Wikimedia Community User Group Rwanda/WikiClubs

Wikimedia Rwanda WikiClubs Initiative

This initiative is a transformative project aimed at fostering a culture of knowledge sharing, digital literacy, and open collaboration among students and youths across Rwanda. At its core, the initiative seeks to establish vibrant, student-led WikiClubs in schools and communities to empower young people to contribute to free and accessible knowledge on platforms like Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and other Wikimedia projects.

These clubs serve as hubs where members learn vital skills such as research, writing, critical thinking, and digital content creation. Through hands-on activities, participants document and share local knowledge, heritage, and culture in underrepresented languages, including Kinyarwanda. This work ensures that Rwanda’s stories and perspectives are available to a global audience.

Why does this matter?

In a world increasingly defined by access to information, the Wikimedia Rwanda WikiClub initiative bridges the digital divide by equipping young Rwandans with the tools to actively participate in the global knowledge ecosystem. It not only enhances digital literacy but also promotes inclusivity, amplifying voices that have historically been left out of the narrative. By supporting local content creation, the initiative fosters pride in Rwandan identity and encourages youth to see themselves as contributors to global knowledge.

Through the WikiClub initiative, Wikimedia Rwanda is not just building digital skills but also nurturing a generation that values knowledge equity, collaboration, and the power of open knowledge to transform communities.

Objectives

To promote information literacy: Equip students with the skills to identify, evaluate, and utilize information effectively.
To enhance critical thinking: Encourage students to analyze information, form their own opinions, and engage in constructive debates.
To broaden knowledge: Provide students with access to a vast and diverse range of information beyond textbooks.
To improve writing skills: Encourage students to write effectively by using Wikipedia as a model for clear and concise language.
To cultivate a culture of lifelong learning: Foster a love of learning and a desire to explore new topics independently.

Established Wiki Clubs

WIKI Club Coordinators

(Robert Rugamba

Liliane Nishimirwe )