Tanzanian Organization Established

We are excited to announce that the Potential Enhancement Foundation (PEF) has been established in Tanzania by Tanzanians to continue the work of Powering Potential Inc. (PPI).  This is a dream come true for PPI.  As Julius Nyerere, the father of Tanzania said, "If real development is to take place, the people have to be involved."  This coming year will be a year of transition as PPI continues to transfer more and more responsibilities to the Executive Council of PEF:

Mr. Theophilus Mlaki, Chair.  An expert in Information and Communication Technology for Rural Development (ICT4RD). Former Director of Information at the Tanzanian Commission for Science and Technology.

Dr. Amos Nungu.  Head of the National Centre of Excellence in ICT, Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology in Tanzania and CEO of the Tanzania Education and Research Network and project manager of the ICT4RD program.

Mr. Sabasaba Moshingi, Treasurer.  CEO of Tanzania Postal Bank.

Mr. David Sem.  Sales and Marketing Manager at Tourism Promotion Services (Tanzania) Limited (Serena Hotels).

Eng. Albin Mathias, General Secretary and Executive Director.  (PPI's Country Director since 2011).

PEF was officially registered on September 14, 2016 as a local Non-Government Organization (NGO) operating on a national level. We had wanted to use the name Powering Potential-Tanzania but that name was not acceptable. The Tanzanian government has strict criteria for NGO names so the Potential Enhancement Foundation was chosen which is in keeping with Powering Potential's philosophy of powering/enhancing human potential.

PEF, in collaboration with Powering Potential, will implement a number of projects in Tanzania, including the Computer Lab-Phase 2 program at the Nainokanoka school in Ngorongoro District (Phase 2 is the addition of 15 computers and solar power expansion.)

The Endallah and Slahhamo Secondary Schools in Karatu District are also preparing for a Computer Lab-Phase 2 implementation.

In 2017, in the spirit of explore and discover, PEF plans to run a Raspberry Pi Workshop bringing together Tanzanian technology experts and teachers and students from Powering Potential schools.  This workshop hopes to motivate students and teachers to use solutions provided by technology to enhance the process of teaching and learning.

The Executive Council of PEF held their first meeting on Nov. 12 which was attended by Mr. Theo Mlaki, Dr. Amos Nungu and Eng. Albin Mathias.



PEF Executive Council members (l. to r.),

Eng. Albin Mathias, Theo Mlaki, and Dr. Amos Nungu
(absent Mr. Moshingi, David Sem)
Grandvilla Hotel, Dar es Salaam
Nov. 12, 2016



Open Source Initiative's first African Affiliate Member

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) invited Powering Potential to apply for membership and unanimously accepted us as an Affiliate Member and as their first African Affiliate Member.  We were invited to apply for membership after OSI featured our work on their blog in June. OSI is an organization dedicated to promoting open source software development, innovation and collaboration on a global scale.

Powering Potential has a firm commitment to enhancing education in rural Tanzania. To do so, we utilize 5-watt Raspberry Pi computers powered by solar energy. Each unit is fully configured and contains open source software from other OSI Affiliate Members such as Debian Linux, LibreOffice, and Python. We also use an open source programming language called Scratch. This software enables us to sustain our programs by keeping maintenance costs down while enabling students to benefit from leading edge technology.

We hope to strengthen the open source movement internationally with this collaboration and provide more opportunities to the Tanzanian people in the process. This includes spreading awareness about other OSI Affiliate Members and open source projects in Africa.

Open source technology is a platform we use to encourage Tanzanian youth to compete on a world stage. Our Educating-Through-Technology programs with the RACHEL offline educational content from WorldPossible.org have reached more than 10,000 students and enabled them to advance their education and secure employment with their technology skills.

Founding Director Janice Lathen expressed her excitement about this development: "We are honored to be an Affiliate Member of OSI and especially honored to be their first African Affiliate Member. This membership reaffirms our commitment to open source and other aspects of the sustainability movement such as solar energy."

o o o 

The following Swahili proverbs are courtesy of The Center for African Studies at the University of Illinois. Swahili is the beautiful language of Tanzania:

Kila chombo na faida yake. 

Every tool has its use. Nothing is done or made without a reason.
______

Iweke mizizi ya juhudi.

Plant the roots of generosity.