Ten Years Ago Today

Janice Lathen with students at Banjika Secondary School

A personal note from Janice Lathen, Founding Director of Powering Potential:

Exactly ten years ago today, I stood in front of a classroom of students at the Banjika Secondary School in Karatu, Tanzania and said, “Jina langu ni Janice. Mimi ni mwalimu. Ninafundisha elimu ya kompyuta.” “My name is Janice. I am a teacher. I teach computer classes.” 

The students burst into excited applause and that expression of appreciation sparked a passionate desire in me. In that moment I decided to go home, raise money and buy 10 computers and return to spend a month teaching them how to use the computers. Powering Potential was born! Then I learned the school had no electricity.

How could I have imagined on March 9, 2006 that Powering Potential would become what it is? It is a humbling experience.

As I reflect on that day, I'm moved to tears when I think of all the people who are joining forces with me to bring educational resources, computer technology and solar power to students in rural Tanzania.

We started small, first one laptop, then five computers, and now there are 106 computers in 13 schools in three districts and we are about to bring our Pi-oneer program to an additional 56 schools. Students are getting college degrees and starting careers in technology.

Touched by Technology

Serious funders support us: first and foremost the Segal Family Foundation, also the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania, United Nations Women's Guild, Newman's Own Foundation, The International Foundation, IEEE Foundation, Collegiate Churches of New York, SanDisk Corporation, Raspberry Pi Foundation, TZ Rural Energy Agency, TZ Postal Bank, Serena Hotels, and hundreds of individuals.

The Tanzanian government including H.E. Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, former president of Tanzania, has expressed appreciation of our work. The Tanzanian Education Authority is considering a partnership with us. Powering Potential–Tanzania is being established which will be an independent organization led and funded by Tanzanians with additional funding and support from Powering Potential Inc. The torch is being passed.

Powering Potential's vision is: All students in Tanzania experiencing the joys of technology: efficient production, easy access to information, and communication with others.

Janice Lathen with students at Banjika Secondary School

And our mission: Use technology to enhance education and stimulate imagination of students in Tanzania while respecting and incorporating values of the local culture— especially cooperation over competition, community over the individual, modesty over pride, and spirituality over materiality. 

Hats off to all the people who are joining the effort to realize the vision and fulfill the mission! As a teacher at Banjika school said, "Before Janice came to our school, no one knew anything about the Computer. They did not know even what it looked like. It is amazing that now the kids are able to type something in the Computer and print with their own hands. These are great Changes." 

Be a part of these "great Changes." This month we begin implementing Phase 2 of our Computer Lab program at the Baray Secondary School and we still need $6,000 to complete the funding. Contribute what YOU CAN.

o o o 

Swahili is the language of Tanzania. The following African proverbs are another taste of that beautiful language:

Haba na haba, hajuza kibaba.

Little by little fills the measure.

Kila jambo na wakati wake.

There is an opportune time for everything.

H.E. President Kikwete and Powering Potential

In December, the Tanzanian Mission to the U.N. sent a letter, written on his last day in office, from His Excellency (H.E.) Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Referring to Founding Director Janice Lathen as "Mama Karatu," President Kikwete complimented our efforts in Tanzanian education while assuring that the new president, H.E. Dr. John Pombe Magufuli, would be supportive of our ongoing endeavors.

It was an amazing experience to have our cause receive the personal recognition of His Excellency. Yet this is not the first time that Powering Potential has been recognized by President Kikwete and the Tanzanian government.

Founding Director Janice Lathen and Organizational Development
Consultant Walter Minja brief President Kikwete at
the DICOTA Convention in September 2011

We first made the acquaintance of President Kikwete at the DICOTA Convention in September 2011. DICOTA stands for the Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America, which was originally founded as a non-profit in Minneapolis as a way to address socio-economic issues facing Tanzanians both here and abroad.

Working in conjunction with the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in the United States, the DICOTA convention brought 600 attendees to view various presentations. Janice Lathen and Walter Minja had the honor of introducing our work to President Kikwete at that time.

His Excellency President Kikwete with
Founding Director Janice Lathen
June 2012

Janice Lathen would have another opportunity to meet with President Kikwete after being invited to a luncheon at the State House in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by H.E. Ambassador Mwanaidi Maajar, the Tanzanian Ambassador to the U.S. on June 30, 2012. Ms. Lathen was delighted to take a picture with President Kikwete as well. More than a year later, Powering Potential would speak with President Kikwete briefly at the opening of the Tanzanian Consulate in San Rafael, CA on Sept. 16, 2013, an event to which Powering Potential received an invitation from Ahmed Issa, the Honorary Consul to Tanzania.

Ms. Lathen also met in person with H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, the Tanzanian Ambassador to the U.S. for the first time at the same engagement.

Fast forward to May 2015: Powering Potential geared up for Education Week in Dodoma, Tanzania, giving presentations of our ongoing computer lab installations. We were honored to have President Kikwete visit our exhibit.

Country Director Albin Mathias, Special Projects Manager Subilaga
Mwakilima and Walter Minja with President Kikwete
May 2015

After being briefed by Country Director Albin Mathias and Organization Development Consultant Walter Minja, His Excellency gave us a "thumbs up," saying "Kazi nzuri! Hii ni tekinolojia tunayohitaji vijini." ("Good work! This is the technology which we need for the rural areas.")

Our vision has always been to extend all the joys technology can provide to the students of Tanzania. The attention given to us by President Kikwete during his time in office cannot be understated. It is the highest honor to have our hard work rewarded by such prestigious recognition. It is also our goal to continue striving towards that same level of excellence in the future.

o o o 

Swahili is the language of Tanzania. Here is another taste of that beautiful language:

Habari za leo?
How are you today?

Nakutakia siku njema!
Have a nice day!