Error message

  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).

Coding, loading, and goading [2020-01-07]

Not too much new to report since the last blog post.  The Reneal Team continues to prepare for the 2020 work in Arusha: Neal is immersed in software development, I’m packing boxes of equipment, and David is deep in his logistical magic helping the schools prepare and working custom issues.  But we’re all several steps closer to completion, and it’s looking good for a fast start once Neal and I arrive in Arusha.  We are very grateful for David’s efforts on behalf of Reneal.

Neal continues to work various software issues, but the most important software development is complete.  He will no doubt find things he wants to improve, but the system is ready to be fielded.  It is difficult to anticipate all of the things that might go wrong, no matter how much we try to test the system!  I have packed and sealed ten of the expected fifteen boxes of equipment.  Being an analyst at heart, most of my time is spent thinking rather than packing.  Balancing the constraints of volume limits, weight limits, modularity, etc. – and documenting everything clearly – takes some time!  At any rate, the five remaining boxes should come together pretty quickly once Neal releases the equipment from his testing and configuration process.  David has the packing list, so he has been working the customs issues with the help of the Arusha District Council and Arusha Regional Office.

Yesterday was the first day of the new school year in Tanzania, and David met with the six Form 3 (grade 9) Reneal scholars at Mwandet Secondary School.  The annual cost for each of these returning students is about $380, which includes dorm, food, uniforms, school supplies, soap, and a daily allowance of about 25 cents.  We are looking forward to seeing how they do this new school year.  The opportunity to be a boarding student, rather than a day student, is a huge help.  Day students often live far from school, and they face either deep dust or deep mud in their daily trek to school.  Food can be scarce at home as well, so these boarding scholarships can make a world of difference in a student’s academic progress.

The next blog post will probably be from Arusha!

[Photo: Ten boxes of Reneal equipment ready to go]