Thanks A is for Africa! [2019-01-16]
Last August we had the great good fortune to be introduced to Rick Smith from “A is for Africa”, a US non-profit headquartered in Maryland. The introduction was through Arusha District Executive Director Dr. Charles Mahera, and it happened when coincidentally both Rick and members of Reneal’s Board of Directors were in Arusha. Now here we are just a few short months later celebrating completion of a joint project to install a Reneal server in the computer lab at Matim Primary School facilitated by AIFA!
Rick and his wife Mary Anne have a deep connection with Matim Primary School, and it all began when their daughter Molly came to Tanzania as a visitor in 2007 but left as a passionate friend. Check out the AIFA website at www.aisforafrica.org for their history and the list of amazing things they have done together with the teachers at Matim. It is incredibly inspiring and shows yet again what mighty things a small organization with heart can achieve.
During our initial meeting in Arusha in August, Rick told us about the computer lab that AIFA and Matim had created together. And we shared Reneal’s story of our work in Arusha District installing computer labs in secondary schools. In another amazing coincidence, Matim Primary School is just a few steps away from Mukulat Secondary School, a 2013 Reneal computer lab recipient. When we made our routine visit to Mukulat in September, we were able to meet with the teachers at Matim to show them the Reneal server and to check out the Matim computer lab. There was a definite mutual spark of excitement!
Just days after Neal and I returned home from Tanzania in October, we had a phone conference with Rick and Mary Anne. We agreed quickly that putting a Reneal server at Matim could help them reduce the computer maintenance burden and offer many new educational resources to the students at Matim. Mary Anne was planning an early 2019 trip to Tanzania, a perfect opportunity to get the needed equipment there for installation by our dedicated Reneal Team.
Neal built up a server quickly, got the software loaded, and we Fed Ex’d it to Maryland. Mary Anne packed the server into her luggage along with some network switches and RJ45 connectors. In spite of the usual challenge getting through customs, she exited the airport with equipment in hand.
In the meantime, Reneal School Liaison David Nyangaka was working the logistics for installation. He purchased the needed equipment that we obtain locally and arranged transportation for the team and gear. Rick and Mary Anne worked with Madam Edna, Mr. Lang’o, and Madam Neema to prepare everything at Matim. Our partners Habari Node and Arusha Node Marie readily agreed to the installation schedule with their skilled professional support.
And it all came together on January 15th! The Team got the cabling, server, switches, laptops, and other gear installed in the lab. Robert and Evance returned the following day for Super User system administration training and some teacher orientation. The server is now ready to support the teaching and learning at Matim Primary School.
We are so grateful to Rick and Mary Anne Smith of AIFA, School Head Edna Mollel, computer teacher Madam Neema David, and former School Head Mr. Lang’o from Matim Primary School, David and Robert Nyangaka from Reneal, Evance Kessy from Arusha Node Marie, and Jane Langoi, Prosista Andrew, Rocky Ndigonje, Fred Mawenya, and James from Habari Node. We sincerely hope that the students of Matim Primary School can learn and grow even more now in their knowledge and love of technology!
[Photo: The Team, with Matim Primary School, AIFA, Habari Node, Arusha Node Marie, and Reneal