Here at Unite we are committed to gender equality and creating a more just and favorable future for girls and women and for impoverished, at-risk boys and men. These new Unite Scholars are extremely intelligent and talented young men who have endured unimaginable hardships and have succeeded — against all odds — by earning the highest scores in their schools and districts. As part of our program, we have a Unite for Rights intiative to teach young people about human, child, girls’ and women’s rights, and we dive deep into the issues of abuse, bullying and harassment, shame and humiliation, and injustices of all kinds. Building an equitable, just, safe, and respectful world requires the comprehensive education and active participation of both girls and boys. We believe that these young men will be leaders in the campaign to create pervasive and positive changes — of mindsets, behaviors, and ultimately of norms — within families, communities, and beyond to forge a brighter, more equitable, prosperous, and dignified future for all.
Bernard Joseph Kicheleri, 19, was born and raised in the Ifakara village in Morogoro district, Central Tanzania, by his single mother. His father has another family and never took any responsibility for Bernard’s mother. When Bernard was five years old, he began experiencing pain and swelling in his left hand. His mother took him to a hospital, and the doctors prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. His hand continued to worsen over time. When he was seven, his father stepped back in and took Bernard to a different hospital where he was diagnosed with bone cancer. Bernard had surgery, and the doctors told his parents Bernard was then cancer free. Bernard returned to live with his mother in a small, rented room in Dar Es Salaam with her new baby, Bernard’s half-brother John. To try and provide for her family, Bernard’s mother began selling snacks in the streets. Bernard worked alongside his mother day and night whenever he was not at school. As time went on the pain in Bernard’s hand and arm continued to worsen. The only care his mother could afford was pain killers. Finally, when Bernard was 14, his mother received support from a church to take Bernard to a respectable hospital. There Bernard was told that he wasn’t suffering from cancer at all, but that instead he had tuberculosis osteomyelitis. Bernard was then ordered to take TB drugs every day for one year. His pain persisted. Finally, in 2023, Bernard saw a doctor who diagnosed him, once again, with cancer. Bernard was then told his hand and arm needed to be amputated. His mother struggled to find help and ultimately received assistance from a Catholic Bishop who financed their trip to India for surgery. On March 16, 2023, Bernard’s left hand and arm was amputated. In November 2023, Bernard completed his lower-secondary-school education and was voted the Most Hardworking Student of the Year. Outside of school, Bernard volunteers to counsel young children who have cancer at the largest government hospital in Dar es Salaam, Muhimbili. He shares his story to give them hope and encouragement.
Video links: Bernard speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * The Unite team visits Bernard at his home in Dar es Salaam. * Bernard tells the story of how he lost his arm to cancer.
Bartazaro Elias, 20, is from the extremely remote Rukoma village in the Uvinza district of Kigoma, Western Tanzania. He is the second of six children born to small-scale farmers. His father is 80 years old and cannot work. His mother, 51, (Bartazaro’s father’s second wife) does all the manual labor for both families. Bartazaro’s older brother, 23, dropped from school after primary level and lives in a distant village washing cars to earn money. His younger sister is in lower-secondary in the village school; however, his next younger sister was forced to end her education after primary level as her parents could not afford the fees for books and uniforms. The youngest two brothers are both in primary school. The family’s entire income depends on the success of their meager harvest of beans, maize, and cassava. They struggle to meet their most basic needs of food and shelter. They have no electricity or access to running water. (Although Unite has now installed a solar panel for the family to have power.) Bartazaro attended local village schools for primary and lower-secondary, both of which were more than an hour walk each way. Over the years, Bartazaro frequently had to drop from school for long periods of time to help his family work their small farm. This is why he is three years older than most Form 4 graduates. During his free time, Bartazaro volunteers as a teacher at his local primary school where there are not enough teachers to meet the needs of the students. He is committed to helping other impoverished students succeed.
Video links: Bartazaro speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Bartazaro give a tour of his home. * Bartazaro tells his story and introduces his family.
