Presentation at the Society for Ethical Culture

On December 8th, Powering Potential Founder Janice Lathen gave a presentation to the Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture. 
Formed in 1948, the Society for Ethical Culture is an extension of the Ethical Movement set in motion by Felix Adler in 1876. This event was coordinated leader Jim White and came about at the suggestion of David Kornbluh and Francine Scherer. 
After a thirty minute talk, Powering Potential held a Q&A session. It was well received. We are thankful for the opportunity to share our cause. 

The New York TZ Community Independence Day Celebration

Ambassador Manongi makes three cuts to the cake,
indicating love, freedom and unity.

On December 7th, Powering Potential Founder Janice Lathen attended the  NY-TZ Community Uhuru Independence Day Celebration in New York. 

Among those attending: the Tanzanian Ambassador to the United Nations Tuvako Manongi, Deputy Ambassador Ramadhan Mwinyi and the Ambassador from Somalia along with his wife.

A presentation was given regarding the preservation of historical buildings in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

The audience also heard a brief talk from the Somalian Ambassador’s wife , who is from Zanzibar, about her experiences being in Tanzania on Independence Day. Guests enjoyed a fashion show, music, dancing, and a delicious buffet dinner. 

Guests enjoying the menu 
and social aspects of the event.

#GivingTuesday

Today is #GivingTuesday. It is a movement dedicated towards both fundraising and raising awareness for humanitarian efforts on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving. Powering Potential could use your support today in the following ways:
Donate:

If you are able to make a financial contribution, visit the donation page of our website:
Follow us on Twitter and Like Us on Facebook:

Spread the Word:
Help us spread the word about Powering Potential by posting the following message (or your adaption of it) on Facebook and Twitter:
“Help a child in #Tanzania learn about #technology by supporting @PwringPotential on #GivingTuesday. Visit Poweringpotential.org to donate today!”
Thank you for your continued support!
– The Powering Potential Team

The NY-TZ Community Presentation

Powering Potential presented our Educating-Through-Technology program to the New York Tanzanian Community on Nov. 3. The audience had an opportunity to use a Raspberry Pi computer and the RACHEL educational content that is the hallmark of our program. 

Janice Lathen during the presentation 


Mwalimu Nyerere Day at the United Nations


Powering Potential founding executive director Janice Lathen attended the commemoration of Mwalimu Nyerere Day at the United Nations on Monday, October 14.

Mwalimu Nyerere Day dais

Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere was a visionary leader of solid moral integrity. He served as the first president of Tanzania from 1964-1985, which earned him the title “Father of the Nation.” His influence reached multitudes during that time, including Nelson Mandela. He is known as a model of peace and unity, and was a dignified African presence on the world stage. A famous quote of Nyerere: “A country or a village or a community cannot be developed. It can only develop itself. If real development is to take place, the people have to be involved.” 


Economic and Social Council Chamber

Held in the Economic and Social Council Chamber, the prestigious event began with opening remarks by the Permanent Representative from the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations Ambassador Tuvako Manongi, and a keynote address from the UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson. Afterward, ambassadors from around the world paid their respects to a hero who set an example for leaders across the globe. 


Book signing 
After closing statements, a book launch was held for the release of Julius Nyerere: Africa’s Titan on a Global Stage by Prof. Ali A. Mazrui and Prof. Lindah Mhando; and a reception followed at the Tanzania Mission to the United Nations.

Ms. Lathen said, “The first time I went to Tanzania, the cooperative spirit of the Tanzanians was palpable to me and I was spiritually uplifted by it. When I asked about it, I was told it was because of their first leader, Mwalimu Nyerere. Tanzanians are truly blessed to have such an inspired first leader and the world can benefit from following their example.”


DR. WILBARD LORRI

 Hello i’m Elibariki Magnus Powering Potential’s Karatu representative.

Dr;Lorri visited Wel wel secondary school on 25,July this year,as the only school among of six secondary schools which are in our project at Karatu district
Dr;Lorri is the Governmental officer who works in President office
Below are the photos of Dr; Lorri with Elibariki Magnus who is the Powering potential’s Karatu Representative

Elibariki narrating the RACHEL content 
to Dr. Lorri

Dr. Lorri, searching material in RACHEL, 
and Mr. Mndeme, a teacher at 
Wel Wel Secondary School with Elibariki.

Shimbwe Village

On August 2, I joined Ambassador Maajar and her sister Dr. Eve Hawa Sinare for a weekend at their Shimbwe village home for the purpose of visiting Sia Secondary School which would like to receive the Powering Potential Educating-Through-Technology program. It had been raining and we needed to buy boots for the muddy trek to the school.

Ambassador Maajar at the market in Moshi
buying the most fashionable boots she could find.
The future computer lab at Sia Secondary School in Shimbwe village. Left to right: Ambassador Maajar, Dr. Eve Hawa Sinare, Sia School headmaster, other school official.

Ambassador Maajar and I also met with officers of the Moshi Rotary Club to discuss a collaboration with the Livermore, CA Rotary Club for a Rotary International grant.
Left to right: Arthur Kiwia, Janice Lathen, Samuel Renju, Ambassador Maajar, Lucy Renju at the Honey Badger Lodge owned by the Renjus

Segal visit to Tanzania

From Janice Lathen, Founding Executive Director:

I finished up a three week trip to Tanzania, returning home on August 10. It was a very fruitful trip. The Segal Family Foundation had invited me to escort Rich and Joanna Segal on a trip through Tanzania to visit grantee sites and for a three day animal viewing safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Thank you to the Segals for treating me to an exciting trip. It was a pleasure to spend a week with Rich and Joanna.

We visited two Powering Potential schools, Florian and Welwel, and had a meeting at the District Commissioner’s office and the District Executive Director’s office. We also met, at Welwel Secondary School, with district officials, heads of schools, computer teachers, and Powering Potential program graduates and staff and spent the afternoon discussing the best way forward. It was an informative meeting for all involved.

Assembly at Florian Secondary School
Janice, Rich, Albin, Elibariki and Happy
Powering Potential office

Meeting in Karatu District Executive Director’s Office

Powering Potential at the United Nations

At the invitation of V. Ena Haines, Janice Lathen joined her on June 11 for a UNESCO event in the Trusteeship Chamber at the United Nations. Ms. Haines is an active board member of Powering Potential and is the Director of Information Technology at Teachers College/Columbia University. Ms. Lathen is the Founding Executive Director of Powering Potential.

The event was part of the UN Secretary-General’s Global Initiative on Education and was titled: Moving from access to learning in the post-2015 dialogue: Why indicators matter and how we can use them well.

Janice Lathen in the Trusteeship Chamber

V. Ena Haines and Janice Lathen



District Education Officers visit Powering Potential Installation at Welwel School

Below are photos posted by Albin Mathias, Country Director
Sitting from left Elzabeth Kipandwa, Head of the school,Wel wel secondary school,  Bernad  Mnyenyelwa ,District Education Officer(KARATU) Sijanona District Academic Officer  Mr Bryson Joseph new computer teacher and
Albin Mathias, Country Director (standing)
Elaborating the system to district officers