Dear Friends,
On behalf of our entire Unite family around the world, Happy Holidays! We wish you joy, peace, safety, hope, and opportunity.
Over the past few months, we have experienced extraordinary joys, learnings, adventures, and connections, and we’ve celebrated many milestones that were once dreams. However, in more recent weeks, we’ve also faced extreme and unexpected tensions and challenges.*
Thankfully, everyone is safe. Our mentors have stayed close to our scholars—listening, supporting, encouraging, and giving them what they need to cope, navigate, and keep moving forward. I am inspired daily by our team’s and scholars’ resilience: their grace under pressure, courage, ability to stay focused on studies and work, and unwavering commitment to showing up for one another.
I am also grateful for the ongoing support of our Unite community. Your belief in the importance of cultivating strong young global leaders is what enables us to continue to offer stability, education, and opportunity. Thank you for being part of our mission to educate, uplift, and transform the lives of those living in greatest need.
Recent News highlights
A Summit for Unite University Scholars
In October, nearly 70 scholars and teammates gathered for five days of trainings and activities. We covered a full range of essential topics — health and wellness (mind, body, spirit), AI & digital literacy, transitioning to university, securing internships and jobs, how to succeed in the workplace and embody professional excellence, financial literacy, and more. We were honored to have Dr. Leonard Malasa, founder of Tanzania Better Health and medical educator at Kairuki University, and Dr. Eshaan Williams of Besta Clinic lead our health workshops with exceptional insights and care. We were also thankful to welcome international guests: Board members Debbie Wiley, Nicole Gerber and Kim Merriman; advisor Doug Crisman; and sponsors Nina Evison and Lele Bitting.
Throughout the week, scholars and teammates were recognized for their strengths—consistency, commitment, and determination; leadership, mentorship, and advocacy; creative excellence, accountability, and integrity; outstanding internship performance; persistence in securing new opportunities; and more. These awards marked character, growth, and achievement.
Our scholars embody confidence, wisdom, and grace, and they demonstrate all that is possible with education, grit, and purpose. They will be the leaders who guide their country toward a brighter, more equitable and just future for all.
Video Links
Please click HERE to watch a two-minute video of the event highlights.
Scholar introductions: Emmanuel Mkulati; Jackline Vincent; Vaileth Komba
To see images of the event, click on the gallery below.
Celebrating Unite’s 2025 University graduates
This month, we celebrate the graduation of 19 of our university scholars. These remarkable young men and women have successfully earned degrees in finance, engineering, health sciences, actuarial sciences, tourism, tax administration, social work, psychology & counseling, business, and accounting from such leading institutions across Tanzania as the University of Dar es Salaam, University of Dodoma, Institute of Finance Management, Jordan University, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Science, Mwenge Catholic University, Institute of Tax Administration and Mzumbe University.
Nearly all of these graduates are already gainfully employed—working in hospitals and dental clinics; film, hospitality, steel, and food industries; non-governmental organizations; and more. Several have also launched their own businesses, diversifying their income and expanding their impact within their communities.
After graduation, they continue to serve as Unite ambassadors. When possible, our graduates are invited to support trainings and events and help develop advanced curricula. They are actively building our alumni network—opening doors for one another, sharing advice, creating opportunities, and living out Unite’s core values of service, leadership, and community.
More than half of our 2025 graduates are the 1st members of their families — and three are first in their clans — to earn a Bachelor’s degree.
Unite’s new university scholars of 2025
Last June, we celebrated the high-school (Form 6) graduations of 18 scholars. Over their long breaks, each one was placed in a professional internship with such partners as Power Providers Solar Company, Bethsaida Girls School, White Lake High School, Apro Visuals, Kibogoji Experiential Center, Cardinal Rugambwa Hospital, and the Unite Food Program.
Today, each of our 2025 Unite high-school graduates is now enrolled in university pursuing fields as wide-ranging as medicine; biomedical, mechanical, and civil engineering; clinical dentistry; occupational therapy; diplomacy and military history; human resources; financial management; social work; aquatic sciences; agribusiness; health systems monitoring and evaluation; information technology; medical laboratory science; economics & statistics; and computer science. Four scholars have been awarded the prestigious Presidential Scholarship; and many others have been supported by generous Unite donors. Currently, Unite has 38 scholars studying in colleges and universities across Tanzania.
Unite high school graduate Leni Mlajile has now started her university studies in biomedical engineering in Dar es Salaam.
Unite documentary wins international film award
In November, our short film “Nurturing Unrecognized Potential: The Unite Scholars Program” was awarded best foreign documentary by Meliora Film Festival in New York City.
Elisha, the star of the film, lost his eyes to cancer as a small child. After performing well in lower-secondary school, Elisha was selected to join the Unite Scholars Program in 2022. In 2024, he successfully graduated from high school/A-levels and enrolled in the University of Dar es Salaam to study Mass Communications. Last month, Elisha was invited to attend a workshop on assistive technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership for the visually impaired organized by SLOAM International. There, Elisha was named Best University Student among all Tanzania’s Visually Impaired Students and received a certificate of excellence and cash award.
