Our Programs
Powering Potential’s award-winning programs equip students in rural Tanzania with the digital tools and training they need to thrive in school and beyond. By combining solar energy, reliable hardware, relevant educational content, and in-person training, we’re helping students build brighter futures and giving teachers the resources to support them every step of the way.
Educating Through Technology
Our flagship program installs fully equipped, solar-powered computer labs in public secondary schools in rural Tanzania. Each lab includes 20 Windows computers, a projector, a local server loaded with the national curriculum, and a dedicated solar energy system. All installations are implemented in partnership with our sister organization in Tanzania, Potential Enhancement Foundation (PEF).
These labs allow students and teachers to:
Access the full Tanzanian secondary school curriculum through Shule Direct
Learn essential computer literacy and productivity skills
Engage in introductory coding workshops using Python and Scratch
Use projectors and audiovisual tools to increase engagement in class
Prepare for national exams and employment in the digital economy
Core Program Components
Solar-Powered Computer Labs
Every school receives:
20 Windows computers
3 local servers with Shule Direct curriculum content
A projector and screen
A mobile teaching device (Pi-oneer)
Solar panels, batteries, and power equipment
Internet connectivity with a mobile data plan
Shule Direct Curriculum
Shule Direct provides a digitized version of Tanzania’s secondary school curriculum, developed in partnership with certified teachers. It includes textbook content, study notes, practice tests, and multimedia materials. It is preloaded on local servers for offline access.
Teacher and Student Training
PEF provides hands-on training for students and teachers. Every school appoints two lab managers who receive additional training to ensure the lab remains functional and well-integrated into classroom instruction.
Coding Workshops
Schools are eligible for beginner programming workshops using Scratch and Python, which build digital fluency and open doors to 21st-century careers.
- Next installation: Phase 2 of Karatu District Project, currently in funding stage
Teacher and Student Training
PEF provides hands-on training for students and teachers. Every school appoints two lab managers who receive additional training to ensure the lab remains functional and well-integrated into classroom instruction.
Coding Workshops
Schools are eligible for beginner programming workshops using Scratch and Python, which build digital fluency and open doors to 21st-century careers.
- Number of Installations: 39
- Next installation: Phase 2 of Karatu District Project, currently in funding stage
Powering Potential conducted its first training in 2007 with one laptop. Since then, we’ve conducted 57 workshops at 39 schools across Tanzania and one in Peru.
Each computer lab installation includes a customized training program for students and teachers. Our team provides hands-on instruction covering:
Basic computer literacy
File management and office productivity tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Hardware setup and troubleshooting
Computer networking
Navigation of the digitized Tanzanian national curriculum using Shule Direct
Each school selects two teachers to serve as Computer Lab Managers, who receive additional training and lead ongoing instruction for other staff and students. This train-the-trainer model ensures long-term sustainability and skill transfer.
We also offer introductory coding workshops in Scratch and Python one to three times per year, based on school requests. These workshops encourage students to think creatively, solve problems, and prepare for a technology-driven future.
In 2007, students at Banjika—the first school we supported—had never used a computer. Founder Janice Lathen began with the fundamentals: What is a computer? What can it do? How does it work? During a school assembly, the student body president shared this heartfelt message:
“We saw computer in Magazine, TV, Newspaper but you are the one who showed us what is computer. We enjoyed all the program you taught us and the data which you recorded. It’s real appreciation.”
— Tumaini Rweymamu, Banjika Secondary School
- Number of Training Workshops Conducted: 57
- Next training: Phase 2 of Karatu District Project, currently in funding stage
Project Footprint
Labs Installed: 39
Workshops Conducted: 57
Students Impacted: Over 37,000
Current Focus: Karatu District Digital Empowerment Initiative
Our goal is to install a lab in all 16 government secondary schools in Karatu District. With 7 already completed and 4 more underway, your support helps us close the gap.
Projects Implemented
Support Our Efforts
As participation in the global economy increasingly requires digital literacy, it is more important than ever for students in developing countries to have access to information and communication technology to improve their lives. Will you join us?