2025 ANNUAL REPORT
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Dear Friends and Supporters of Unite,
2025 was a year of great progress and deepening impact for Unite. Our purpose — to identify, educate, nurture, mentor, guide, train, and launch young professionals and leaders into the East African and global community — guides everything we do. That work begins after a scholar completes Form 4 (the U.S. equivalent of 10th grade) and continues in countless detailed, hands-on ways until they step into independent, purposeful adulthood.
We keep our cohort of active Unite Scholars intentionally small, capping at 100 at any given time. This is so that we can truly know our scholars: their talents, needs, challenges, and aspirations. Our job is to meet them where they are; love, respect, and guide them; and walk hand-in-hand to a better, brighter future for all.
To date we have celebrated the graduations of 30 Unite Scholars -- all of whom are now gainfully employed with a few engaged in internships, agribusiness, and entrepreneurship. These extraordinary outcomes are the result of tireless teamwork, exceptionally high stan- dards, and principles of personal responsibility, honesty, and integrity. In 2025 we launched an Ethics Committee to further highlight honesty and trust as the bedrock of all relations- hips and to engage scholars in hard conversations about choices and consequences.
One moment from 2025 that I cherish came from the parents of two brothers in our pro- gram (now in Form 5 and Form 6). They asked Program Director Anty Marche what Unite had “done” to their sons. Before Unite, the boys had been a bit wayward and disengaged; since joining Unite they’ve become the hardest workers in their village — polite, respectful, and eager to help at home. They now assist with all chores and cooking, and neighbors and church members have noticed the change. This kind of transformation — where families and communities share in the pride of a young person’s growth — is exactly why we do this work.
Looking ahead as we review candidates for the next class, we remain focused on top academic promise, extreme demonstrable need, and — critically — resilient belief in one- self. That inner confidence is often the single most predictive factor of long-term success, and it’s what we aim to cultivate alongside knowledge and skills. In the year ahead we will continue refining our programming, expanding mentorship, and strengthening systems that support ethical decision-making, professional success, and sustained independence.
None of this would be possible without our scholars’ grit; our devoted staff, mentors, advisors, and volun- teers; the generosity of donors; and the tireless com- mitment and support our incredible Board of Directors. Thank you all for believing in these young people and investing in their futures. Together, we are proving that with opportunity, guidance, and high expectations, lives and communities can indeed... change for the better. Onward.
Yours in service,
Anne Wells
2024 Annual Report
2024 marks the 10-year anniversary of the foundation and our most successful year to date…
Our programs are thriving, our financials are sound, and we have the most committed, united, and effective team hard at work in Africa and here in America.
As I reflect on all that has happened to bring us to this moment—the challenges and triumphs alike—I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all those who have helped make this this journey possible. Thank you.
In our Unite Scholars Program, we have now capped enrollment to 100 scholars at a time to ensure that we can provide our signature highly personalized and comprehensive support and care to each and every teenager and young adult in our charge.
In 2024, we launched our 18th Unite Club to expand our Unite soft skills and leadership curriculums to ~2,500 young people across four African countries. The Unite Hummingbirds have planted nearly 2,000 trees as part of our continued commitment to restoring and protecting the environment, and ~2,800 vulnerable Tanzanians have received essential food relief and living support through our Unite Blessings Campaign (which is operated by our Unite Scholars). We’ve also seen the successful growth of our Warrior for Change revolving interest-free loan program, reaching more than 54 entrepreneurs with business start-up funding, support, and education.
The team at the Unite Food Program is now processing more than 100 tons a month of maize flour, rice, beans, and cassava flour (the newest product to the line) and expanding its market into Zanzibar and other parts of Dar es Salaam.
And the list of successes goes on . . .
What is Unite’s superpower? Our people and our core principles.
The commitment, passion, and diversity of our team and scholars continues to impress, amaze, motivate, and inspire. Coming from some of the most remote and underserved villages and communities, our Unite “family” includes emerging doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, and lab workers; actuaries, accountants, tax experts, and entrepreneurs; architects, marine scientists, electricians, and engineers; marketing and communications professionals, filmmakers and reporters; artists, poets, singers, dancers, designers, and more.
And as we support our Unite Scholars in becoming the very best version of themselves, we remain united in our focus on and commitment to Unite’s core principles and values, which include:
Honesty and integrity. We do what we say we will do, and we own up to our mistakes and shortcomings. Open, honest, regular communication is the foundation of our success.
Commitment to excellence. No matter how “small” the task, we strive to deliver the highest quality results through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Curiosity and exploration. We investigate, explore, and question why things are as they are. We then use our creative, innovative minds to think outside the box and envision about how things may be improved. We seek opportunities and solutions where there may appear to be none.
Service and volunteerism. Everyone has something of value to give and even the smallest acts of kindness can go a long way in uplifting lives. And as we learn, we share. Individuals, families, communities, and nations alike rise up when knowledge is shared and minds are nurtured.
Collaboration. No one succeeds alone. We embrace partnerships and strive for outcomes that benefit all.
Dignity. We speak the truth and stand up for the rights of others. Every human is deserving of respect, dignity, and a life of opportunity. The responsibility is ours.
At 10 years, we have honed our focus and are seeing its impact. We are commited and thoughtful stewards to those who have given their time, talent, and treasure to Unite—with 100% of the support we receive going directly to the programs we operate. We have much to be thankful for and more to do. The work continues.
Yours in service,
Anne Wells
