We’re absolutely thrilled to introduce three schools that are part of Phase Two of the Karatu District Project!

We’ve recently connected with students, teachers, and school leaders eagerly awaiting their new computer labs. Their enthusiasm is contagious as they envision the incredible impact these installations will have on the students, teachers, and communities.

We received inspiring words from Godfrey, a dedicated head prefect, and Andrea, a passionate teacher at Diego Secondary School, as they anticipate the installation of a new computer lab.

Godfrey expressed, “This will help us in our studies to gain knowledge that is not in our books. It will empower our teachers to be more creative and use technology to enhance our learning. I’ll be encouraging my fellow students to utilize the computers to improve our academic performance. Thank you!”

Andrea added, “On behalf of Diego Secondary School, thank you to Powering Potential for this impactful project. It will benefit our entire school community – students and teachers alike. The lab will enable us to share new knowledge, access online teaching resources, and elevate our academic standards. We are grateful for your support and believe this project will propel us to new heights.”

Mr. Swai, Headmaster of Marang Secondary School, expressed his excitement, stating, “First of all, I am very excited about the computer lab from Potential Enhancement Foundation. As a school leader, I am really looking forward to working with them. I will be getting involvement from the parents to prepare the classroom. I believe this program will have a huge benefit to our students, especially nowadays as technology changes so quickly. People need to have a good understanding of technology and how to use computers. “

The excitement doesn’t stop there! Families and community members are also stepping up, coming together to prepare for the arrival of these new computer labs.

Mr. Sanka, Headmaster of Gyekrum Lambo Secondary School, shared his gratitude, saying, “We were very happy to receive the news of this project which will help our students use modern tools to learn by using computers. We are getting ready and already have the room that will house the computer lab. We are still filling it up with the chairs and tables and making sure the room is secure. On July 1st we will be speaking with community stakeholders and leaders of the board about getting all the necessary equipment to make sure the room is ready. We are so grateful for this generous gift and for giving us this help. Thank you so much. The administration extends their thanks to you as well.”

This project extends beyond Diego, Marang, and Gyekrum Lambo Schools; it encompasses a total of eight schools: Gyekrum Lambo Secondary School, Kilimamoja Secondary School, Kilimatembo Secondary School, Kainam Rotia Secondary School, Marang Secondary School, Qurus Secondary School, and Diego Secondary School. Each school eagerly anticipates the transformative impact of technology on their educational journey.

Picture this: a bustling classroom filled with eager students, their faces illuminated by the glow of computer screens. It’s not just any ordinary school day – it’s a day brimming with excitement and opportunity, all thanks to the remarkable impact of a computer lab installation.

This month we are excited to hear from students and teachers at Oldeani Secondary School, where the power of technology is reshaping the educational landscape one keystroke at a time.

During the installation, PPI executive director Caitlin Kelley remarked, “These new learning hubs represent more than just equipment; they symbolize opportunities that will shape the future of countless students.” The students and teachers at Oldeani School are already reaping the rewards of using the computer lab, witnessing significant enhancements in both teaching methods and learning outcomes.

Samwel, a Form Two student at Oldeani Secondary School, said “the computers help us to do different academic activities. We learn applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher and we learn to do exercises like creating folders and typing. We have Shule notes to read before class. The computers help us to rise academically. Thank you to Powering Potential!”

Oldeani student Zahara shared “The computers give us access to notes and to programs like Word, Excel, and Publisher. These programs help me to improve my academic performance.” 

Tumain is a teacher of computer information studies at Oldeani Secondary School. He noted “The computers help the students to improve their knowledge in other study areas by using class notes, having group discussions, and taking quizzes with the computers. They help teachers to prepare the academic activities for the classes, such as monthly tests, semi-annual exams, and annual exams. The solar power supply is reliable and supplies enough electricity to power the computer lab.”

In June 2023, the halls buzzed with excitement as the new computer lab and solar installation were unveiled. Since then, more than 285 bright minds—both students and teachers—have plunged into the endless possibilities of the digital realm, courtesy of the PPI computer lab. It’s been a year filled with discovery, learning, and empowerment!

