There are few stories as compelling as Angela Bailey鈥檚. Since day one, she has been involved with every significant 鈥榝irst鈥� for St Jude鈥檚.
As an intrepid 19-year-old, Angela worked seven-day weeks so she could afford to come to Tanzania as St Jude鈥檚 very first volunteer teacher.
She was there to walk our first three students into class, on St Jude鈥檚 opening day 鈥� January 29, 2002.
She was one of the first Board Directors for the East African Fund.
Angela witnessed some of her first students graduate from secondary school during the inaugural Form 6 Graduation Ceremony in 2015.
She returned to St Jude鈥檚 that year to launch the groundbreaking Beyond St Jude鈥檚 program, mentoring graduates undertaking a Community Service Year and pursuing higher education.
Now, Angela is embarking on another first.
In May 2018, St Jude鈥檚 Founder, Gemma Sisia, announced Angela Bailey as Deputy Director of mini传媒.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 be more thrilled to take on this challenge and support Gemma as her deputy,鈥� Angela revealed.
鈥淭he School has seven managers overseeing everything from academics and maintenance, to finance, human resources and fundraising. Previously, all managers have reported to Gemma. Because I have taken on this role, Gemma will have more time now to focus more specifically on the top-scale, highest priority needs of the School.鈥�
Angela鈥檚 journey with mini传媒 takes its roots almost 20 years ago in an auditorium at St Vincent鈥檚 College Potts Point 鈥� Gemma鈥檚 former high school.
鈥淲e had a series of talks from inspirational female speakers to my Year 12 class. Gemma was one of them. She told us about how she was funding the education of a number of students in East Africa and that she was taking a tour group to visit some projects there over the summer. I decided, instead of going to school leavers鈥� parties or on a family holiday, that I鈥檇 go with her to Africa,鈥� Angela shared.
鈥淚 remember during our visit to Moshono Village, where Sisia Primary Campus is located, standing next to Gemma and looking out over a maize field. She said to me, 鈥楢nge, I鈥檓 going to build a school here.鈥欌��
It took no further persuasion for Angela to choose her next steps. She decided to return to Tanzania and help Gemma build her dream.
Angela鈥檚 impact on the School has evolved significantly during the 16 years that have since passed.
Although she left Tanzania in 2005 to pursue further education in Australia, Angela never found work as meaningful or sustaining as her work at St Jude鈥檚.
鈥淚 loved being at St Jude鈥檚 so much in the early days, knowing all the students and their families personally, that I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 return to work here again after it grew into such a huge organisation. Then, my heart was taken by Gemma鈥檚 idea for the Beyond St Jude鈥檚 program, and it was something I was determined to be a part of,鈥� Angela said.
鈥淏eyond St Jude鈥檚 ensures the sustainability of St Jude鈥檚 school values. Our graduates share these values with students they teach during their Community Service Year internships in local government schools. There is no program like this in Tanzania.鈥�
As Deputy Director, Angela will oversee Beyond St Jude鈥檚 and Academic management teams, improving and implementing strategies that will secure the School鈥檚 sustainability for years to come.
Angela鈥檚 dream for the School and Beyond St Jude鈥檚 is simple, yet profound.
鈥淚 want all our students and graduates to have a well-rounded education that gives them the skills to be leaders in their communities, and to go on and lead happy, successful lives, void of the daily struggle to provide food for their families or a roof over their heads.鈥�
Do you share Angela鈥檚 dream? Make a difference today by donating or sponsoring a scholarship for one of our students or graduates.
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