The Unite Club Program has emerged as an exciting area of growth and expansion for Unite. We first launched the club program in September 2020 in secondary schools across Tanzania to cover critical gaps in the education of young people. Our goal is to equip students with the information, skills, experiences, and exposure necessary to help them succeed both in and beyond the classroom and become active and engaged global citizens, agents for positive change. To this end, we teach students how to know themselves, hone their creative problem-solving abilities, and present the very best version of themselves to the world. We now operate seven Unite Clubs in Tanzania, three in northern Uganda, two in Nigeria, and one in Malawi. We are building a thriving pan-African network of some of the best and brightest young minds and our goal is to connect them — both online and in person through Unite Youth Summits — so that they can make strategic connections and pioneer mutually-beneficial collaborations among themselves.
A Unite Club blackboard in Uganda.
“Participation in the Unite Club Program has greatly improved our students’ self esteem, confidence, discipline, and preparedness for their futures.”
—The Honorable Nancy Acora, Member of Parliament, Uganda
Elements of the Unite Club Program include:
The Unite Curriculum, which currently features 22 modules covering such essential topics as the “soft skills” of professionalism (personal branding and emotional intelligence, leadership, time management, networking, social media, communication & listening skills, feedback vs. criticism), coping with stress and anxiety, environmental stewardship, constructive conflict resolution, financial literacy, sexual harassment, and more.
The Unite Passion Project, an online database of more than 120 videos featuring professionals from around the world sharing how they discovered and pursued their passions — opening minds and hearts to a myriad of life-path options.
The Unite Hummingbird Campaign, which focuses on tree planting, establishing organic school gardens, and educating students and communities about the pressing need for environmental conservation, reforestation campaigns, organic farming practices, and proper waste management.
Additionally, our clubs work to foster creativity, personal expression, and social responsibility through public speaking events, talent shows, art exhibits, and community outreach.
Malawi: In partnership with Bishop Michael Fatsani Katengeza, we have launched a club at the Joshua Youth Ministry in an urban slum in the capital city of Lilongwe. (Club leaders and 54 members are pictured above.)
“The Unite Club is an answered prayer for us. It is filling a great void and helping to shape a new generation for africa.”
—Bishop Michael Fatsani Katengeza, Malawi
Uganda: Unite has been working closely with Nancy Ocora, a member of the Ugandan parliament, since 2022 to launch and grow our club program across northern Uganda. We now have clubs in the Padibe, Palabek, Palonga, and Lokung secondary schools. Pictured above are some of the 91 students in the Padibe Unite Club. Top performing club members have received school debt relief, and the club is now preparing a wide scale tree planting campaign to green the school environment.
“The Unite Club provides a safe space in which students can interact, get to know themselves and one another, and build self confidence and develop discipline.”
— Unite Club Coordinator Achiro Maria, Uganda
Uganda: With 173 active members, the Unite Club at Palebek Secondary School has the most students of any club in the school’s history. (Club leaders pictured above.) The club meets weekly and recently secured 100 tree seedlings to plant during the coming rains.
Nigeria: Unite has supported the launch of Unite clubs at the Asa Pada and Guru Secondary Schools in partnership with teacher Arinze Egwecho. With 121 active members the clubs are thriving and more are now in the queue.
“The Unite Club teaches leadership, teamwork, effective communication and problem solving, project management, and so much more. I can see our club students thrive as they explore their interests, creativity, and talents.”
—Unite Club Coordinator Arinze Egwecho, Nigeria
Tanzania: The Unite Club at the Queen of Peace Secondary School in Nzega, Tabora, is led by School Manager Sister Maria Mkenda and has 196 active members.
“The Unite Club instills a sense of social responsibility, empathy, and the deep importance of unity.”
— Sister Maria Fabiola Mkenda, Tanzania
Tanzania: At the Cambridge Institute of Tourism Management, the Unite Club is led Baraka Obimbo Nyatega and focuses on empowering students with the personal presentation and customer service skills necessary to succeed in the world of international tourism.
“The Unite Club is so important because it provides a curriculum that is not otherwise available. Through the program, our students discover their self worth and learn to be optimistic, self reliant, and good stewards of time.”
— Unite Club Coordinator Baraka Nyatega, Tanzania
Tanzania: The Unite Club at Tabora Boys Secondary School has 200 active members led by faculty leader Mr. Dedan Runoba. Due to the club’s exceptional performance over the years, they have been awarded funds for educational field trips, community service campaigns, workshops on waste management, and more recently materials to build and plant flower beds and organic gardens to beautify the school campus and provide nourishing food to the student body.
“The Unite Club is greatly enhancing our students personal and professional capabilities, preparing them for future challenges and teaching them how to be outstanding people in the workplace.”
—Unite Club Patron Teacher Dedan Runoba, Tabora Boys School, Tanzania
From Unite, clubs that perform in excellence and demonstrate passion and a sustained commitment can receive a laptop, projector, smartphone, printer, and modem along with notebooks, pens, Unite T-shirts, and all necessary supplies for each club participant. We also provide tree seedlings — the size and species are dependent on the local environment and access to water — as well as funds for art supplies, outreach work and community service, financial incentives to reward excellent performance, and more. (Determined on a case-by-case basis.)
Each club is assigned at least one faculty leader and number of student club leaders (president, VP, secretary, treasurer, etc.) to help manage and direct the clubs. Our Unite team leaders are in regular contact with club leaders via phone and email/text and conduct on-sight visits as needed to facilitate the clubs’ growth and development and maximize impact.
Tanzania: The Unite Club at Mzumbe Boys Secondary School has 120 active members who meet weekly. In 2023 they planted more than 400 trees (photo above) and will install a school organic garden this year. Mzumbe club loves to perform as members showcase a range of exceptional talents, from singing and dancing to painting and public speaking.
Uganda: Form 6 Unite Club graduates at Padibe Secondary School receive “completion in excellence” Unite Club certificates.
Same, Tanzania: Unite Founder & Director Anne Wells and team visited the Same Boys Secondary School Unite Club in October 2023, and delivered the gift of an outdoor classroom to the school. Same’s Unite Club has 100 active members who engage in extensive community outreach including volunteering at local hospitals and orphans centers.
Tanzania: Unite Founder & Director Anne Wells with Unite Program Director Anty Marche and the leadership team at Same Boys School.
Note: Plans to launch clubs in two partner schools in Rwanda have been paused. Printed curriculum books have been delivered to empower them with the lesson plans, and we will revisit plans to futher engage in the future.