Support students like Samwel and Zahara by joining the PPI community of donors!

Step into the realm of transformative education in rural Peru, where Dana Rensi, PPI’s regional director for Latin America, shines as a beacon of innovation and impact! In the early months of 2024, Dana’s outstanding contributions were celebrated as she was honored for spearheading groundbreaking educational initiatives in the heart of Peru’s countryside.

Enter the Reto Ruralia (Rural Challenge) program, now in its second triumphant year in Peru. This groundbreaking initiative serves as a catalyst for change, offering vital funding and ongoing education to educational leaders across the country. Imagine the scene: a handpicked cohort of visionaries, drawn from the farthest reaches of Peru, converging for an intensive two-month journey of learning and collaboration. These trailblazers, armed with a passion for change, immersed themselves in a transformative blend of online courses, mentorship, and hands-on projects.

As Dana reflects on her experience, she shares her journey with heartfelt gratitude: “Being part of Reto Ruralia was both a privilege and a challenge. The wealth of knowledge and support from my mentors and peers fueled my growth every step of the way. I emerged with a newfound understanding of problem-solving, stakeholder engagement, and effective implementation strategies. This experience will undoubtedly empower PPI to amplify our impact across Peru.”

But the impact doesn’t stop there. Cast your gaze upon the San Francisco Rio Itaya school in Iquitos, Peru, where PPI’s legacy of transformation unfolds. Here, a unique challenge meets unparalleled innovation as a solar-powered computer lab takes root in a community perched above the floodplains. Picture it: students, armed with newfound digital skills, breathe life into their imaginations as they explore the realms of animation and digital artistry. With each click of a mouse, a world of opportunity unfolds, empowering these young minds to shape their futures amidst the ever-changing tides of progress.

Help us empower students in rural Peru and Tanzania with essential digital skills and education!

This month, we’re thrilled to reconnect with Chaenda Secondary School.

Can you believe it’s already been a year since we completed the installation back in June 2023 and conducted training programs in August 2023? We’re bubbling with excitement to hear firsthand from both students and teachers about their journey with the computer labs over the past year. We can’t wait to share the progress they’ve made!

Students share that they are learning in new ways with the addition of computers in the classroom. Kelvin, a Form Four student at Chaenda says “There are many benefits that I get through the Powering Potential computer lab. For example, teachers use the computers and projector to display different pictures to help with learning. In biology, the teachers showed us how systems work.”

The students are not only honing their digital prowess but also uncovering the art of finding answers at their fingertips through computer exploration. Loyce, a Form One student at Chaenda shared,  “The computers help us when we don’t know the meaning of words, and we can search to learn the meaning. We also use the projectors to observe pictures and videos that give us knowledge. We also learn how to use the input and output devices for the computers, such as the mouse, keyboard, printer, and projector.”

“In bridging the digital divide through computer labs, we are not just providing technology but also dismantling barriers to knowledge. We are grateful to our donors and partners for making this possible, and we are excited to see the impact these labs will have on the lives of students and teachers,” commented PPI Executive Director Caitlin Kelley.

Teachers are witnessing an exciting evolution in their students’ growth, all while discovering innovative methods to captivate their classes through the power of computers. Paschael, a Chaenda teacher and computer manager, noted, “The project helps us to teach and to learn different materials using the computers. The computers allow students to take quizzes and do activities, and this improves their learning capability and their performance at school. The students are also able to interact with the computer parts. Now they are able to successfully use the mouse, keyboard, monitor, and printer. Using the projector to show photos and videos increases the students’ understanding.”

The Karatu District Project is planned to include a total of 23 schools, all of the secondary schools in the District that do not currently have computer labs and the supporting solar infrastructure. The next phase of the Project will add eight schools to the current group of seven in the District that have PPI computer labs.

With the support of our generous donors, the students and teachers of Chaenda Secondary School are gaining confidence and technology skills needed in the 21st century global economy. 

Support students like Loyce and Kelvin by joining our community of donors!

