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Powering Potential Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides Tanzanian public co-ed schools with solar-powered computers, open source software, and an offline digital library. Its headquarters are located in New York, New York.

History and Milestones


American entrepreneur Janice Lathen founded Powering Potential in 2006 after visiting the Banjika Secondary School in Karatu, Tanzania. After introducing herself to the students in Swahili, she was overwhelmed by the students' expression of appreciation. For the next three years, she worked with the Banjika administration to advance their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) program.

In December 2010, the US Embassy in Tanzania and Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt awarded Powering Potential with a grant of 8,600,000 Tsh (~$5,800).

In 2011, Janice Lathen met with Tanzanian Ambassador to the US Mwanaidi Sinare Maajar, Minister of State Stephen Wasira, former director of the Tanzanian Commission for Science and Technology Theophilus E. Mlaki, Tanzanian Minister of Education Shukuru Kawambwa, and the President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete.

In 2012, Powering Potential received a grant of 13,517,874 Tsh (~$8,534) from the Tanzanian Rural Energy Agency.

In 2013, Powering Potential presented to the Tanzanian Mission to the UN (Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzanian to the United Nations). Powering Potential received a grant from Tanzanian Postal Bank and the Tanzanian Rural Energy Agency.

In 2014, Powering Potential was invited by Tanzanian Ministry of Education to participate in the country's first Education Week in Dodoma, Tanzania, where they presented their project to the Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mizengo Pinda.

In 2015, Powering Potential received a $56,000 grant from Raspberry Pi Foundation, which was matched by the Segal Family Foundation. In May 2015, Powering Potential took part in Tanzania's second Education Week. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania at the time, visited the Powering Potential exhibit, saying, "Kazi nzuri! Hii ni tekinolojia tunayohitaji vijijini." "Good work! This is the technology which we need for the rural areas." In November 2015, founder Janice Lathen presented to an audience of 300 at the annual Defrag Technology Conference in Colorado.

In March 2016, Powering Potential celebrated its ten-year anniversary. In October 2016, Powering Potential was invited and unanimously accepted as the first affiliate member of Open Source Initiative operating in Africa.

Programs



 * Pi-oneer: Powering Potential's Pi-oneer program distributes Raspberry Pi computer systems with RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) offline educational content and Khan Academy media which is pre-installed. Includes mobile projector and solar charging unit.


 * Computer Lab: Powering Potential works with local Ministry of Education officials to identify schools that are prepared to receive complete self-contained solar-powered Raspberry Pi computer labs. After installation, Powering Potential identifies a capable technology trainer and provides him/her with a three-week training course that covers the basics of networking, word processing, file management, RACHEL, e-mail, and web research. Once completed, schools with Powering Potential computer labs can offer the Tanzanian national four-year curriculum of Information and Computer Studies courses.

Accomplishments


Powering Potential has seen significant expansion throughout its ten-year lifespan. Between 2006 and 2016, the organization achieved the following:


 * 29 solar power systems and 122 computers installed in 29 schools in 12 districts
 * 10,000+ affected teachers and students
 * 2,000+ hours of technology training provided
 * 1,500+ teachers and students completed technology training course
 * 700+ students enrolled in the Tanzanian national ICT courses for secondary schools
 * 500% increase in student transfers to Powering Potential pilot school
 * 11 college-level enrollments for technology-related degrees

In Slahamo Secondary School, 8.14% of students qualified in 2013 vs. 1.61% in 2012

In Endallah Secondary School, 27.14% of students qualified in 2013 vs. 5.94% in 2012

In Baray Secondary School, 26.32% of students qualified in 2013 vs. 7.94% in 2012