Sherehe

The Technology Tent Graduation Sherehe (Ceremony) on November 4 began with the students demonstrating what they had learned during their five-month course:

In the photo above we are watching students use a nested IF function to calculate grades. (If you know Excel you will know what I mean :)  I was VERY impressed with all that they could do!

Students are seated and standing in the back from left to right are Founding Executive Director of Powering Potential, Karatu District Education Officer, Banjika Headmaster, and Powering Potential's Country Director.

Then we moved to another room for the awarding of the certificates, speeches, and a feast. I got a big applause when I said, "Moyo wangu unaruku kwa furaha." (My heart is jumping with happiness.)

And presentation of gifts to Janice Lathen:

A heart-warming expression of appreciation by Happy Mashinga on behalf of the students
A sweet card
A beautiful piece of fabric
An original song and dance by the students


And below is all that they have learned.

RACHEL is the educational content which we install on the Powering Potential computers.

In Tanzania Again

Tanzanian State House in Dar es Salaam

Here I am again in Dar es Salaam meeting with government officials at the U.S. Embassy, the Ministry of Education and the Tanzanian State House (equivalent of the U.S. White House)...that was really cool !

More and more people here are becoming impressed with our work.

Tomorrow morning I will be going to Karatu to attend the graduation of the 23 students who have completed Powering Potential's five-month Technology Tent training course. Four of them will be chosen to become trainers at Welwel and Florian Secondary Schools, a pair at each school.

Next week we will install a solar energy system and five computers each at Welwel and Florian and the trainers will begin teaching what they have learned. Powering Potential will pay their wages for three months and thereafter each school has agreed to continue the employment of one trainer for a year. When the district can assign a degreed computer teacher to the school Powering Potential will return and add 15 computers and the school can then offer Information and Computer Studies courses as part of their curriculum.

I feel so amazed when I think about all that has happened because my heart was deeply touched by the Banjika school students.

A heartfelt appreciation to all of you who have joined me on this exciting journey.