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Update from the CSS’s [2015-03-27]

Right before we left the Philippines, thirteen new Computer Student Specialists (CSS’s) were identified at Compostela National High School (CNHS) and Compostela Night High School.  A CSS is a student with an interest in computers and a willingness to serve others at the school by helping the IT teachers with various tasks.  Jade and Jillian, key members of Reneal IEO Team Philippines, were part of the original CSS group at CNHS, so this is a program that we are excited to support!

Follow-up [2015-03-22]

Our time overseas is always limited, and invariably we end up identifying tasks that we just don’t have time to complete while we’re there.  So now that we’ve been back home a couple of weeks, we are busy following up on various tasks from our time in the Philippines. 

By the numbers: Philippines 2015 [2015-03-15]

As Neal and I neared the end of the 2015 Philippines projects, we prepared a letter for the Cebu Province Division and Mandaue City Division Superintendents to summarize the Reneal IEO effort for this year.  I’ll include it below.  The Reneal IEO system was installed in six new schools in 2015, and additional computers were added to four of the 2014 schools.  The total estimated value of the donated equipment, purchased equipment, and equipment shipping was $19,097.  Thanks to our generous donors for making this possible!  Thanks also to Aboitizland (in the Philippines) and three United States companies for their donations of used computer equipment; thanks to them, Reneal IEO was able to donate 87 computers.

School 6 [2015-03-10]

We’re back in America now, trying to sort through action items we brought with us from Cebu as well as deal with the usual return-to-America tasks and readjustment.  Before I settle into recap mode though, I want to give a quick report on our final week in the Philippines.

DONE! [2015-02-28]

The 2015 project plan for the Philippines is officially completed!  Jade and Jillian returned yesterday from Kawit National High School in Medellin, located in northern Cebu.  They installed the Reneal IEO system including sixteen laptops donated by a company in America.  Kawit NHS was badly damaged by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, so it is especially thrilling to extend our work there!  In addition the principal and IT teacher at Kawit NHS have been very eager to use the system, so we are very thankful for the work that Jade and Jillian did over the last four days to install the system and train the teachers.  Just as we did at Daanbantayan NHS last year, they stayed at the school since it is too far for a daily commute from Compostela.  And just like last year, it sounded like lots of fun in addition to the hard work!

Winding down [2015-02-21]

It happens every time we are working overseas – things are clicking along, we are immersed in our long task lists, and then suddenly we realize that time is running out again.  No matter how long we stay, it is always with a sense of surprise, panic, and sadness that the days suddenly appear so limited.  It seems especially so this trip as we’ve also been dealing with side effects from Neal’s new medication.  While it is always nice to get home, saying goodbye to friends and projects old and new is always difficult. Thankfully we plan to be back in Cebu for two more months starting in mid-May, so that is a comforting thought as we begin to wind down our work here.

Three-in-1 [2015-02-14]

One of the popular drinks here in the Philippines is Nescafe Three-in-1©.  It’s a delicious combination of coffee, creamer, and sugar, and it’s the way I always start my mornings when we’re here in Cebu.  This week was also a “Three-in-1” for Reneal IEO: system installation at Arcelo Memorial National High School in Liloan, a workshop for all teachers at Compostela National High School by Reneal IEO Board Member Sharon Fingold on creating a “meander book”, and a training for science teachers conducted by former Reneal IEO Board member Antonio Martinez on the new science equipment donated by NSTIC (also at Compostela National High School).  It was so exciting to see each of these unfold as the week went by!

Powered by Jolibee [2015-02-07]

There are so many rewards for us in our Reneal IEO work.  Being in the schools, meeting the school heads and IT teachers, working with the teachers during training, and dreaming about the computers being used by the students for learning – these all leave us happy and fulfilled.  However one other very common kindness we experience are the snacks and meals provided to Team Philippines as we work at the schools.  Schools are so generous in their hospitality, and we are truly grateful for the warm welcome.  We encountered the same spirit this week as we installed the Reneal IEO system at Jagobiao National High School in Mandaue City.

Patience and flexibility [2015-01-26]

Reneal IEO grew out of our time in the U.S. Peace Corps, where we were assigned to the community that has now become our second home, Compostela on the island of Cebu.  We have come to love this place and the work we do here, but along the way we also discovered that it is always good to keep in mind the Peace Corps mantra of “patience and flexibility”.  And so this last week, we have found that advice apropos yet again.

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