Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wikipedia editathon for Tanzanian Schools (ID: 22457368)

statusNot funded

Rapid Fund

Wikipedia editathon for Tanzanian Schools

proposed start date2024-04-01

proposed end date2024-05-01

budget (local currency)11776226 TZS

budget (USD)4700 USD

grant typeIndividual

funding regionSSA

decision fiscal year2023-24

applicant• Husseyn Issa

organization (if applicable)• N/A

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Application Privacy Statement

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 application. 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.

Applicant Details

Main Wikimedia username. (required)

Husseyn Issa

Organization

N/A

If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)

I'm a group leader of an informal Wikimedia group.

Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)

Group Name: Global WikiEducation Initiative

Roles:

1. Kiwix4Schools Program Lead-Tanzania:

The Program Lead oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of the Kiwix4Schools project in Tanzania. Responsibilities include coordinating with technical support, outreach, and other teams to ensure the successful implementation of the offline educational platform.

2. Technical Support:

Responsible for the technical aspects of Kiwix4Schools. Troubleshoot issues, provide technical assistance to users, and collaborate with developers to enhance the functionality of the Kiwix software for educational purposes.

3. Outreach and Community Engagement:

Engaging with local communities, schools, and educational institutions. This involves promoting Kiwix4Schools, organizing awareness campaigns, and fostering partnerships to increase adoption.

4. Educational Content Curation

Content curation ensures that the educational resources available on Kiwix4Schools program are relevant, accurate, and aligned with the curriculum. Subject matter experts contribute expertise in specific areas to enrich the content library.

5. Training Facilitators:

Training facilitators responsible for organizing and conducting training sessions for educators, students, and other users. This includes demonstrating how to effectively use Kiwix for offline access to educational content.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation:

Focusing on assessing the impact of Kiwix4Schools in Tanzanian schools. This involves defining key performance indicators, collecting data, and providing insights for continuous improvement.

7. School Liaison:

The School Liaison Officer serves as a point of contact between Kiwix Tanzania and educational institutions. This role involves building relationships, addressing concerns, and ensuring the smooth integration of Kiwix into the school environment.

8. Communication and Documentation

Documenting the progress, success stories, and challenges of the Kiwix4Schools project. Also managing communication channels, keeping stakeholders informed about developments and encouraging collaboration.

9. Global WikiEducation Initiative Activities Coordination:

Aligning the Kiwix4Schools project with the broader education activities under the Global WikiEducation Initiative. I also ensures synergy between various educational initiatives and contributes to the overall mission of accessible and inclusive education.

Main Proposal

1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.

Wikipedia editathon for Tanzanian Schools

2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.

2024-04-01 - 2024-05-01

4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)

Tanzania

5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)

WikiGap

6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)

Change and Importance (Content Gap) The primary change sought through this proposal is the comprehensive documentation of 570+ schools in Tanzania that currently lack representation on Swahili Wikipedia. By creating articles for each school, the project aims to bring about a positive transformation in the accessibility and availability of information about these educational institutions. The wider change is to empower individuals, students, researchers, and the general public with a valuable resource to learn about Tanzanian schools, their history, and contributions to education.

Challenges: The challenges addressed by this proposal include:

1. Limited Visibility: Many Tanzanian schools, despite their significance, remain invisible on Swahili Wikipedia, hindering access to vital information.

2. Digital Divide:Some schools may lack an online presence, exacerbating the digital divide in knowledge accessibility.

3. Underrepresentation: Local communities may not be adequately represented in the digital sphere, limiting their participation in the creation and dissemination of knowledge.

4. Limited Contributor Awareness: Contributors may not be aware of the gaps in Swahili Wikipedia related to Tanzanian schools, preventing spontaneous creation of articles.

Approaches:

1. Engagement of Experienced Wikipedia Contributors:

Leveraging the expertise of seasoned Swahili Wikipedia editors ensures the quality and accuracy of the articles. Past contributions and experience of editors can be assessed to gauge their ability to create informative articles.

2. Collaboration with School Communities:

Involving local communities ensures accurate representation and encourages ongoing contributions. Successful collaborations with local communities have been demonstrated in previous Wikipedia initiatives. Organizing edit-a-thons encourages collaborative content creation and allows for simultaneous article creation on multiple schools.

