Gemma Sisia, the young Australian founder and Director of The School of St Jude in Tanzania will visit Bathurst next week to meet the school's many supporters in the region.
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She will be speaking in the Bathurst RSL Club auditorium from 7pm on Monday March 22.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about this inspirational project. Entry will be by gold coin donation.
Bathurst has a direct connection to St Jude's through former headmaster of the Junior School at All Saints College, Jock Bidwell and his wife Sue, who are part way through a three-year term at St Jude's.
In October last year $24, 939 was raised for St Jude's by the Bathurst and district community through donations and the support of the Model Train Exhibition and Bazaar held at the home of Paul and Bonny Hennessy.
The O'Connell Public School has also raised $254 for the African school and will have the opportunity to meet the young founder who was very impressed by their hard work.
Gemma started the school in 2002 with only three students and one teacher.
Today, St Jude's educates over 1300 students from the poorest of families in Arusha and surrounding areas.
Gemma grew up in Armidale NSW and trained as a teacher.
In 2007 she was recognized for her work with St Jude's by being honoured with an Order of Australia medal.
She is currently touring the country encouraging Australians to support the school's expansion by funding 'good old fashioned bricks and mortar'.
She said that for as little as $100 fellow Aussies can sponsor a square metre of construction in East Africa.
Currently St Jude's educates children up to Form 2, the equivalent of Year 8 in Australian secondary schools.
For further information or to make a donation to the 2010 Student Appeal visit www.schoolofstjude.co.tz.
