Our goal here at Unite is to empower youth across Tanzania with quality education and the skills necessary for them to achieve independence and professional success post graduation. To this end, we are launching Unite Student Clubs in six government secondary schools to reach more than 1,000 students by the year end.
Specific Unite club activities include studying the Unite Curriculum, which includes modules about such essential “soft skills” of professionalism as personal branding and self awareness, verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, leadership, time management, networking, social media, feedback vs. criticism, and more.
Students also spend time each week watching one to three Unite Passion Videos and discussing in break-out small groups what they have learned and how they have been inspired. The mission of our Unite Passion Project is expose the Unite Scholars and Unite Club members to a wide array of career options, activities, and perspectives by sharing the stories of people around the world—who come with a wide range of talents and backgrounds—who have found their passions and translated those passions into successful careers.
Unite provides each school club with a laptop, projector, screen, smart phone, printer, speakers, and modem along with notebooks, pens, Unite pins, and all necessary supplies for each club participant. We also provide tree seedlings — the size and species depends on the local environment and access to water — to reforest areas in need and help combat desertification. Additionally, we supply everything necessary to build and maintain school gardens (fencing, seeds, training, etc.) to help ensure the students and faculty have access to nutritious food while on campus.
Unite’s Environmental Scientist Clara Ngowi working with the girls at Mtwara Technical to plant trees around the school.
Each Unite Club is assigned a faculty leader who receives a small stipend to cover phone air-time and student club leaders, many of whom are Unite Scholars, who help manage and direct the clubs. Click HERE to hear Isaac, one of our Unite Scholars, speak about his work as a Unite Club team leader at Same Boys School. Click to see club members Ngemi, Sasani, and Bakari speak about their experiences with Unite.
(Left) Unite Scholar Neema showcases her fashion designs as a runway model at the Mtwara Girls Unite Club launch. (Right) Students from Same Boys display their soil-enriching invention.
At the Unite Club launch events, which will continue through mid-October across the country, scholars celebrate with our Unite team leaders by putting on unique performances (songs, dances, skits) and by sharing their many passions and talents. While our team of Unite Mentors are based in Dar es Salaam, they visit partner schools for launch events, remain in regular contact with Unite Club faculty leaders via phone and email/text, and conduct on-site visits as needed to facilitate the clubs’ growth and development and maximize impact. Click HERE to see Unite Club students at Mtwara Technical School dance during their recent celebration.
Unite Scholar Michael (center with glasses) with his Dream Chaser team at a Unite Club meeting at Same Boys School, September 2020.
Click HERE to see an e-flip book images from recent Unite Club launches at schools across Tanzania.