Error message

  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementBase::execute($args = [], $options = []) should either be compatible with PDOStatement::execute(?array $params = null): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2244 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::key() should either be compatible with Iterator::key(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::valid() should either be compatible with Iterator::valid(): bool, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).
  • Deprecated function: Return type of DatabaseStatementEmpty::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in require_once() (line 2346 of /home2/renealte/public_html/includes/database/database.inc).

Trip Countdown [2022-10-07]

Just like that, our time here in Tanzania is ending.  It’s amazing how quickly 6 weeks can pass!  But thanks to heroic efforts on the part of Reneal Team Tanzania (Country Director David Nyangaka and Technicians Robert Nyangaka, Erick Mneney, Ashura Hamis, and Patrick Mushi), Neal was able to complete the planned software updates on 57 Reneal servers.  We can’t thank our Team enough for their hard work and dedication!  And we have been so fortunate to meet with many Reneal supporters during our time here, as well as with exciting new potential partners.

Early in the trip we met with Dr. Lillian Badi (Chairperson of the National Council of NGOs and Tanzania Country Director of the NGO World Education) along with former intern Jacqueline Masuka.  World Education operates a myriad of programs in the US and overseas.  We look forward to exploring opportunities to partner with them in their secondary school enrichment programs in the Arusha area.

We reunited with our long-time partners from Habari Node and Arusha Node Marie in their new headquarters in Arusha.  We were delighted to meet Habari Node’s new General Manager Kabaza Runyeta, as well as catch up with long-time colleagues Erik Rowberg and Jane Langoi.  Denis Mamuya, Habari Node intern, has been working side-by-side with Reneal Team Tanzania in our recent installations.  And we finally got to meet Elizabeth Mathias, coordinator of the NGO Arusha Node Marie.  The Reneal/Habari Node/Arusha Node Marie partnership is now 8 years old!

Through a lucky coincidence, Neal and I were in Tanzania at the same time as Dr. Tanya Pergola, the founder of the NGO TerraWatu.  We had a chance to meet with Tanya as well as TerraWatu’s IT coordinator Boris Sululu.  TerraWatu has a wide range of projects in Tanzania, and we are hoping that some new collaboration possibilities can result.

In another bit of serendipity, Neal and I were introduced to Mir Pirbhai, Director of the JR Institute of Information Technology here in Arusha.  JRIIT offers certificate and diploma programs in Computing and IT, Electronics Engineering, and Business Administration.  They have a very strong hands-on focus in technology for their students, along with a long-time goal of providing skill-building training to teachers and students.  Through preliminary meetings, we have identified some opportunities for Reneal to partner with JRIIT to give their students experience through assisting with Reneal maintenance plus working together to train teachers to enhance their computer skills.

During our time here, we continued to meet National, Regional, and District-level officials through Reneal Country Director David Nyangaka.  We are especially grateful for the support of the Arusha Regional Commissioner John Mongella and the Arusha Regional Administrative Secretary Missaile Musa.  It was an unexpected pleasure to be able to meet Erick Kitale, the Director of ICT in the President’s Office for Regional Administration and Local Government.  And finally, we had the chance to connect and reconnect with school heads and computer teachers from various schools supported by Reneal.

Now Neal and I head back home to begin preparations for the 2022 Phase 2 projects.  We are grateful to our generous donors – Apto Solutions, Network the World, ClosingTheDivide, and many individuals – who make Reneal’s work here possible.  As we reflect on this trip, we are reminded of David’s slogan for Reneal’s Team, partners, and friends: “TOGETHER WE CAN.”

 [Photos: Team Celebration with Reneal/Habari Node/Arusha Node Marie; Meeting with PO-RALG ICT Director Erick Kitale and Arusha Regional Commissioner John Mongella]