Anne Merriman Wells ’89 and Her Dream to Unite The World with Africa
May 21, 2025
When Wheeler alumna Anne Merriman Wells ’89 returned to our Providence campus to speak with the Upper School community, she reflected on the dream that became her life’s work: “Big dreams are never practical,” she said.
Anne is the founder and executive director of Unite the World with Africa Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for impoverished and marginalized youth and women in Tanzania to thrive through education, leadership, and business development programs. “This is a dream that was in my heart when I was very young,” Anne explained.
She had first visited East Africa when she was 19 years old to study wildlife management. While in Tanzania, Anne was deeply moved by its beauty and the disparities she witnessed between her own privilege and the hardships locals faced. Years later, in 2008, she felt called to return to Tanzania to help address those inequities.
During her talk with our Upper Schoolers, Anne shared stories of establishing Unite the World from the ground up. Initially, it was a social enterprise offering ethical safaris and artisan goods to support economic development, and in 2014, she established it as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. She spoke about some of the challenges she faced early on and about the program participants whose lives—and communities—have been transformed through the foundation’s work.
Anne hoped to encourage students to stay connected to their own aspirations, even if they don’t seem immediately attainable. “If something really talks to your heart, listen to it. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be practical or get the job that pays the bills—but don’t give up on your dreams just because you’re young,” she said. “Work hard, do what you need to do, but keep nurturing your dream. It is yours for a reason.”
Her work in Tanzania has received national recognition. The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights named Anne a “Local Defender,” and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal honored her for the foundation’s “extraordinary commitment to connecting Americans and Tanzanians in meaningful and impactful ways to alleviate human suffering.”
Returning to Wheeler with her sister and fellow alumna Kim Merriman ’87, Anne said she was moved by how much the school had evolved while retaining its strong sense of community. “Wheeler is an extraordinary institution,” she said. “I was just really honored to be back.”
