Blog

A big loss for Arusha Region [2021-02-15]

It’s been a time of ups and downs since the last blog post.  Reneal Team Tanzania continues to grieve the death of Arusha Region’s Administrative Secretary Richard Kwitega, who was tragically killed in a car accident in early February.  RAS Kwitega was a great friend of education in Arusha Region, and his loss is felt deeply by many.  Reneal’s Team in Tanzania as well as Reneal’s Board were honored to know him and join hands with him in helping Tanzania students learn about technology.  RIP RAS Kwitega.

Thank you Apto Solutions! [2021-01-26]

Reneal’s life-blood is used computers that can have a new life serving students in developing countries.  Right before the holidays, we were thrilled to receive a call from Jeff Jones, the CEO of Apto Solutions.  Apto Solutions (www.aptosolutions.com) is an IT Asset Disposition company based in Atlanta, specializing in extending the life cycle of IT assets and ensuring responsible recycling.  Jeff told us that Apto Solutions was looking for a non-profit with which they could partner to get used computers into the hands of those who need them.  Reneal’s entire Team is ecstatic at this chance to work with Apto Solutions to give these computers new life in public high schools in Tanzania.

Back in Londido District [2021-01-14]

2020 was a big year for Reneal, with expansion into a new district in Arusha Region.  We are very excited to be working now with five schools in Longido District!  We ended 2020 with some unfinished business, so Reneal Team Tanzania has been back on the road to Longido to carry on with the installations.  We are so pleased to welcome Anold Christopher to the Reneal Team.  Anold joined Reneal Technicians Robert Nyangaka and Erick Mneney during the installation work in 2020, and he will be supporting the Longido schools longer term with maintenance and training.

Happy New Year! [2021-01-01]

Happy New Year from Reneal!  It’s always exciting to follow the arrival of the New Year in the Philippines, then Tanzania, and then finally here in the US.  In Tanzania, students finished the school year in early December.  As soon as the school year starts in January, Reneal Team Tanzania will be making their beginning-of-the-year visits to each computer lab to make sure everything is running well.  Reneal’s youngest batch of high school scholars will begin Form 4 in January, their final year at Mwandet Secondary School.  And Reneal’s original group of scholars will be resuming their first year of advanced education in January. 

Looking ahead [2020-12-11]

Reneal’s work began in the Philippines, growing out of its co-founders US Peace Corps assignment on the island of Cebu.  From 2013 to 2018, the number of Reneal computer labs in schools in Cebu grew from one to 34.  During this same period work began slowly, haltingly, in Tanzania.  However, the last three years have brought a dramatic shift in Reneal’s focus.  In 2018, Reneal installed seven new computer labs in the Philippines compared to two in Tanzania.  In 2020 by contrast, eight (and soon nine) new computer labs have been completed in public high schools in Tanzania compared to a single new installation in the Philippines.

2020 project status [2020-11-30]

Reneal Team Tanzania has continued their efforts in installing new computer labs.  All but one of the new labs is completed!  So far, the Team has installed new computer labs in five public high schools in Longido District as well as a new computer lab at Arusha Girls’ School in the city of Arusha.  These both are new territories for Reneal, with our previous years of work focusing on the rural Arusha District surrounding Arusha City. 

Visit with scholars [2020-11-02]

A couple of weeks ago, Reneal Country Director David Nyangaka traveled to Ngorongoro District for business. While he was there, he made a surprise visit to Loliondo Secondary School where two of Reneal’s scholars began their A-level studies in July.  It was a happy reunion with our students Elimaini and Daniel.  They are enjoying their classes so far and doing well.

Over halfway [2020-10-30]

Reneal Team Tanzania and our partners at Habari Node and Arusha Node Marie have been making amazing progress!  Four new Reneal computer labs have already been installed in government schools in Longido District: Longido Secondary School A-Level, Namanga Secondary School, Engarenaibor Secondary School, and Tingatinga Secondary School.  We are very excited to welcome these schools to the Reneal family, and we hope the students and teachers learn a lot with these new resources.

First installation! [2020-10-17]

We are excited to report that the first Reneal computer lab installation in Longido District has been completed!  A-level students at Longido Secondary School now have a computer lab to support their learning.  Professionals from Habari Node, Arusha Node Marie, and our very own Reneal Team Tanzania travelled to Longido for the hard work to install the computers and network cabling.  Reneal Technician Robert Nyangaka returned the following day to begin Super User training and conducted a Teacher Orientation session for some of the faculty members.

Boxes received! [2020-09-28]

The past week has been a rollercoaster, but I’m thrilled to report that the 18 boxes of computer equipment from Reneal arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport early Friday morning and were handed over safely to David Nyangaka, Reneal’s School Liaison in Tanzania.  David and other government officials in Arusha Region worked wonders to make it a seamless process at the receiving end.  This equipment is headed now to seven new schools in Arusha Region!  And it is really exciting to know now that Reneal has another viable means to get equipment to Arusha.

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