Making a Difference - The Power of One (with friends).

Here is proof positive that one person with a vision, drive, motivation, and some organisational skills (OK a LOT of drive and organisational skill!) can make a difference. Can give the developing world hope and a real shot at improving the future;

The School of St Jude, Tanzania.

"When 22 year old Australian, Gemma Rice, went to volunteer in East Africa for a few years, she witnessed first hand the results of people in the Third World caught in the tragic cycle of poverty, intensified by a lack of education....
...Following years of volunteer work in Uganda and East Africa, Gemma returned home to rural Australia to a rewarding teaching job and a comfortable lifestyle, but never forgot the poverty and suffering she left behind in the country that still had her heart...
...she easily convinced some of her friends and family members to pledge at least $5 a month...
...From this humble beginning, the East African Fund Incorporated was born and is now a registered Australian charity (No: CFN16123). With Gemma’s unceasing energy, passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the projects of the East African Fund inspiring others, she was asked to speak at various Rotary Clubs in her local area. The word spread quickly and many individuals and members of schools, institutions, businesses, Inner Wheel and Rotary Clubs throughout Australia, pledged donations and assistance. People joyously helped with the collection and transportation of computers, library books, school books, teaching aids, classroom equipment, sports equipment, sewing machines, clothes and an endless list of goods that would see Gemma’s dream of starting a school become a reality...
...Starting with only a handful of children, the school now boasts over 700 students from Kindergarten through to Grade 5 in Primary. However, with the help of the school's building team, new classrooms and infrastructure are going up daily, so as to allow the students to progress on to Grade 7 in 2008 and then into Form 1 in 2009, and eventually all the way to the end of secondary school...".

It is run along Catholic religious lines, which is not for all, but this school gives real hope where not much existed before.

Picture gallery of the school here.

Rotary are still heavily involved. They are opening a second school this month - Jan 08.

Gemma's story has appeared in a couple of papers, and on 'Australian story'.

Yes, you can sponsor/help if you wish. (They also have a blog).

Wouldn't it be great if the same formula could be used for other projects!