In 2002 a young lady, Gemma Rice (now Gemma Sisia), from a sheep farm in Australia, opened a small school in Northern Tanzania with the help of her family, friends and local Rotary Club. What started with only a handful of children and one teacher is now a thriving school of over 1300 children and 350 staff. In January 2008 another free primary school with an initial enrollment of over 550 children opened. These schools really have the potential to influence the quality of Tanzania's future leaders.

Over 90% of the children at the school receive a totally free education as local and international sponsors individually cover the costs of not only the educational fees but also the uniform, stationery, transport, hot meal, snacks and drinks of each child. What makes this school even more special is the fact that this success comes about due to the group effort of thousands of ordinary people from all over the world coming together to do something quite extraordinary. Individuals, families, schools, church groups and service clubs are joining forces by supporting the school's various sponsorship programs.

Every day staff and students work hard to fulfil the school's philosophy of "Fighting Poverty through Education" helping our students break the cycle of poverty that has gripped their families for generations.

Visit the School of St Jude website or watch the video below to learn more

yLead House at the School of St Jude

At the beginning of 2010, yLead committed the youth of Australia to fundraise US$400,000 over three years to support the building of yLead House at The School of St Jude, a boarding home for 80 Tanzanian primary school children who are receiving an opportunity of free quality education. In the first year, we have raised a total of $115,000 to send to the school - this is a combination of fundraising by those who travel on our expeditions, as well as other contributions by young people all over the country.

Now when we travel to Africa, the School of St Jude is the first stop - participants will spend two glorious days teaching, playing and coaching the students while living in yLead House, built by the youth of Australia!