Empowering girls and women through education is a major driving force behind St Jude鈥檚 and it鈥檚 what we were passionate about on International Women鈥檚 Day which was held on March 8. The day is a global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future.
As part of International Women鈥檚 Day celebrations, Gemma was interviewed recently on Channel 10鈥檚 鈥榃ake Up鈥�. We were so excited that she had the opportunity to share the St Jude鈥檚 story with a national audience. Here are some excerpts from her interview:
鈥�Growing up with seven brothers and I think my mum bought herself a dress once every ten years as school fees were always a priority and Mum and Dad used to say education is everything. If you have got a good education, you can get yourself a good job and you鈥檙e independent and you have more power so I think that belief has gone through all of my brothers and myself. I just wanted a good private school in Tanzania which is accessible to the poor and we are not biased whether it鈥檚 girls, boys or what religion or what tribe the children are and it鈥檚 to give the kids the tools to have a good education and tools in life so they can all get good jobs after they finish school and university鈥�.鈥�
鈥�...The Chairman of our parent鈥檚 committee is a woman and looks after 1,800 parents and grandparents and aunties and uncles and the Chairman of our school Board is a woman. We have a lot of deputies and academic leaders who are women. It鈥檚 really good and it鈥檚 good for the kids to see that it doesn鈥檛 matter what tribe you are or religion you are, if you鈥檙e really passionate about your job, you will be promoted鈥� It鈥檚 exciting.鈥�
Replies