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Gratitude [2014-05-18]

We traveled to Daanbantayan National High School this week to install the Reneal IEO low-cost computer system there.  DNHS sustained severe damage in Typhoon Haiyan, and work is still underway to replace the roof on the main building.  As we look back on our busy time there, we are overwhelmed and humbled by the help and support of so many people that made this work possible. 

The week started with a trip Monday morning to Aboitiz Headquarters in Cebu City, where our good friend Rogie had a donation of six used desktop computers from the Accounting Department waiting for us.  Tuesday morning we traveled to DNHS.  The folks at DNHS kindly provided a vehicle for us to get a massive pile of gear transported from our apartment in Compostela to DNHS.  It is about a two hour drive by private vehicle but 3-4 hours by bus, and it would have been an adventure worth seeing to get six desktops, five laptops, a network switch, two boxes of Ethernet cable, a server computer, a drill, our trusty green bag of tools and what-not, plus our personal gear onto a crowded bus! 

Instead of commuting each day, we opted to stay in Daanbantayan for the week during the installation.  The principal and IT teacher graciously invited us to stay at the school, providing comfortable cots in the IT lab for sleeping and marvelous foods each day cooked by the Technology and Livelihood Education teachers.  We even had beautifully folded cloth napkins each night, set up by one of the very talented teachers!  We joked that we might never leave this ten-star hotel…

The work hours unfolded as they often seem to during an installation – some moments of frustration and angst, but always with a sense of marvel at how quickly things can come together with a top-notch team.  Our intern Jade and Jillian (another former student from Compostela National High School who was one of Neal’s star student computer specialists) did a beautiful job of putting in the requisite Ethernet cable.  They also coaxed some of the older computers into booting from the network – they have definitely become “Computer Whisperers”!  Neal worked his usual magic, spending hours each day in front of the server; the funding for this server was provided by a recent generous donation to Reneal IEO.  We were joined in our work by the IT teacher at DNHS, whose skill was manifested by an immaculate lab with 10+ year old computers still running well.  It all culminated with system testing on Friday; things look good for the start of school on June 2nd!  On Saturday the Reneal IEO team and the wonderful DNHS teachers supporting us shared in a fantastic trip to Malapascua Island to enjoy the white sand beaches and lovely blue sea.  It was a fine end to a great week of work!

DNHS is our last installation in the Philippines for 2014, and as we close out this season of work here we feel deep gratitude for all that has happened.  There are so many stories yet untold of how the work of Reneal IEO has been aided in ways big and small by others in order to bring computers to students and teachers in public schools in the Philippines.  We look forward to beginning the process of planning and preparing for 2015!