Gemma sisia autobiography example
Gemma Sisia
Australian humanitarian (born )
Gemma Sisia, AM | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 November &#;() (age&#;53) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Known&#;for | Establishing the School of St Jude |
| Children | 4 |
Gemma Sisia (born Gemma Rice;[1] born 3 November [2]) is an Australian humanitarian.
She established the School of St Jude in Tanzania in ,[3] which "provides free, high-quality education to over 1, of the poorest Tanzanian children while boarding more than 1, students."[4]
Biography
Sisia 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 , Sisia established the School of St Jude in Tanzania.[8] The school has expanded to about 1, students,[9] who "receive a free, high-quality education at the primary and secondary levels."[5] Since 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]