Chefa Mathias, 19, is from the remote village of Sumbawanga in Southwestern Tanzania. He lives with his mother, younger brother, and grandmother. His father abandoned the family more than 10 years ago, and Chefa hasn’t seen or heard from him since. Chefa’s mother Elizabeth survives as a small-scale peasant farmer and tailor, and she barely earns enough to provide food and shelter for her family. [Unite recently purchased beds, mattresses, sheets, and mosquito nets for Chefa and his family.] Despite the family’s many challenges, Chefa performed extremely well in primary school. Due to his natural intelligence and achieved scores, Chefa was assigned to the prestigious Tabora Boys School by the Tanzanian government for lower secondary school. While at Tabora, Chefa never had enough money to own a single textbook. Instead, he borrowed from friends. To try and earn a little money to buy such basic items as soap and shoes, Chefa started a small business at school making and selling buns each morning and he never traveled home for any school holiday due to an inability to pay for bus fare. Chefa still performed in excellence, earning the top Division 1 score on his Form 4 national leaving examination, and being recognized one of the school’s most talented dancers and volleyball players. “My life has been marked by adversity, but it has also instilled in me a strong sense of determination and a burning desire to make a difference. I aspire to become a catalyst for change, empowering individuals in need and uplifting the less fortunate.”
Video links: Chefa speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Chefa gives a tour of his home environment. * Chefa introduces his family.
Deodatus Charles Werema, 20, was born in the small Kiabakari village in the Mara region of Northwestern Tanzania. He lives with his mother (who sells food on the side of the road), his ailing grandmother, and his three younger siblings (each of whom have different fathers). Deodatus has never met his father who abandoned his mother when she got pregnant with Deodatus. As a young boy, Deodatus was late to start school as his mother could not afford to buy him a uniform. Throughout primary school, Deodatus had to drop for long stretches when his mother could not afford to pay the mandatory school fees. During these periods if time spent out of school, Deodatus would work as a day laborer to earn money for his family. He would also stand outside his school selling groundnuts to his classmates to earn enough money to get himself back inside the classroom. Finally, Deodatus’ uncle stepped in to help get him through primary school. Deodatus ultimately completely primary school earning As in all of his subjects. As a result of his excellent scores, the Tanzanian government assigned him to a top government school for lower secondary. During those four years Deodatus never went home as he could not afford bus fare. Instead, over the school break, he stayed with an “auntie” nearby and worked as a laborer for her family. Deodatus graduated from lower secondary earning Division 1.7 — the top score possible — on his national leaving examinations. “To live with the poorest infrastructure, poor housing, poor water, poor electricity... It’s not worth it for a human life. My dream is to work tirelessly to raise that living standard to normal conditions so I can then help my struggling mother, my suffering grandmother, and my awaiting society.” [Unite recently installed a solar panel at Deodatus’ house so the family now has power.]
Video links: Deodatus speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Deodatus introduces his family. * Deodatus gives a tour of his home environment.
Erikon Thomas Mashauri, 18, was born and raised with two older sisters in the Kongwa District of Central Tanzania. His mother abandoned the family when Erikon was 10 after his father was diagnosed with a mental illness. This undefined illness makes Erikon’s father lose consciousness at times and at other times act violently and dangerously towards himself and those around him. Due to his condition, Erikson’s father is unable to work. To survive, the family moved in with Erikon’s father’s mother. People living around Erikson and his family do not understand mental illness so they attribute his odd behavoir to witchcraft. Due to this ignorance, Erikon and his family are ostracized. Erikon’s aunt sells clothing in the streets, and she uses her meager income to help care for Erikon. Throughout primary school, despite always having a lack of funds for necessary supplies, Erikon earned top marks and scored top of his class. As a result of his excellent performance, Erikon was chosen to attend a top government school for lower secondary. Erikon never had enough funds for uniforms, books, stationaries, or personal needs, and in four years he never traveled home due to an inability to pay the bus fare. Erikon graduate lower-secondary scoring Division 1.7 — the top score possible — on his national Form 4 leaving examinations.
Video links: Erikon speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * The Unite team visits Erikon at his home. * Erikon says thank you to Unite.
