About US

Our Mission

The mission of Powering Potential is to leverage local knowledge and expertise to provide students in underserved areas of Tanzania with educational resources and the digital skills they need to succeed in school and increase workforce readiness in an evolving global economy.

Our Story

Powering Potential began in 2006 when technology entrepreneur Janice Lathen visited Banjika Secondary School while on a trip to Tanzania. Inspired by the bright students, she donated computers and a solar system to the school. After Banjika saw a 500% increase in transfers to the school due to the installation of the computers, Janice began fundraising to bring solar computer labs to more schools in rural Tanzania.

Eng. Albin Mathias was a teacher at Banjika Secondary during that time. Using the equipment donated by Ms. Lathen, he taught himself to use computers. He was so inspired, he went back to school to pursue a degree in Information Technology. Using his expertise in ICT and experience as a teacher, he began helping Ms. Lathen implement solar-powered computer labs and digital skills training at underserved schools across the nation.

In 2015, Powering Potential became a formal 501(c) (3) charitable nonprofit organization in the United States. At the same time, Ms. Lathen and Eng. Mathias helped establish the local Tanzanian NGO, Potential Enhancement Foundation, which has its own governing board composed of Tanzanian experts in education, IT, economic development, and business.

Today, Executive Director Caitlin Kelley and our Tanzanian team continue to build brighter futures through digital empowerment.

Since 2006, Powering Potential has brought solar-powered computers and digital skills training to 51 schools in Tanzania, impacting over 40,000 students and teachers.

Who We Serve

Underserved students in Tanzania

We serve students and teachers in underserved parts of Tanzania who lack access to reliable electricity, digital tools, and curriculum-aligned learning resources.

Our work supports communities where students often share one textbook among 10 students, and have little exposure to technology, yet are eager to learn, gain digital skills, and pursue future opportunities.

By providing schools with solar power, computers, offline curriculum content, and training, we help ensure that every student has a fair chance to learn and thrive.

Where We Work

Tanzania, since 2006

Our Team

Powering Potential is guided by Executive Director Caitlin Kelley, with a dedicated team working across the United States and Tanzania.

Our U.S. staff and Board of Directors provide strategic leadership and fundraising support, while our Tanzanian partner organization, the Potential Enhancement Foundation (PEF), leads all field implementation, training, and ongoing school support.

Together, we combine global expertise with local leadership to deliver technology that strengthens teaching, expands learning opportunities, and supports long-term success for students and schools.

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Our Commitment to Accountability

We hold ourselves to high standards in every aspect of our work.

Our programs align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education and gender equity.

We track outcomes closely, maintain transparent financial reporting, and ensure all equipment is responsibly sourced, installed, and supported for long-term use. We partner with PEF to monitor each school’s progress so donors can trust that their contributions create lasting, measurable impact.

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