Today, we are in discussions with Hadley Helps for the Blind to see how Elisha and other Unite scholars can serve as ambassadors to help extend Hadley’s essential services, which include Seeing AI, an application that audibly describes settings and recognizes faces, identifying people and places in the lives of individuals living with visual impairments.
IN Other RECENT NEWS
(Click on gallery of images below.)
All of Unite’s 39 A-Level scholars are now home from their respective boarding schools for the holidays and each has been paired with a Unite university scholar who is serving as a Big Brother/Sister to provide emotional support, academic tutoring, and school-related advice. (December)
In partnership with the Unite Food Program, Unite has provided extensive food relief to our scholars, teammates, and key partners to assist during the holiday season. (November - December)
Unite A-level scholar Mussa Soumare was selected to participate as a model in the Swahili Fashion Week in Dar es Salaam. (December)
Unite medical student Zainabu Seiph interned for three months at FAME hospital and was selected to join a neurology team from the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (July - October)
University graduates Stella Mosha and Ashura Kaaya have kicked off Unite’s new partnership with Greenmanjaro Foundation by training their volunteers in Goal Setting & Planning. (December)
Unite scholar Bernard Kicheleri has been invited by the Embassy of Sweden to speak about his journey as a cancer survivor and to serve as a Global Youth Ambassador for Education. (December)
Unite university scholar Lazaro Frederick was selected to attend the Tanzania Robotics Day, an international event designed to support talented youth and encourage interest in technical disciplines. (December)
Advisor Doug Crisman is now leading weekly entrepreneurship training seminars for Unite scholars. Our students’ enterprises include social media management, video creation, and multimedia storytelling; the creation of a mental health AI avatar; and sales of business stationeries, second-hand technology and clothing.
Unite university scholar computer engineer Aneth Seleli is one of three women to be chosen to design a comprehensive IT management system for the Mbeya University of Science and Technology. (July to present)
Unite medical students Nicholaus Makenza and Onesmo Shedrack assisted with the deliveries of 26 babies during their internships at Ngarenaro Medical Center, and Unite nursing student Pili Bida delivered her 42nd baby under supervision during her third-year internship placement at Maternity Africa. (July - October)
6 Unite university scholars led a discussion for the Vavagaa Podcast at Soma Book Cafe covering such issues as young adult relationships, business creation, and how youth can earn incomes and balance their lives. (December)
13 Unite scholars attended Gather & Grow events in Dar es Salaam, engaging with professionals through storytelling, book discussions, and mentorship. (October-November)
100 trees were planted by our newest Unite Club at Gidea Girls School in northwestern Kenya, bringing the total of trees planted by Unite to combat deforestation and provide access to shade and fruits to 1,974. (November)
6 Unite scholars participated in the Tanzania Better Health (TBH) Outreach Mission in Monduli where 2,217 vulnerable women, children, elderly and impoverished community members received free health education, screenings, and medications. (September)
Unite scholar Elina Green traveled to the U.S. to represent Tanzania at the Greenheart Global Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., and later to work at Hershey Park in Pennsylvania. (Summer 2025)
3 Unite scholars were chosen to attend the TIMUN (Tanzania Model UN) Conference, which covered such issues as gender equality and youth engagement in global affairs. (August)
3 Unite scholars were selected to participate in the United Nations Association of Tanzania’s Youth Expo at the University of Dar es Salaam. (August)
5 Unite scholars conducted STEM Trainings at Elite Dignity Primary School, cultivating a foundational understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics for students in grades 1 to 7. (August)
Through Unite’s Warrior for Change Program, $1,266 in new interest-free loans have been awarded to 10 Unite scholars, teammates, and Brave Widows since July.
23 Unite medical scholars volunteered at a public health day at Cardinal Rugambwa Hospital to help provide a warm welcome to the public and deliver critical information concerning proper nutrition, mental health, personal care, and HIV/AIDS. (July)
* For those seeking more information about the “chaotic aftermath of Tanzania’s presidential election” on October 29, 2025, please click HERE for the CNN report from November 25, 2025.
NOTE: I have been asked what the recent events in Tanzania mean for our scholars and teammates and their futures. My honest response is, "I do not know.” However, I do know that as long as Unite can provide access to quality education where there once was none; impactful mentorship; life-saving family support; a loving, supportive global network and community; professional development; and a pathway to gainful employment to achieve independence and self-sufficiency… we will.
If you haven’t yet included Unite in your charitable giving this year, please click the link above or send a tax-deductible donation to: Unite the World with Africa Foundation, 154 Arlington Avenue, Providence, RI 02906. Asante. Thank you.
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