In our first quarter newsletter, we shared the success of the Annual Spring Fundraiser at the Tufenkian Artisan Carpet Showroom in New York City. The night was filled with Tanzanian food, art, and entertainment, and the splendor of an evening in Manhattan having drinks with friends. Among us were the Tanzanian Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Modest J. Mero, and live entertainment by Tanzanian singer Kokugonza Mugarula. Special recognition was given to The Collegiate Churches of New York for their financial support throughout the years. Earlier in the year, they awarded Powering Potential $7,000 towards the Endallah School Upgrade Campaign. The event successfully raised a portion of the funds needed and the campaign was successfully closed by our monthly and sustaining donors.
 

The Endallah Secondary School has maintained a Solar Powered Access to Raspberry Computing (SPARC) Lab since 2012. The SPARC Lab consists of a solar energy system, 5 computers, a server, and offline digital educational resources. Before the recent upgrade, “the computers were in pristine shape” said Lydia Sierra, PPI Development Director. Lydia shared that during her visit she saw that the computer lab was very clean and all of the computer monitors were covered while not in use. The Executive Director, Albin Mathias said that the equipment looked exactly the same as the day it was installed. The teachers use the lab to create and print lesson plans, which are in turn taught to the 458 students who attend the school. The Endallah School was selected for an upgrade to a SPARC+ Lab because of how well they maintain and utilize the Lab. We are so happy that they will start the new year with an expanded solar energy system and 20 computers. 

Expanded Offline Digital Curriculum

Early in the year, we shared the success of a Pi Workshop, which trained 12 teachers and 24 students from 12 Tanzanian public schools. Then we shared how Powering Potential was invited to MIT for the work created by students using Scratch, a visual programming language that allows young people to animate their imaginations and share their creations with the world. Now, we are happy to share that we have taken steps to implement a pilot project with Shule Direct’s Learning Management System (LMS), which provides offline access to the Secondary School Curriculum of Tanzania. The LMS is also a tool for content creation for teachers and it allows for interactivity and interactions amongst users i.e. students and teachers, and students and parents.

At the invitation of The Education Commission, a global initiative encouraging progress on UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 – inclusive and quality education for all -- PPI Founding Director Janice Lathen attended their "Make Impossible Possible" meeting on September 24th at the United Nations.

Before the event, at this year’s General Assembly, world leaders pledged their support for the establishment of the single largest investment in education history – the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd). The "Make Impossible Possible" event was co-hosted by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed and UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown (former Prime Minister of the UK).

New Year, New Look!

After more than a decade, the time has come for an image change. We created this new logo, thank you to Jonathan Pelton, Nikki Will, Taylor Smears and Jim Allen for their work on it. And keep your eyes peeled for exciting new changes to our website and brochure which we will be eager to share with you in the new year!

We're pleased to announce our newest board member, Jim Allen. Welcome aboard!

James (Jim) Allen is an Operations Group Supervisor at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. James is the organizer of the largest LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual) Vegan Meetup in the country – VegOutNYC. He is an abolitionist regarding animal exploitation and lobbies in Albany on behalf of animal protection bills going before the New York State Legislature. He has worked locally to ban the carriage horse industry in New York City. James also serves as a volunteer at the New York Insight Meditation Center in NYC. He holds a B.A. from New York University in Urban Design Theory.

“It’s been difficult for me to find a non-profit that I’m directly in agreement with philosophically and financially. That non-profit is Powering Potential. I’ve read countless emails from students (and teachers) who have benefitted from PPI and have gone on to higher learning.” - Jim

Old Challenge, New Solutions

In 2016 Powering Potential shipped equipment to Tanzania that got stuck in customs. After a few years of dedicated effort, Janice Lathen and various Tanzanian ambassadors were unsuccessful in securing the release of the equipment. This will no longer be a problem because now our Tanzanian partner, the Potential Enhancement Foundation, purchases the equipment in-country.

Googlers Give

For the second year in a row, Powering Potential has been sponsored by Prem Pandian, Head of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships during Google Giving Week, to receive donations from Google employees. Through his support and this initiative, $1,125 was raised for students in Tanzania. Thank you, Prem, for being such a great supporter of our work!

Is Your Name on our Contributors Page?

We want to take this time to acknowledge all of Powering Potential’s donors. Please help us make sure that your name is listed on our Contributors page. If your name is not listed, please email us at development@poweringpotential.org and let us know that we have your permission to add your name to the list.

We Are $10,500 Short of Our Goal!

In order to impact more students across Tanzania, we are relying upon your generosity. As the New Year approaches, please consider contributing to PPI and help us reach our $25,000 end-of-year goal.

⚡ POWER THE POTENTIAL BY MAKING A DONATION TODAY ⚡

From left to right: Jim Allen, Matthew Cohen, Janice Lathen, and Greg Obenshain