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Looking back and ahead [2019-12-28]

In a massive blast of activity this past month, Neal has just about completed all of the software development needed for the new MacBook workstation system.  Although I’m surely biased, I will say that it is a beautifully integrated, robust set of capabilities that will make the MacBook lab operation, maintenance, and updating easy.  It was touch and go, but it’s looking like we’ll be ready for full deployment of the MacBook workstation labs when we head to Tanzania next month! 

Reneal School Liaison David Nyangaka and I are well along in our coordination of incoming equipment customs issues, purchase of items in Arusha, and day-to-day schedule for the time in Arusha.  We have arrived at a scheme of divide-and-conquer to give Neal and Reneal technician Robert Nyangaka several days at each of the three schools that will have the new MacBook labs deployed.  Meanwhile, our new assistant technician Erick Mneney and I will visit the other schools for routine maintenance and support.  Installation of the two new 2020 secondary schools will likely occur after Neal and I are back in the US.  Our team of Reneal Team Tanzania, Habari Node, and Arusha Node Marie is a well-oiled machine now doing these installations!

I am poised to start packing equipment this weekend.  I am expecting the load to be about 15 boxes this time: 106 laptops, two servers, three monitors, 8 keyboards, 7 wifi routers, and 82 mice.  I have my usual lists, and lists of lists, to help get everything to its proper destination.  We also have our personal gear to get together, although we’re only staying 5-1/2 weeks this time instead of the usual 8 weeks.  The time will fly by.

Meanwhile, it seems very odd to not be packing for the Philippines.  For several years now we have gone to Cebu in January while traveling to Tanzania in the fall.  However we are very motivated this year to get the MacBooks deployed as soon as possible in the Tanzania school year, hence our trip there in January instead of Cebu.  This also aligns better with the school schedules in both countries.  Our skilled Reneal Team Philippines technicians Lloyd Tuñacao and Ervin Formentera will made the rounds of schools in Cebu in February.  We are very grateful for their motivation, experience, and energy!

Looking back, 2019 was a very fruitful year for Reneal in Tanzania.  We doubled the size of the Reneal scholarship program from 6 boarding students to 12, we hit a milestone of 20 secondary schools in Arusha District with Reneal labs, and we deployed our first two labs for the exclusive use of A-level students.  The number of schools in Arusha District continues to grow though, so we can’t rest on our laurels.  We look forward to being back in Arusha soon with Reneal Team Tanzania to continue our efforts there.

 [Photo: Reneal office in computer lab mode]