Gemma Sisia (born Gemma Rice;[1] born 3 November 1971[2]) is an Australian humanitarian. She established the School of St Jude in Tanzania in 2002,[3] which "provides free, high-quality education to over 1,800 of the poorest Tanzanian children while boarding more than 1,400 students."[4]
Gemma Sisia, AM | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 November 1971 (age 53) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known for | Establishing the School of St Jude |
| Children | 4 |
Biography
editSisia was raised on a wool sheep property in Armidale, Australia.[2][5] She was the only daughter of eight children.[2] Her parents were Sue and Basil Rice.[2] As a child, she competed in show jumping.[6] Gemma attended St Vincent's College, Potts Point.[3][7] Growing up, her family heavily emphasised education.[8]
Sisia studied biochemistry, genetics, and education at Melbourne University.[8] At age 22, she moved to Uganda to work in a convent school.[8] A few months later, she met Richard Sisia, a Tanzanian safari driver, in Tanzania.[8] They later married and had four children.[8]
In January 2002, Sisia established the School of St Jude in Tanzania.[8] The school has expanded to about 1,800 students,[9] who "receive a free, high-quality education at the primary and secondary levels."[5] Since 2015 the school has also established a graduate program, Beyond St Jude's, that supports Form 6 graduates through tertiary education. Prior to accessing tertiary education, Beyond St Jude's participants undertake a year of community service, usually in the form of volunteer teaching in local government schools.[10]
References
edit- ^ Australia, Pan Macmillan. "Gemma Sisia - Pan Macmillan Australia". www.panmacmillan.com.au. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Q & A with Gemma Sisia | About Us | The School of St Jude". www.schoolofstjude.org. Archived from the original on 26 August 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ a b "Gemma Sisia - The School of St Jude » St Vincent's College". www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "About St Jude's". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ a b "Gemma Sisia ICMI | ICMI Speakers Bureau". www.icmi.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "Australian Story - Interview with Gemma Sisia". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "Daily Telegraph".
- ^ a b c d e f "'We call this heaven': Gemma Sisia's Tanzanian story". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 November 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "Interview with Gemma Sisia of 'St Jude's'". Read Me. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "'Fresh graduates boost science teaching in Arusha'". 10 October 2018. Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2019.