Here is what happened….
I had stayed at my Dad’s place in Scunthorpe Friday night, where I had stored the IT equipment for safe keeping as he had room to spare. Saturday – yesterday – I loaded it all up into the back of my car, ready to bring it home after the football match.
Before the game, I was hoping to meet the club chairman of Scunthorpe United, Mr Peter Swann, to discuss and receive his promised donation. Current fundraising total sits at £1380.00 after another donation yesterday.
Unfortunately, circumcstances meant he was called away at short notice, so wasn’t able to do the presentation yesterday. This is being re-arranged, hopefully for Saturday 31st August.
Having got home in the evening, I unloaded everything from the car and took it to the back room, cleared out to have the goods safely stored.
With help from my son Daniel, we have started to check out every item. Every PC, every keyboard, every mouse, every monitor, every cable and the webcam. I have used some of the funds raised to buy other important cables, and plan to get other accessories as required, such as mouse mats and routers.
I am using our home internet to add useful software, like free internet security and free (Microsoft-compatible) office programmes. Will be looking at other items I might buy if needed too. I will install the same things on each PC, and will be discussing various related issues with the schools concerned, such as power supply, physical safety and computer security, internet access, teacher development and lesson planning for various levels of learners abilities.
Very soon I will be taking all of this equipment, plus the sports kits donated, to the shipping company to box up, then get them all flown out to arrive In Zimbabwe around the same time as I do in late September. The plan is to bring it all to Pakati & have various important guests to witness these imoortant developments for the two schools. I intend to stay at the school for a few days to help in setting things up, plus talking to staff, students, guests and the community. I will produce a full report after my trip but intend to post blogs whenever I am able to.
