Blog

On the road again [2014-05-03]

We had a very productive trip to Northern Cebu on Monday to evaluate schools for implementation of the Reneal IEO low-cost computer infrastructure.  It was a long, eventful day with school visits in Daanbantayan, Medillin, and Bogo City.  Our team traveled to and fro by V-hire van, trike, bus, private car, trike, and eventually back home by bus.  We were graced with assistance from old friends and new.  Through quick action of the Reneal IEO board of directors, we were able to select one more school for installation this year: Daanbantayan National High School.  The other schools we evaluated will be included in our consideration for 2015 projects.

A balancing act [2014-04-26]

Each overseas trip finds us engaged in an interesting balancing act: executing our current plan, visiting and updating past sites, and planning for future projects.  This week we continued our efforts updating our initial project site, Compostela National High School (CNHS).  However we also had two significant meetings this week that helped to lay the foundation for future work here in the Philippines. 

Where it all started [2014-04-12]

For this week and next, we are staying close to home and working at Compostela National High School (CNHS).  We served there from June 2006 to December 2008 as U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers, and it’s where the Reneal IEO low-cost computer infrastructure was conceived and initiated.  Now it’s funny to think back on those days and realize how primitive our computers were, how little we knew then, and how much work was ahead to get where we are today with Reneal IEO!

Endings and beginnings [2014-04-05]

We are right about the halfway point in our time in the Philippines this year.  This week was significant in that we finished up the installation and teacher trainings at the last of the six schools in our original project plan.  It’s been a huge amount of work but with the help and support of so many people here, we have met our initial goals for the 2014 trip.  It was also a week filled with joy as we joined in several graduation and recognition ceremonies marking the end of School Year 2013-2014 here in the Philippines.

Mayhem and destruction [2014-03-29]

Since our last blog post, we’ve had a chance to visit areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) and a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, both of which struck the Philippines in late 2013.  We saw just a tiny slice of the destruction, but the stories we heard brought home to us how devastating these calamities have been for the Philippines.  Nonetheless, the indomitable spirit of the people here continues to shine through in spite of these challenges.

Class time [2014-03-15]

The big event for us this week was system administration training for the IT teachers at the six schools where we are working this year in Cebu.  This is the first opportunity we’ve had to offer such training, and it was a wonderful day.  Fifteen IT teachers participated from the six schools and as usual, there were many others “behind the scenes” helping us to make this day a reality.

Five down… [2014-03-07]

Each day this week found us at a different location to tie up loose ends in the installation of the IT labs as well as to begin making small fixes and enhancements to the software:  Monday at Estaca Elementary, Tuesday at Compostela Central Elementary, Wednesday at Sapak Extension High School, and Thursday at Carmen National High School.  Today (Friday) we ventured to Cebu City to meet with some key Department of Education officials in the Region VII and Cebu Province Division offices.  These visits were spearheaded by our colleague from Aboitiz, and we were joined by the principal at our “home school” of Compostela National High School.  It was a joy to see many familiar faces again at the Dep Ed offices and to meet new, energetic leaders. 

“Hapit na” [2014-03-02]

Another exciting week for Reneal IEO has gone by here in Cebu.  We finished up the teacher trainings at Compostela Central Elementary School this week, along with installation of the server computer and 15 laptops at Estaca Elementary, also here in Compostela.  We have some wiring to tidy up at both elementary schools, plus teacher trainings yet to be done at Estaca.  Completion is tantalizing close for five of the six schools that we have targeted for 2014.  But each day we learn the folly of saying “we are almost done…” (“hapit na” in the local language of Visayan).  Invariably there is some new adventure awaiting us when we think we are nearing completion!

 

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