Eubullo Lucas Bushiri, 17, is from the Murusi ward of Kigoma in Western Tanzania. He is the sixth of seven children born to small-scale farmers who cultivate beans and maize to survive. His oldest brother is a lab technician and struggles to provide for the entire family as he is the only one who is employed. Eubullo attended a local village primary school where he performed extremely well against all odds. His parents often could not afford to pay the small fees required for uniforms and books. Additionally, Eubullo was frequently ill, which meant he spent much time out of the classroom. However, due to his natural intelligence, he was still able to achieve excellent scores, which is why Tanzanian government assigned him to attend a top lower-secondary school. During those four years, Eubullo struggled to meet his most basic needs met and was often supported by the school’s Unite Club and his fellow club members. Eubullo completed his lower secondary earning As in all of his subjects and Division 1.7 (the very best score possible) on his national leaving examination.
Video links: Eubullo speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Eubullo gives a tour of his home. * Eubullo introduces his parents.
Juma Awadh Abdulrahman, 18, (pictured front right) comes from the remote Masasi village in the Mtwara district of Southern Tanzania. Juma lived with his mother in the village until he was five years old at which time his father took him to live with him in the city of Dar Es Salaam. Juma has never seen or heard from his mother since. Juma’s father failed to care for him so Juma was “given” to a neighbor (unrelated and pictured above back row second left) who unofficially adopted him. This “auntie” is extremely poor (she sells bites on the street), and there are 11 people living in her house. Though she struggles greatly, this auntie does her best for Juma and her love has helped heal the deep wounds and sadness he has experienced over being abandoned by his biological parents. Juma attended a local government primary school and earned top marks. He was then selected to attend a top government school for lower secondary. Juma was late to enroll due to an inability to afford personal supplies, books, and academic materials. During his time in lower secondary, Juma was elected Class Representative, awarded Best Student in Chemistry, and scored Division 1 on his Form 4 leaving examinations.
Video links: Juma speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * The Unite team visits Juma at his home place. * Juma shows his new bedroom BEFORE and AFTER Unite’s renovation and investment.
Seiph Ibrahim Seiph, 19, is from the Kagunga village along the shores of Lake Tanganyika in Northwestern Tanzania. He is the third of eight children born to parents who fish the lake and sell their catch in the local markets. His father has three more children born to another wife. His parents also take care of three additional children born to extended family members. Seiph’s oldest sister Zainabu was accepted as a Unite Scholar in 2019. She is now still fully sponsored by Unite and enrolled in her third year of medical school at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College in Moshi, Tanzania. Zainabu is one of Unite’s top performing scholars and has consistently earned top marks and exceeded all expectations. Seiph attended a local government primary school and consistently scored among the top 10 in his class. He completed primary school ranking among the top three in the class and #1 in mathematics. Seiph was assigned to a lower-secondary government school in a neighboring village, which meant that he had to walk two-hours to school each day. It was exhausting and difficult, and sadly, Seiph witnessed many of his classmates drop from school as a result of the long journey and the poor conditions in the classroom. With their educations over, the girls had little choice but to marry and boys to work as fishermen. Seiph’s family then reached out to an aunt living in a far away town to ask if Seiph could live with her and go to the nearby government school to complete his lower-secondary education. Thankfully she agreed, and took Seiph in for the next three years. Seiph thrived and went on to score high Division 1 each and every one of his academic semesters.
Video links: Seiph speaks at the Unite Scholars event March 2024. * Seiph gives a tour of his home environment.
Bravo Henry Bayasabe, 17, was born and raised in the small rural village of Rulenge in the Kagera region, Northwestern Tanzania. The oldest of four children, Bravo’s parents divorced in 2021 and his mother, a small-scale peasant farmer who cultivates maize, has since raised the children on her own. Bravo’s father married another woman, moved away, and hasn’t been heard from since. Bravo performed extremely well throughout primary school and was selected to attend a top government school for lower secondary. Bravo never had the financial support he needed from his mother, who still greatly struggles even to feed her children, so he had to stay at school all four years since he could not pay bus fare to travel home. Bravo completed lower-secondary with As in all of his subjects and Division 1.7 — the top score possible — on his national examinations. “My mother has toiled day and night to provide for us children. Her resilience in the face of adversity taught me invaluable life lessons about perseverance, hard work, and the power of a strong spirit.”
