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What it’s all about [2014-09-27]

It’s been a blizzard of box-packing this last week.  Ten more boxes of donated computer equipment departed for the Philippines on Tuesday, joining 10 others shipped in the previous few weeks.  We have just about completing our prepositioning for the 2015 projects in Cebu!  And now eight more boxes are neatly stacked for Monday’s departure for Tanzania, along with a growing pile of personal gear (not so neatly stacked…) that will be packed tomorrow.  Yes, at last we are on the brink of beginning the long-planned 2014 Tanzania projects! 

Getting to this point involved a long but vital process.  Last September David, one of our key contacts in Arusha (in the center of the photo), facilitated site visits to evaluate several schools.  We ultimately selected three schools for implementation of the low-cost computer system in 2014: Mwandet Secondary School and Ilkiding’a Secondary School (both near the city of Arusha) and Paroma Primary School in Musoma.  At that point, the plan was just a gleam in the corporate eye – exciting but unresourced.  We were thrilled to receive a pivotal donation of laptops in late 2013 as well as monetary donations to make this dream reality starting Monday. 

One key difference from our work in the Philippines is that most computer labs in Tanzania are starting absolutely from scratch.  It is challenging – but also incredibly exciting – to bring something completely new to the students and teachers at these schools.  Conditions are difficult for teaching and learning, and the Reneal IEO system can really open new doors for these kids.  There will not be internet at the schools, but much is already stored on the server for ready use: thousands of Khan Academy videos in both English and Kiswahili, downloaded files in different subject areas, and the RACHEL set of educational resources.  Not only will students now be able to learn hands-on computer skills, their world will be opened up by a wealth of information in many other subject areas!

Here is our rough schedule for the coming weeks:

September 29: Depart San Francisco (2 p.m.)

September 30: Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania (7:45 p.m.)

October 1: Purchase remaining equipment in Arusha

October 2: Visit Mwandet SS and Ilkiding'a SS to check status in preparation for installation

October 3: Visit Mukulat SS and Mlangarini SS (2013 projects)

October 5: Begin travel to Musoma

October 6-7: Possible Serengeti National Park visit

October 8-14: INSTALLATION AND TRAINING at Paroma Primary School, visit Paroma SS (2013 project)

October 15: Return to Arusha

October 16-22: INSTALLATION AND TRAINING at Mwandet SS

October 23-29: INSTALLATION AND TRAINING at Ilkiding'a SS

October 30-31: School evaluation visits for possible 2015 projects

November 3-4: Return to Mwandet SS and Ilkiding'a SS for follow-up

November 5-6: Return to Mukulat SS and Mlangarini SS for follow-up (if needed)

November 7: Depart Arusha (9:50 p.m.)

This is a bit more relaxed than the Tanzania schedules of prior years, but…  there are always surprises!  Wish us luck.  Internet willing, we’ll keep the updates coming as the trip unfolds.