What We Do

We use technology to improve education and employability for youth in developing countries.

Working with the local community to design and implement every project, we install solar energy systems, use energy efficient Raspberry Pi computers loaded with digital educational resources, and provide training.

Since 2006, Powering Potential has impacted over 37,000 students and teachers at 40 schools in Tanzania and Peru. We have seen positive changes in educational and employment opportunities, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and schools, and witnessed a 500% increase in the number of students who transferred into our pilot school from other district schools.

Testimonials

“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.”

Rihana Robart

Form 4, Gyekrum Arusha Secondary School (2024)

“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.”

-Eligi Tairo

Teacher and Computer Lab Manager, Gyekrum Arusha Secondary School (2024)

What Makes Us Different

JaniceinClassroom — Training, Not Just Equipment: What good is a computer if you don’t know how to use it? We make sure students and teachers get comprehensive training so the technology and educational resources are effectively incorporated into the classroom, and students can use these skills for future education and employment.

Additional Education Resources: There is an acute shortage of textbooks in Tanzania and Peru. Some schools have 1 textbook for every 10 students, or books that are out of date. Our computer labs provide servers pre-loaded with the national curriculum and other study materials.

Solar Power: How can you use a computer without access to electricity? Computer donations are useless in places with limited access to the national grid and inconsistent power. Providing each school with a solar system ensures that the computers, projectors, and printers are always available to students and teachers. And it means that the labs are powered by 100% renewable energy.

Locally Led Projects: Our projects are designed and led by locals so you can be sure we are meeting a need and our computer donations are effectively incorporated in the classroom.

Investing in the local economy — Investing in the Local Economy: Many projects use equipment donated in the US and sent abroad, which costs more and keeps money in already wealthy countries. We source our equipment from local sources, so your donations are amplified by helping local businesses and saving money on shipping and customs costs.

Respect for local culture — Respect for Local Culture: Projects work better when they make sense in the local context and are done with respect. We respect the values of local cultures: cooperation over competition and community over the individual. We partner with local communities to design and implement all projects

Scaling Up and Replicating

We receive requests every week from schools and local organizations around the world asking for our help, but as a small organization we are only able to fulfill a tiny fraction of these requests. You can help us bring our program to more students by donating today.

157 Columbus Ave., 4th floor
New York, New York
10023-6082 USA

info@poweringpotential.org

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