Google Campus Expedition

Google Campus Expedition 

w/ Janice Lathen and Prem Pandian

Here we are on my annual Powering Potential, Inc. (PPI) business trip to the drought-stricken West Coast! Weather absolutely fantastic. Note to self: consider moving PPI HQ to California? Temperature hovering around sixty degrees, but still overheard much complaining about the cold. Trying vainly to hold in my giggles. Californians, am I right? New York would give them something to complain about!

Anyway. Thursday morning Feb. 23. Uber'd over to the Google Campus on the outskirts of San Francisco to visit Powering Potential patron Prem Pandian --- equivalent alliteration unintended, I'm sure.

Prem, a Business Development and Supply Chain Manager at Google, has provided some incredible support for PPI. In 2016, he arranged for our organization to become a Google-approved nonprofit, which means Google will match any of their employee's donations. This year he offered to donate a few Google Chromebooks and Android tablets to our noble cause, and to show us around his workplace. What an opportunity!

Prem and me in front of the Android lobby. Giant metal Android sends his love. 

Here's a pic of me in front of a very important-looking building. Unfortunately, you're going to have to swallow your curiosity about what's going on inside, because the Google security team doesn't allow any indoor photography. This place isn't a petting zoo for programmers, folks — no matter how much fun as that'd be!

The Google Campus. Aptly named. Easy to mistake the inspiring architecture, groomed lawns, pickup volleyball, and casual dress as apex pedagogy, but no --- this is just how Google lures in the best of the best. 

You want perks? These are perks. International cuisine a la front-wheel drive. Ever wondered what drives technological innovation? Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Thai, and more.

Prem and I grabbed lunch and had a great talk about Powering Potential's growth in 2017. (Good things coming — stay tuned!) We also talked about Google, Facebook, and SpaceX's worldwide satellite internet, and how beautifully it works in conjunction with PPI's mission. After all, worldwide internet isn't all that useful unless people have computers to access it with. Imagine a world built on the free dissemination of information, where all people have equal access to the sum total of human knowledge. In a way, it'd be kind of like this row of food trucks — all of the world's best cultural offerings lined up for everyone to appreciate. Yum!

A digestive stroll after a big lunch. Noticed this bucket. Complimentary umbrellas, of all things? It appears California isn't as water-starved as they claim! (Kidding, of course.)

And what's this? Prem explains that Google provides complimentary Google-themed bicycles, too, so their employees can get some fresh air and exercise while traversing the complex.

Do I want to try one?

I jumped at the chance to take this baby for a spin. Here's me prepping for takeoff.

Ah, the salt-tinged coastal air running in your hair! Is there anything so wonderful? So very jealous of Google's bike policy!

Catching my breath in the parking lot afterwards, waiting for my Uber to return me to San Fran. Absolutely thrilled to see this line of charging stations in the Campus parking lot. So very cool!

Reminds me of PPI's work, of course. A different kind of alternative energy, but alternative energy just the same. Maybe someday we'll see solar-powered cars go mainstream?

Finally, here are the Chromebooks and tablets that Prem so generously donated to Powering Potential. Thanks so much, Prem! The work we do rests on the shoulders of generous people like you!

All told, I had a great time at the Google Campus. Hope to be back soon!

Prem Prandian: It was great catching up with Janice and the best part was taking her on the “Google Bike Ride.” Remember “Internship” anyone? 😁 I am extremely happy with the results of the Chromebook pilot study, and looking forward to all the cool things the students could do with the new batch of Chromebooks.

Powering Potential Returns to Nainokanoka Secondary

Phase 2 Installation at Nainokanoka Secondary School

In July 2014, Powering Potential, Inc. (PPI) visited the remote Nainokanoka Secondary School in Tanzania's Ngorongoro district to install our Phase 1 solar-powered Raspberry Pi computer lab. At the time, it was one of the most isolated sites we'd visited. Many of the students had never even seen a computer before, much less had the opportunity to use one.

On Jan 21, 2017, nearly three years later, a Powering Potential team led by ICT Manager Neema Lyimo has returned to install Phase 2 of its solar-powered Raspberry Pi computer lab at Nainokanoka Secondary School. Thanks to generous funding by Collegiate Church, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter  Foundation, Lisa and David Issroff and other individuals, the students, teachers, and administrators are enjoying access to 15 new Raspberry Pi computer systems, as well as an expanded solar infrastructure.

For the first time in its history, Nainokanoka Secondary can offer the national curriculum's four-year courses on Information and Computer Studies, giving the students the ability to fulfill the ICS criteria set forth by the Tanzanian Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and, in turn, pursue rewarding ICT-related careers.

Congratulations, Nainokanoka Secondary! Hongera sana!

A Letter from Nainokanoka Secondary's Headmaster, E. Masare

“With gratitude, thanks from the society of Nainokanoka administration, teachers, and students. We appreciate the reception of 15 more computers for phase 2. We will continue to effectively use the computer lab for our students. For now, the ICT class is open and ready to register for the ICS national curriculum. Next year our Form 2 class will do the National ICT curriculum. We wish you all the best and will continue to cooperate.” E. Masare, Headmaster.

Mwalimu Nickson, Model Teacher and ICS Extraordinare

Mwalimu Nickson is an ICS teacher at Nainokanoka Secondary. He has been an invaluable liaison between Nainokanoka's administration and Powering Potential's staff. His care and attention have ensured the program's successful implementation.

Mwalimu Nickson and ICT Manager Neema Lyimo working on the Phase 2 Installation

He demonstrated outstanding dedication by working shoulder-to-shoulder with the Powering Potential staff during installation, and even offered his own personal room for Powering Potential to use throughout the program's progress. We at Powering Potential thank him for his kindness and evident commitment to providing the best education he can for his students. Safi sana!

"We should be able to register ICS now that we have enough computers. Our student's performance will continue to improve with access to the RACHEL resources. Students will be encouraged by the school computers. They will enjoy learning more about this new technology." Mwalimu Nickson

Powering Potential's Enduring Gratitude

Enormous thanks to Collegiate Church, the Carpenter Foundation and all the other donors who helped make this Phase 2 installation possible. Know that you are making a tangible difference in the lives of many of the world's most underprivileged youth. It is impossible to express how much we appreciate your contributions.

Share in our success by making a tax-deductible donation today.