Dana Rensi, PPI’s regional director for Latin America, spent the month of March in Peru providing training and working to further develop the computer labs installed by PPI.

She conducted two training workshops with primary and secondary school teachers at the San Francisco Rio Itaya school in Iquitos, Peru. Nearly twenty teachers participated in the training workshops, including the principal of the school. The educators learned how to use Scratch, a coding program developed by MIT. It is a visual programming language designed for children that cultivates skills in creative problem solving, collaborating to develop solutions, and developing systematic thinking.

Teachers learned to use and work with Scratch for the first time during the workshops. They eagerly engaged with the program, learning to animate and adjust images through the “Animar Un Nombre (Animate a Name)” activity. After participating in the workshops, teachers are even more excited about the ways that they can engage their students in the computer lab to build their digital skills.

Ms. Rensi shared “My favorite part of the workshop was watching them learn and develop confidence in solving problems. When something is not working the way you want, you have to think about why. The activity develops problem solving skills. It is fulfilling to see learners create and come up with inventive solutions.”

Scratch has a simple and intuitive interface to help students learn programming using objects and attributes such as color, size, positioning, and movement. Without the need for deep knowledge in coding, Scratch users gain new skills that enhance their knowledge and performance in the computer lab as well as throughout their education and future employment.

Using computers to animate and change visual images is distinctive because it requires active learning. Rather than passively watching a video or presentation, students and teachers have to engage with the software to solve problems and develop solutions to complete the activity. These skills are important beyond the classroom; the students learn how to use creative thinking to develop solutions to questions and challenges in all areas of their lives.

Support more teachers and students in the PPI community!

We installed the computer lab at Gyekrum Arusha Secondary School in September 2023. Recently, we caught up with students and teachers at the School to find out how the computer lab is helping them. 

Rihana Robart, Form 4 student at Gyekrum Arusha School, shared the impact of the computer lab on her education and opportunities. “Powering Potential’s computer program has helped me in improving my grades and performing well in exams. Also, at home we have a laptop, so the knowledge that I have gained here about Word, Excel, and designing websites has helped me at home in helping my father and my family and they feel happy.”

Larson, a Form 2 student, conveyed his appreciation for the donation of the computer lab to the School: “I would like to thank Powering Potential and its donors for providing us with the computers because now we can learn ICT in our subjects.”

Gyekrum Arusha School teacher and computer lab manager Eligi Tairo reflected on the importance of the computer lab for the School: “The program is important because it gives our students skills in how to type, how to use Microsoft Excel, and how to use PowerPoint for presentations. This is a project that opens our school to the external world. We are so proud to have digitized learning and we are bringing ICT into our teaching and learning process.”

The Karatu District Project is planned to include a total of 23 schools, all of the secondary schools in the District that do not currently have computer labs and the supporting solar infrastructure. One of the first seven schools selected to receive computer lab and solar power installations in the Project, Gyekrum Arusha School is located just outside the city of Karatu and was founded in 2007. The current enrollment is 516 students – 341 girls and 174 boys. 

These resources open doors for the students by equipping them with technology skills needed in the 21st century global economy. With the support of our generous donors, the students and teachers of Gyekrum Arusha School are making strides toward their educational and future goals!

Support students like Rihana and Larson by joining our community of donors!

We are excited to announce that the Addax and Oryx Foundation has become a new funder of Powering Potential! 

The Addax and Oryx Foundation is a leading funder of projects that target the root causes of poverty in Africa and the Middle East. Their generous support will enable us to reach more students in Tanzania with our award-winning solar-powered computer program. 

This new funding will help us to provide 446 girls and 350 boys in two schools in the Karatu District in Tanzania with access to solar-powered computers, digital libraries, and training materials. With these resources, students will be better prepared to succeed in school, secure employment, and become productive global citizens!

This is a major milestone for Powering Potential, and we are grateful to The Addax and Oryx Foundation for supporting our mission to enhance education through technology in developing countries. Their investment will make a real difference in the lives of young people in Tanzania and help them reach their full potential.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey together. 

On February 10, 2023, the Daily News newspaper of Tanzania published an article about our Karatu District Project.