A quiet digital revolution is reshaping education across Hai District in Kilimanjaro Region, where classrooms that once relied solely on chalkboards and textbooks are now home to modern computer labs.
The transformation is driven by the One Computer Lab, One School initiative by the Tanzania Enlightenment Development Innovations (TEDI), which is equipping schools with digital tools and bridging the gap between traditional education and the demands of the 21st century.
With each lab installed, students gain access to technology that enhances their academic experience while preparing them for a future increasingly shaped by digital skills. One of the latest beneficiaries is Moshi Nkuu Secondary School, where TEDI has established a fully equipped computer lab.
In July 2025, TEDI embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in Nairobi, Kenya – the launch of the Youth Eco-Resilience Project (Y.E.R.), funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ VIRT-EXCH program. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary cross-continental partnership between young leaders from Africa and Europe, united to address climate-induced challenges through education, advocacy, and community action.
Forging International Partnerships for Climate Justice
The journey to Nairobi represented more than geographical movement, it symbolized the bridging of continents, cultures, and shared aspirations. As we boarded our flight from Tanzania on July 6th, our team carried not just materials for workshops, but a collective vision for empowering youth as agents of environmental change.
The Youth Eco-Resilience Project brings together young innovators from eight nations: Greece, Italy, Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, Sweden, Germany, and Tanzania. This diverse coalition reflects our belief that climate solutions must be as interconnected as the challenges we face.
“When young people from different continents unite around a common purpose, we don’t just share ideas we create a new paradigm for global climate action.”— Jackline M., Y.E.R.Deligate
Capacity Building for the Climate Generation
Over seven intensive days, participants engaged in:
Leadership development workshops focused on climate advocacy
Skills training in project management and digital communication
Community mapping exercises for climate vulnerability assessment
Design thinking sessions for local solution development
Kibera YMCA: Grounding Theory in Reality
Our field visit to the Kibera YMCA Educational Centre provided profound context for our discussions. Meeting students who navigate environmental challenges daily reinforced the urgency of our mission. The exchange highlighted:
The critical need for localized climate education
Innovative waste management solutions emerging from informal settlements
The resilience of youth in climate vulnerable communities
Tangible Outcomes and Future Roadmap
The Nairobi convening produced concrete deliverables that will shape our collective work:
A shared digital platform for ongoing collaboration
Six-month action plans for each participating country
Training modules for climate leadership development
Cross-border mentorship pairings
“This project isn’t about creating temporary enthusiasm we’re building sustainable structures for youth-led climate action that will outlast our individual involvement.” — David K., Kenyan Delegate
The Path Forward
In the coming months, TEDI will focus on:
Implementing community-based training programs in Tanzania
Developing digital resources for climate education
Establishing partnerships with local environmental organizations
Preparing for the next Y.E.R. gathering in Europe
This Nairobi experience has fundamentally transformed our approach to youth empowerment and climate action. The connections made, lessons learned, and commitments established will resonate through our work for years to come.
The Hai District Commissioner, Lazaro Jacob, has praised the partnership between Tanzania Enlightenment Development Innovations (TEDI) and Drexel University for establishing a new computer lab at Saashisha Secondary School, advancing digital literacy for students and teachers.
At the 2023 World Youth Development Forum, the “One Computer Lab One School” project initiated by Tanzania Enlightenment Development Innovations (TEDI) was selected as one of the first 100 Excellence Actions under the Action Plan for Global Youth Development.
In August 2024, TEDI was honoured to be invited to the World Youth Development Forum in Beijing. Executive Director Gloria Anderson delivered a keynote at the forum’s opening ceremony, sharing insights about the One Computer Lab, One School project and its impact on youth in Tanzania. The forum, which opened on International Youth Day (12 August 2024) gathered more than 2000 youth leaders and policymakers from over 130 countries.
“Being given a platform to speak about our work and its impact was humbling,” Anderson wrote in her personal reflection. She thanked the All‑China Youth Federation and the forum committee for the opportunity, and expressed gratitude to supporters and partners who have rallied behind TEDI. Anderson emphasised that the vision of equipping youth with digital skills will continue to take shape, stating, “The world is waiting for the youth from under‑privileged communities in Tanzania to reveal their hidden treasures!”
