Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wiki loves Africa 2024 in Kilimanjaro (ID: 22395371)/Final Report
Report Status: Under review
Due date: 2024-06-30T00:00:00Z
Funding program: Rapid Fund
Report type: Final
This is an automatically generated Meta-Wiki page. The page was copied from Fluxx, the grantmaking web service of Wikimedia Foundation where the user has submitted their midpoint report. Please do not make any changes to this page because all changes will be removed after the next update. Use the discussion page for your feedback. The page was created by CR-FluxxBot.General information[edit]
- Applicant username: Justine Msechu
- Organization name: N/A
- Amount awarded: 3500
- Amount spent: 3494.1 USD, 8144793.72
Part 1: Project and impact[edit]
1. Describe the implemented activities and results achieved. Additionally, share which approaches were most effective in supporting you to achieve the results. (required)
Promoting Photographic Contributions to Wikipedia: We're pleased to report on a successful project designed to raise awareness about a photo contribution competition and equip participants with the skills to contribute to Wikipedia. Through targeted activities, we aimed to empower individuals to share their photographic talents and enrich Wikipedia's visual content.
Phase 1: Capturing Attention
To generate widespread interest, we created eye-catching posters that were strategically placed in high-traffic areas. We further amplified our reach by leveraging social media platforms and email lists to disseminate competition details. This multi-pronged approach proved highly effective, attracting a significant number of participants. Notably, 26 participants signed up for the workshop directly after seeing our social media posts, demonstrating the power of social media outreach in generating engagement. (See sample social media post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5at4AfIJqO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Phase 2: Cultivating Skills
We organized comprehensive workshops that offered a unique blend of practical and theoretical knowledge. The workshops comprised two key components:
Photowalk: This engaging outdoor activity provided participants with hands-on experience in applying photography techniques relevant to the competition and Wikipedia's visual requirements. Wikicommons Training Session: This session equipped participants with the necessary skills to upload and contribute their photos to Wikimedia Commons, the image repository that fuels Wikipedia's vast visual collection. The Photowalk emerged as a valuable tool. Participants honed their photography skills in a real-world setting, resulting in a collection of high-quality photos that are perfectly suited for enriching Wikipedia articles. For a detailed breakdown of workshop participation and outcomes, please refer to: https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/campaigns/wikimedia_community_kilimanjaro_20242025/programs
Phase 3: Empowering Contribution
Following the workshops, we held dedicated sessions to delve deeper into the intricacies of contributing photos to Wikipedia articles. These sessions covered crucial topics such as selecting appropriate photos, adhering to Wikipedia's image quality and licensing standards, and navigating the upload process on Wikimedia Commons.
The education sessions played a crucial role in empowering participants to contribute photos to Wikipedia articles. This is evidenced by the significant increase in submissions following the sessions. The positive impact is further amplified by the enthusiastic testimonials from participants, who shared their newly acquired knowledge and experiences through social media platforms. (See participant testimonial: https://www.instagram.com/p/C6yU7pMoJlA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Conclusion
This project successfully achieved its goals of raising awareness about the photo contribution competition and equipping participants with the skills to contribute to Wikipedia. By implementing a strategic combination of social media outreach, interactive workshops, and in-depth education sessions, we empowered individuals to become active contributors to Wikipedia's visual landscape. We are confident that this project's outcomes will have a lasting impact, enriching Wikipedia with a wealth of valuable photos for years to come.
2. Documentation of your impact. Please use space below to share links that help tell your story, impact, and evaluation. (required)
Share links to:
- Project page on Meta-Wiki or any other Wikimedia project
- Dashboards and tools that you used to track contributions
- Some photos or videos from your event. Remember to share access.
You can also share links to:
- Important social media posts
- Surveys and their results
- Infographics and sound files
- Examples of content edited on Wikimedia projects
social media (https://www.instagram.com/p/C6yU7pMoJlA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/p/C6oC628oa28/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6f1djRo5B-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)
Dashboard (https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/campaigns/wikimedia_community_kilimanjaro_20242025/programs)
Additionally, share the materials and resources that you used in the implementation of your project. (required)
For example:
- Training materials and guides
- Presentations and slides
- Work processes and plans
- Any other materials your team has created or adapted and can be shared with others
The sessions were led by Iddy Ninga, Administrator of Swahili Wikipedia, who utilized the outreach dashboard as a teaching tool to effectively guide participants through the processes of contributing photos and content to Wikipedia.(https://outreachdashboard.wmflabs.org/training/editing-wikipedia/images-and-media)
3. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with this Rapid Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals. Required. Select one option per question. (required)
| A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups | Neither agree nor disagree |
| B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community | Strongly agree |
| C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups | Strongly agree |
| D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives | Strongly agree |
| E. Encourage the retention of editors | Strongly agree |
| F. Encourage the retention of organizers | Strongly agree |
| G. Increased participants' feelings of belonging and connection to the movement | Strongly agree |
| F. Other (optional) |
Part 2: Learning[edit]
4. In your application, you outlined some learning questions. What did you learn from these learning questions when you implemented your project? How do you hope to use this learnings in the future? You can recall these learning questions below. (required)
You can recall these learning questions below: . "What are the most effective methods for recruiting and motivating volunteers who are passionate about photography and Wikimedia projects, and how can their skills and enthusiasm be leveraged for the benefit of the community?" 2. "How can the project effectively balance the preservation of traditional African culture and heritage with the promotion of innovation and creativity in the 'Africa Create' theme?" 3. "What are the key challenges and opportunities in organizing and conducting successful photo walks in diverse areas within the Kilimanjaro region, and how can they best capture the richness of local life and natural beauty?" 4. "What are the most impactful ways to ensure that the media content captured during the project is accurately documented, categorized, and shared on Wikimedia platforms to enhance access to information about African culture and history?" 5. "How can the project measure and assess the impact of increased digital literacy within the community, and what strategies can be employed to encourage continuous learning and collaboration among community members?"
