Earlier this month, Powering Potential donors and friends joined us for a virtual Lunch & Learn to hear directly from our Tanzanian team and teachers at partner schools. We’ve already shared some of the key takeaways by email and on social media, but the conversation itself was rich enough that it deserves a home on our blog.
Lunch & Learns give our community a chance to hear unfiltered stories from the people who are using our computer labs every day. Donors see how their support shows up in real classrooms, and teachers and students get to speak directly to the people investing in their futures.
These conversations also help us bridge the gap between rural Tanzanian schools and supporters around the world. When donors hear teachers describe crowded classrooms, long travel times, and the realities of teaching without reliable electricity, the impact of a solar‑powered computer lab becomes much more concrete.
“We are so excited to use the online teaching materials from the Tanzanian Ministry of Education. The computers have helped the teachers and students 100%.”
– Diego teacher Pascal Lucas.
What Teachers Shared
During the call, several teachers described how access to computers, projectors, and digital curriculum has changed their teaching and their students’ lives:
Alumni Success & Full-Circle Story
Justine Temu from Banjika Secondary School talked about graduates who’ve found success, both in university and in securing jobs because of their computer skills training. Justine himself learned computer skills on the first computers donated to Banjika 20 years ago.
Digital Tools Driving Better Outcomes
Eligi Tairo shared how teachers are embracing new teaching methods with digital tools, leading to stronger learning. As they gain confidence with laptops, projectors, and digital curriculum, teachers are also growing professionally and finding new ways and learning styles to reach students .
Students & Small Businesses
Eligi also highlighted how students are using their digital skills beyond the classroom. Graduates are drawing on what they learned in the lab to become entrepreneurs, designing flyers, using social media, and marketing their own.
Technology Improving Focus & Performance
Teachers shared recurring themes: when teachers use projectors, students pay more attention; digital tools help teachers cover the syllabus on time; and students are better prepared for national exams.
As these benefits extend beyond the classroom, digital skills are becoming essential not only for passing exams but also for helping students find work and participate in the local and global economy.
Everyday Challenges, Real‑World Solutions
One story that stuck with many of us was about something as simple as printing exams. Before Banjika had computers and a printer, staff had to drive roughly two hours into town and pay someone to type and print tests or forms – trips that could take an entire day during the rainy season, when roads are muddy.
Now, teachers can prepare and print what they need at school, saving both money and countless hours!
Over the past 20 years, we’ve updated our technology and solar systems based on feedback from the schools. Conversations like this Lunch & Learn help ensure that our projects keep pace with changing conditions on the ground, so we continue to meet the needs of the people we are working to help.
Thank You To Our Community
We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, asked thoughtful questions, and listened to our partners’ stories. Your curiosity and encouragement mean a great deal to our team and to the students and teachers we serve!
Please consider sharing this blog post or social posts.
No comment yet, add your voice below!