Interview with Gemma Sisia, School of St Jude founder

Our copywriter Erin had a chat with the founder of The School of St Jude in Tanzania, Gemma Sisia. They talked about travelling, living in Africa and the very special school Gemma started in 2002.

Let's get to know you a little bit. Who are you? Where are you from? What's your favourite animal?
I’m Gemma and I am originally from Armidale, NSW, Australia but now I live with my family in Arusha, Tanzania. And my favourite animal would have to be a zebra.

Tell us about the first time you stepped off a plane in Africa
My first experience of Africa happened on the plane trip from Nairobi to Uganda. There was this absolutely beautiful, big African lady sitting over the aisle from me in the full Mama Africa outfit - colour everywhere, big headdress, the works. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. It got to the point where I pretended to get my bag from the overhead locker just so I could keep looking at her! I will never forget her.

You first visited Africa as a solo female traveller. What is the best piece of advice you can give to solo travellers visiting Africa for the first time?
When I first came to Africa we didn’t have mobile phones, now it is different. My  number one thing to have with you is a fully charged mobile phone, even a spare battery. Make sure you can use it from the moment you arrive here.

What makes travel and living in Africa so rewarding for you?
I have a real sense of responsibility when it comes to my living in Africa. I have a family and a school that I have created here. The rewards of living in Africa, outside of my  family, are pretty much about St Jude’s and they have changed over the last ten years. Now it is about seeing the local Tanzanian staff stepping up into  leadership roles. I can remember when we would have to keep pushing them to speak up and now they just  take their place at the table and get involved at every level.

The success of The School of  St Jude is all about the contribution of every member of every team working  together: the academics, cleaners, cooks, gardeners, admin staff, bus drivers and  maintenance and support staff.

Okay let’s get onto St Jude’s. What is your first memory of when St Jude’s began in 2002?
Going to bed absolutely exhausted at 5pm in the afternoon and we only had three kids at the time! I just didn’t know how I could keep it up day after day, there was just so much to do every single day just to keep the school doors open, and I had no real idea about what I was doing, I just had a dream to make a better future for these kids that I would see every day.

What does the future hold for St Jude’s after ten years of growth?
I still have the dream that all our students will come out the other end of their St Jude’s schooling as employable as possible, in whatever area they choose. To do that  we have to keep pushing the standards and staying current.

My personal aspirations for the graduating students of St Jude’s is that they become hard working, honest and respected members of their community who are able to  assist their families in breaking the cycle of poverty.

What has been your biggest struggle getting a school up and running in Tanzania?
The biggest physical obstacles in the beginning were associated with the actual building  of the school. Having to deal with all types of people; tradesmen, government officials, neighbours and finding sufficient money day-to-day just to keep going was exhausting. In the beginning it was difficult to gain acceptance amongst the local community but  once children started at the school, learning English and parents were included in the  decisions being made the school took off.

In later years it was hard work trying to find the right staff to manage everything that needed to be managed, I knew I just couldn’t keep doing it all, especially with a family. Not a problem now though as our local staff are just brilliant at getting the job done.

What does a typical Gecko’s group visiting St Jude’s get to see and do?
Their itinerary can vary depending on the day they come. They generally come on either a Monday or Friday.

So, on Fridays they arrive in the morning and have a tour of Lower and Upper Primary School and Moivaro Boarding Campus, stay for lunch with Upper Primary students and staff and attend Upper Primary Assembly. And on Mondays they arrive in the morning and have a tour of Lower and Upper Primary School (and Moivaro Boarding Campus, if time permits). 

Both days they have the opportunity to take photos of the school and interact with the students as they play at break time.

What does the relationship with Gecko’s Adventures mean to St Jude’s?
Visitors are the major stakeholders in the St Jude’s family. Seeing is believing and every visitor who comes to the school becomes a powerful on-seller of the St Jude’s story. And Gecko’s Adventures have allowed hundreds and hundreds of visitors to come to St Jude’s. Wow, what a huge effort and contribution! It is a brilliant association that is making a very real difference for our students and staff.

What's the funniest thing one of the students at St Jude’s has ever told you or asked you?
One of the more unusual student responses that comes to mind was during a recent house-check for a potential new student. The younger sister of the prospective St Jude’s student wanted to be right in the thick of what was going on and kept trying to answer all the questions given to her sister. One question was ‘What is your favourite colour?’ The little sister said very quickly ‘The colour of my father’s rat poison!’

Gemma will be visiting Australia in March next year to spread the St Jude’s story far and wide, if you would like to meet Gemma and hear more about St Jude’s check out the school website.

To find out which of our tours in Africa  visit The School of St Jude check out our trips in Tanzania.

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