Our project incorporated several learning questions to guide our approach and maximize its impact. Here's a breakdown of what we learned and how these insights will benefit future endeavors:
1. Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement:
Learning: Social media proved to be a powerful tool for attracting participants, particularly those already engaged with photography. Future Application: We will continue to leverage social media platforms tailored to our target audience. Additionally, exploring partnerships with photography clubs or local organizations could further expand our reach and attract passionate volunteers. 2. Balancing Tradition and Innovation:
Learning: The Photowalk provided a platform for participants to capture both traditional cultural practices and innovative expressions within the "Africa Create" theme. Future Application: We will consider incorporating thematic prompts or discussions during Photowalks to encourage participants to explore the intersection of tradition and innovation within their photography. 3. Conducting Successful Photowalks in Diverse Areas:
Learning: Challenges included diverse landscapes and varying accessibility within the Kilimanjaro region. However, the Photowalk format allowed for flexibility and exploration, ultimately capturing the richness of local life and natural beauty. Future Application: Incorporating pre-walk research on specific locations will allow for better planning and ensure Photowalks cater to the unique characteristics of each area. Partnering with local guides can also provide valuable insights and ensure cultural sensitivity. 4. Accurate Documentation and Sharing of Media Content:
Learning: The education sessions were critical in equipping participants with the skills to properly document, categorize, and share their photos on Wikimedia platforms. Future Application: We will continue to prioritize education sessions, potentially offering them in multiple formats (online/offline) to cater to different learning styles. Additionally, exploring partnerships with experienced Wikimedians could provide ongoing support and guidance for participants. 5. Measuring Digital Literacy Impact and Encouraging Collaboration:
Learning: While directly measuring digital literacy is complex, the increase in photo submissions following the education sessions suggests a positive impact. Tracking participant uploads to Wikimedia platforms can provide further insights. Future Application: We will explore creating online communities or forums where participants can share their experiences, ask questions, and collaborate on future projects. This fosters a sense of community and encourages continuous learning.
5. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities? This can include both positive and negative situations. What did you learn from those experiences? (required)
Positive Surprise: Enthusiasm Beyond Photography
The Situation: We anticipated attracting primarily photography enthusiasts. However, the project drew a wider audience, including individuals passionate about sharing local culture and history through storytelling and imagery. Learning: This broadened our perspective on the "Africa Create" theme. In future projects, we will consider incorporating opportunities for storytelling alongside photography to cater to a more diverse range of interests. Unexpected Benefit: Intergenerational Learning
The Situation: We observed a natural exchange of knowledge during the workshops. Younger participants adept at technology shared their skills with older participants who possessed a wealth of cultural knowledge. Learning: This intergenerational exchange was an enriching and unexpected outcome. In future projects, we will explore ways to intentionally facilitate such interactions, potentially through mentorship programs or team-based activities.
6. What is your plan to share your project learnings and results with other community members? If you have already done it, describe how. (required)
We actively used our social media platforms to share real-time updates, highlights, and key learnings from the campaign. This included sharing participant success stories, content milestones, and community engagement efforts
Part 3: Metrics[edit]
7. Wikimedia Metrics results. (required)
In your application, you set some Wikimedia targets in numbers (Wikimedia metrics). In this section, you will describe the achieved results and provide links to the tools used.
| Target | Results | Comments and tools used | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 35 | 26 | |
| Number of editors | 30 | 26 | |
| Number of organizers | 3 | 3 |
| Wikimedia project | Target | Result - Number of created pages | Result - Number of improved pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 100 | ||
| Wikimedia Commons | 200 | 246 | 395 |
| Wikidata | |||
| Wiktionary | |||
| Wikisource | |||
| Wikimedia Incubator | |||
| Translatewiki | |||
| MediaWiki | |||
| Wikiquote | |||
| Wikivoyage | |||
| Wikibooks | |||
| Wikiversity | |||
| Wikinews | |||
| Wikispecies | |||
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
8. Other Metrics results.
In your proposal, you could also set Other Metrics targets. Please describe the achieved results and provide links to the tools used if you set Other Metrics in your application.
| Other Metrics name | Metrics Description | Target | Result | Tools and comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9. Did you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results? (required)
No
9.1. Please state what difficulties you had. How do you hope to overcome these challenges in the future? Do you have any recommendations for the Foundation to support you in addressing these challenges? (required)
Part 4: Financial reporting[edit]
10. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency. (required)
8144793.72
11. Please state the total amount spent in US dollars. (required)
3494.1
12. Report the funds spent in the currency of your fund. (required)
Provide the link to the financial report https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ohE8uaJFcjA0hBp2miyucYUwewcjFgA7PiJuA9XOLT8/edit?gid=295197931#gid=295197931
12.2. If you have not already done so in your financial spending report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal. (optional)
13. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?
No
13.1. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.
N/A
13.2. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?
N/A
13.3. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.
N/A
14.1. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?
Yes Your response to the review feedback. 14.2. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?
Yes
14.3. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.
Yes
15. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here. (optional)
Review notes[edit]
Review notes from Program Officer:
N/A
Applicant's response to the review feedback.
N/A