Video links: Bravo speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Bravo shows the recent family support he received from Unite. * Bravo gives a tour of his home. * Bravo introduces his family.
Sylvester Methody Mbata, 19, is from the Kailua village of the Tabora region of Western Tanzania. He lives with his parents and two sisters, ages 23 and 16. Sylvester’s parents are small-scale farmers. The family’s entire income depends on the success of their harvest off their small plot of land, and they often go without their most basic needs and face long spells of hunger. Sylvester attended a local village primary school and performed extremely well. Due to his exemplary performance in primary school, Sylvester was assigned to attend one a top government school for lower secondary. Throughout those four years, Sylvester struggled to meet his most basic needs, but thankfully he was supported by the school’s Unite Club and his fellow club members and club faculty leader. Sylvester finished lower-secondary with As in all of his subjects and received Division 1.7, the very best score possible, on his national leaving examinations. As a result of heavy rains, Sylvester’s room where he slept was washed away. Unite has provided funds to rebuild the structure and purchase a proper bed, mattress, sheets, and a net so Sylvester will not longer sleep on the floor.
Video links: Sylvester speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Sylvester gives a tour of his family home. * The Unite team visits Sylvester’s home.
Amosi Revokatus Katani, 20, is the fourth of eight children born to peasant farmers in Kigoma region, Western Tanzania. In 2020, his father died of liver failure. After his father’s death, Amosi’s mother began selling fish in the local marketplace. His three older siblings work as street vendors in Dar es Salaam. Amosi’s mother struggles to feed her family one meal a day and to provide them adequate shelter and clothing. [Unite has installed solar panels at Amosi’s home for power and has provided beds so Amosi and his siblings no longer have to sleep on the floor.] Because of the family’s severe poverty, Amosi was delayed in starting school as he had to help work the fields. Amosi was the best student between ~3rd to 7th grade and was assigned to attend a top government school for lower secondary. During those four years, Amosi was a member of the school’s Unite Club and he graduated scoring Division 1.7 — the top score possible — on his national leaving examination.
Video links: Amosi speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Amosi tells his story. * Amosi gives a tour of the rented room in Dar Es Salaam where he stays with his brother.
Emmanuel Leonard, 19, is from the remote Uvinza village of the Kigoma district in Western Tanzania. He is the second of four children born to small-scale farmers who cultivate maize, cassava, and beans for a living. His older brother is 22 years old and works the family farm. His two younger brothers work alongside their parents as well. The family is extremely poor and often go without having their most basic needs met (food, clothing, proper shelter); however, they are committed to helping Emmanuel as best they can to get an education. [Note: Unite has installed solar panels at Emmanuel’s home for power.] When Emmanuel was eight years old, he was trying to help his mother while she was cooking and a pot of boiling water fell over his arm. The family spent every dollar they had and went into debt for his treatment. Emmanuel still bears scars from that burn today. Emmanuel completed his lower-secondary education as one of only two boys (the second being Bartazaro) of 86 in his class to score Division 1. Emmanuel dreams of “becoming a changemaker in my society and proving wrong all those who think that sending a child from a poor family to school is just a waste of resources.”
Video links: Emmanuel speaks at the Unite Scholars event in March 2024. * Emmanuel introduces his family. * Emmanuel gives a tour of his home environment.
NOTE: In preparation for their A-Levels, which begin in July, every student — boy and girl — in our new class of Unite Scholars have been awarded a grant to start a small business enterprise to earn funds during this time they are home. They have also been assigned a Unite “Big Sister/Big Brother” — connecting with our University-level scholars for friendship, guidance, mentorship, and support. Additionally, they have been assigned tutors from our extended Unite family to study such subjects as mathematics, biology, chemistry, geography, and physics so they will be prepared for the classes that lay ahead.