Tanzania Enlightenment Development Innovations (TEDI) has announced a new board of directors, ushering in a fresh era of leadership and strategic direction. The organisation expressed gratitude to the outgoing board for laying a strong foundation over the past three years.
The new board is chaired by Dr Darlene Mutalemwa, Acting Head of the Department of Short Courses, Research and Consultancy at Mzumbe University’s Dar‑es‑Salaam campus. Dr Mutalemwa brings extensive expertise in development studies and SME consultancy. Johnpaul Thadei Mwakilasa, Co‑founder and Director of Ark Associates, joins the board with a decade of legal and tax‑consultancy experience. Mbwaike Percival Mahyenga, Portfolio & Investment Lead at the United Nations Capital Development Fund, adds more than 12 years of corporate and institutional banking insight. Ahaji Schreffler, Senior Director of Education Abroad at Drexel University, offers two decades of experience in international education. Prudence Masako, Country Director of CARE Tanzania, contributes 19 years of leadership, donor‑relations and project‑management expertise.
“Together, this dynamic team will guide TEDI in achieving our strategic goals, fostering innovation and creating impactful change,” said Executive Director Gloria Anderson. She thanked partners and stakeholders who have supported TEDI since operations began in 2021 and emphasised that the future is bright for youth empowerment in Tanzania.
Discover how TEDI, in collaboration with Drexel University and ICA, is bridging the digital divide in Tanzania by equipping schools with computer labs and digital literacy programs. This partnership is transforming education by providing students and teachers with 21st-century skills, ensuring they are prepared for the future.
Meringeni Secondary School in Old Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region has inaugurated a computer laboratory as part of TEDI Tanzania’s One Computer Lab One School Program. During the launch, Moshi District Commissioner Kisare Makori said the government’s education policy aims to ensure that all secondary‑school graduates are digitally literate. He stressed that digital literacy is crucial for individual, community and national development and commended TEDI for its role in improving computer education in secondary schools. Makori also thanked students from Drexel University for their contribution to the project.
TEDI Executive Director, Gloria Anderson, explained that the project builds computer labs in government schools and equips students and teachers with digital literacy skills. To ensure sustainability, she noted that the new lab, equipped with 14 computers, will serve as a resource centre for other schools.
Representing the Drexel University delegation, Senior Director of Education Abroad Ahaji Schreffler said the lab would connect Meringeni students with the world and encourage them to use the opportunity to enhance their talents and education. The launch demonstrates continued collaboration between local authorities, international partners and TEDI to expand digital education in Tanzania.
Tanzania Enlightenment Development Innovations (TEDI) officially handed over a computer laboratory to Naisinyai Secondary School in Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, as part of its One Computer Lab One School Program. The initiative aims to integrate ICT into teaching in low‑resource public schools and prepare young people for the digital economy.
Simanjiro District Commissioner Dr Suleman Serera thanked TEDI, noting that the lab will equip students with training in digital skills, computer use, curriculum subjects, electronic textbooks, information about ICT opportunities and leadership skills. The project helps bridge socio‑economic divides highlighted by the Covid‑19 pandemic, which left many students without devices or digital skills. TEDI Executive Director Gloria Anderson expressed gratitude to the U.S. government’s Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme and the district authorities for supporting the project. She urged more partners to join TEDI in modernising education, emphasising that Africa’s workforce will be the world’s largest by 2035 and that investing in young people’s education is critical. By investing in digital infrastructure and human capital, countries can prepare youth for the digital economy and future of work.
On 5th March 2020, in partnership with the University of Dar es Salaam and Graduate Sales Boot Camp over 150 women and University students who are in food business or who aspire to invest in Food Business in the future were able to be equipped with skills on how to be successful in Food related business by Rachel Greenberger – The Founder and Director at Food Sol and lecturer of Food Entrepreneurship, Babson College USA.
TEDI was nominated to participate in the Africa Evidence Week a virtual event driven by African evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) organisations showcasing their excellence in supporting evidence-use. In which over 34 organisations from 14 countries in Africa participated. TEDI had organised a dialogue which involved youths, students , researchers and policy makers who participated in the dialogue titled – ”The role of Evidence Informed Decision Making in Africa – How can the Sustainable Development Goals be achieved?”
