The Unite Scholars Program identifies exceptionally talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across Tanzania and supports them from the completion of O-Levels through A-Levels, university, and the start of their careers. With mentorship from Tanzanian and international professionals and preparation in real workplace standards, our scholars are equipped to contribute meaningfully from day one.
That is our promise. And it is a big one.
Keeping that promise takes far more than covering school fees, transportation, medical care, and living expenses. We provide tutoring and mentorship throughout the year and regularly bring scholars together at venues across Tanzania for workshops, training, summits, and educational seminars that build skills they will need in any profession.
This year’s five-day October summit, held in Usa River, Tanzania, brought our university-level scholars together to explore what it means to become the best versions of themselves—today, tomorrow, and in the years to come.
“Everything we do, big or small, matters. Every effort counts, and every action makes a difference.” —Anne Wells
Sessions covered leadership and character, productivity, workplace readiness, personal branding, mental health, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse, purposeful writing, digital literacy, public speaking, career planning, financial literacy, presenting with impact, and how to think critically while using AI.
Just as valuable was the time spent connecting, sharing experiences, and strengthening the bonds of our Unite family. Throughout the summit, we returned to the values that guide us: honesty, integrity, hard work, excellence, resilience, curiosity, service, and love.
Unite Scholars Swaumu, Omary, Neema, Barnaba, Leni, Jackline, Angela, Jensen, Emmanuel, Mercy, Simpoliana, Elizabeth & Oliva at the October Unite Summit.
Take a look inside the summit
Click on the video hyperlinks below.
Highlights from across the event
Our 2026 Form 6 graduates, all of whom started university in the past two weeks. Fields of study include: Data science & Artificial Intelligence, Economics & Finance, Laboratory Sciences, Information Technology, Computer Science, Metallurgy & Mineral Processing Engineering, Sociology & Social Work, Environmental Science & Technology, Accountancy, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Processing, Business Administration, Electrical Engineering, Nursing, and Chemistry.
Unite Scholars Program Director Joan Mnzava leads her scholars in a dance.
Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
—Joan Mnzava, Unite Scholars Program Manager & lead mentor
Unite Scholar Bartazaro Elias receives the Unite Outstanding Scholar Award 2026 in recognition of his exceptional commitment to academic, personal, and professional excellence as well as to community service. Bartazaro is now in his 1st year at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College in Moshi, Tanzania, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Science.
You do not need more hours. You need to use your hours wisely.
—Loyce Cheja, a Unite graduate and social worker at The Kafika House in Arusha
Our Unite leadership team with scholars in the field of medicine. Degrees earned and/or still being pursued include medicine (surgery, general practice, OB/GYN, ophthalmology), nursing, occupational therapy, psychology, dental surgery, social work, pharmacy, radiography, and laboratory science.
It’s not about much money you make, it’s how much money you spend.
— Kim Merriman, Unite board member & financial literacy trainer
Rehema Muniko leads a session called “Thinking with AI.”
AI can accelerate work, But You remain responsible for the thinking.
—Rehema Muniko, a Unite advisor and lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam
Unite’s 2026 university graduates (Zainabu Mjanja, Zainabu Seiph, Aneth Seleli, Pili Bida, and Lazaro Frederick) line up for center stage.
I don’t want to copy China’s solutions. I want to understand the principles behind their development in order to create solutions that are appropriate for Africa.
— Barnaba Zakaria Madirisha, Unite university scholar in electrical engineering
Anty Marche (right) with scholars Seiph Ibrahim Seiph, Pendo Nelbert, Elizabeth Bida and Juma Awadh.
Our model is built on trust, consistency, and meaningful community engagement.
—Anty Marche, Unite Program Director
David Wells leads a session called Presenting with Impact.
Ask yourself: Who is responsible? Who will be held accountable? Who is being consulted? And who is being informed?
—David Wells, Unite board member & EY partner
Doug Crisman shares about the importance of an abundance (vs scarcity) mindset and how to see opportunity everywhere.
Think like you are the owner.
—Doug Crisman, Strategic advisor to Unite & Performance Works Africa
Unite graduates Stella Mosha (psychologist and trainer, Performance Works Africa), Ashura Kayya (social media manager & mentor, Unite the World with Africa Foundation), and Aneth Seleli (computer and systems engineer, Performance Works Africa).
Your past is part of your story, not the author of your future.
—Stella Mosha, Unite graduate & psychologist
Unite’s medical scholars and teammates meet with Robin Mwanga from the Institute for Child Healthcare Africa in Arusha to discuss medical care & professional needs in Tanzania.
“A lack of soft skills can kill all the education that you obtain in school.”
—Robin Mwanga, Unite’s friend and partner at the Institute for Child Healthcare Africa
David Bitaho, a Unite graduate, with Katunzi Baraka, a Unite scholar studying Diplomatic & Military History at the University of Dar es Salaam.
What comes to mind when your name is mentioned? Your reputation is shaped by you.
—David Bitaho, Unite Graduate & Manager at AFRISOS
Winson Mahenge leads the men’s football team during our sports bonanza at the Summit.
After this lesson, what will you do differently with your phone tomorrow?
—Winson Mahenge, a Unite scholar studying actuarial science at the University of Dar es Salaam
These summits are huge milestones for our Unite family and important reminders that our scholars’ futures are shaped by more than their academic achievements, as extraordinary as they may be. The human connections, the love and encouragement, and the integrity, curiosity, discipline, confidence, resilience, faith, and humility developed along the way… are also essential to our individual and collective success.
I am deeply grateful to every scholar, teammate, mentor, partner, employer, and donor who has helped turn this dream of Unite into a reality. Our graduates are thriving. Our scholars are doing the hard work of learning and growing. Our team remains focused and committed, and our international family of partners and donors is strong.
Onward we go, pamoja. Together, everything is possible.
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NOTE: A very special thanks to Winson Mahenge for his reporting on this blog post and to Richard Munisi, Katunzi Baraka, Ashura Kaaya, and their digital media team for the photos and videos.