’d experience. “It tastes bitter and weird,” Godwin said, laughing, with a mouthful of Vegemite.
“But seriously I am feeling very excited because I’ve never been to Australia, or even out of Tanzania before, and of course I once dreamed of going but I knew I had no means to go there.” he continued.
During Godwin’s childhood he lived in a one-room mud house, his single mother struggling to make ends meet to pay for food, clothes and the fees to keep Godwin in school, but she knew education was the only weapon to escape the poverty they were faced with.
More than a decade on, with the guidance of the St Jude’s community, and incredible resilience, Godwin has not only topped classes at St Jude’s, and been a volunteer teacher at an under-resourced local government school, he has also successfully earned a full scholarship to study a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering in New York.
But first - following an invitation from St Jude’s Founder, Gemma Sisa - to a whirlwind speaking tour to Australia, and boy is he ready to go!
“The importance of sharing my story is to let the people who are supporting The School St Jude know that their support is really worth it and it’s giving young people an opportunity,” Godwin said.
He's very much hoping the crowds, expected to reach 700 at some events, will take away this message from their time with the St Jude’s team.
“This education is more than education, because it opens new doors in our lives. You ignite the flame and that fire will start bigger fires and one day it’s going to be one huge fire. Whatever you can do for a person that is less privileged is really worthy, as that person will eventually be able to do something great to help their community.”
And he's a shining example of just that! In addition to his work in Australia, Godwin plans to learn from the lifestyle.
“Apart from doing speeches I’ll be interested in swimming at some beaches, as it will be my first time to swim. I heard about the saying ‘G’day mate’ when I met with Australians visiting the school but my accent isn’t so good. I understand the people there are very generous, they are ready to support each other and us,” Godwin said with a big smile.
Alongside Godwin on his first trip aboard, and assisting him with digesting Vegemite, is Alumni Coordinator, Maddie Kelly. Herself returning home to Australia to assist with the tour, after almost two years living and working at the school in Arusha.
“I think Godwin is going to be an exceptional representative of St Jude’s and all our students. He’s already overcome so many challenges in his life and he understands the importance of what supporters do for St Jude’s,” Maddie shared.
“Godwin goes as a representative of one of eighteen hundred and he doesn’t take that responsibility lightly. There are more than a thousand like him that are trying to make the most of every opportunity they are given.”
Together they will not only navigate the initial cultural shocks when on Aussie soil, but will share the challenges facing 12 million Tanzanians living in poverty. His aim, to inspire you to spread the word about The School of St Jude and help fight poverty through education.
“My mum is really proud, she never thought her son would come this far,” Godwin said with wide eyes.
Judica, one of St Jude’s very first students, and soon to become one of our first university graduates, proudly flew the flag for Tanzania and for The School of St Jude as she retold her story and the story of the school.
Judica stepped up on to the podium and captured the 2,500-strong audience as she stood, dressed in her traditional kitenge, and sang the national anthem of Tanzania. She proudly shared her story of how, with the help of St Jude’s, her journey has taken her from extreme poverty to university, where she is currently studying Banking and Finance at the University of Dar Es Salaam.
Judica and the school’s Supporter Development Facilitator, Leonie, travelled to Dubai to give one of the keynote speeches at an International Association of Lions Clubs Forum for the India, South Asia, Africa and Middle East (ISAAME) region in December, attended by Lions members from 64 countries across this region, as well as special European and American guests.
Judica and Leonie were also involved in an hour long presentation and Q&A with the Leos of the Middle East, being the younger members of the organisation.
Honouring the first female international president, the main theme of the event was “Advocate for the Achievement of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”.
The event saw Middle East Lions Club launch its new special project with St Jude’s, “Fighting Poverty through Education” – the school’s motto. The Lions commitment to working with St Jude’s stems from the common goal of providing women and girls with equal access to education, as per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.
“At St Jude’s, they encourage Tanzanian youth to do more than just succeed,” said Augusto di Pietro, International Representative and Coordinating Officer for the Lions Clubs Middle East. “They empower them to become leaders and we are excited to work together to see more success stories like Judica’s.”
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.
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).