3. Capacity Building and Training Programs:

Building the capacity of the Swahili Wikipedia community ensures sustained efforts beyond the project duration. Training events and workshops have proven effective in enhancing contributor skills and knowledge.

4. Utilization of Local Networks:

Tapping into existing local networks enhances community outreach and engagement, previous successful Wikipedia initiatives have utilized local networks for increased impact.

5. Focused Content Creation Campaigns:

Organizing targeted content creation campaigns prioritizes the creation of articles for schools currently lacking representation. Similar campaigns in other language Wikipedias have demonstrated success.

6. Integration with Educational Programs:

Embedding Wikipedia editing into educational programs promotes sustainable contributions and enhances digital literacy. Educational institutions globally have integrated Wikipedia editing into their curricula with positive outcomes,for example in my currently University, the previous semester one of our lecturer gave us an assignment of writing articles and submitting them for coursework assessment.

7. Continuous Monitoring and Feedback Loop:

Regular monitoring ensures the ongoing quality and relevance of school articles, while feedback mechanisms encourage community participation. And thus during this program we will be having a monitoring and feedback scheme once we meet for finalizing the articles quality. Successful Wikipedia projects incorporate continuous monitoring and feedback loops for sustained success.

Innovation: The proposal incorporates a multi-faceted approach, emphasizing not only content creation but also community engagement, education integration, and collaboration. The innovation lies in its holistic strategy, recognizing the importance of both content and contributors in creating a comprehensive and sustainable knowledge ecosystem.

Expected Positive Outcomes:

1. Access to Local Knowledge:Tanzanian students, educators, and communities will have enhanced access to information about local schools.

2. Community Empowerment:Local contributors and some of administrators will be empowered to actively participate in knowledge creation and dissemination.

3. Digital Literacy Enhancement:Integrating Wikipedia editing into educational programs will contribute to enhanced digital literacy.

4. Cultural Representation: Improved representation of Tanzanian schools will contribute to a more inclusive representation of the country's culture and education.

Overall, the proposed initiative seeks to create a positive ripple effect, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing, digital empowerment, and community engagement within the Swahili Wikipedia ecosystem.

7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.

1. Pre-Event Planning Meeting (Day 1- Inperson): Objective:Clearly outline project targets, goals, and methodologies.

Activities:

• Introduce the project's mission, objectives, and importance.
• Define targets: Number of schools to be covered, quality standards for articles.
• Discuss methodologies for gathering information and references.
• Identify potential partners or collaborators.
• Set roles and responsibilities for participants.

2. Two Weeks of Information Gathering and Preparation:

Objective: Participants work individually or collaboratively to gather information and prepare for article creation.

Activities:

• Research and collect information about each school.
• Identify relevant references, citations, and sources.
• Utilize local resources, school records, and community input.
• Share progress, challenges, and questions on a designated online platform(WhatsApp Group).

3. Mid-Point Check-In (Virtual):

Objective: Review progress, address challenges, and provide support.

Activities:

• Participants share updates on the information gathered.
• Discuss challenges and seek input from experienced contributors.
• Address queries and provide additional guidance.
• Reinforce the importance of notability guidelines and quality standards.

4. Finalizing Event (Day 2 Inperson):

Objective: Complete and finalize articles, resolve outstanding issues.

Activities:

• Participants present their work and seek feedback.
• Address any remaining challenges or issues.
• Collaborate to improve article quality.
• Discuss proper formatting, referencing, and categorization.
• Celebrate achievements and contributions.

5. Post-Event Follow-Up and Review:

Objective: Evaluate the success of the edit-a-thon, gather feedback, and plan for future initiatives.

Activities:

• Review the quality of articles created.
• Collect feedback from participants and the broader community.
• Identify areas for improvement and lessons learned.
• Recognize and appreciate contributors.
• Discuss possibilities for ongoing collaboration and projects.

Public Page for the Project: Global WikiEducation Initiative = [1]

Partnerships: Potential partners may include:

• Local educational institutions for access to school records and additional information.
• Community organizations for collaboration and community engagement.
• Swahili Wikipedia community members and administrators for guidance and support.

Rationale for Activities:

• Pre-Event Planning Meeting: Sets a clear direction, establishes goals, and ensures participants are aligned with the project's mission.
• Two Weeks of Information Gathering: Allows for flexibility and accommodates contributors' schedules, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach.
• Mid-Point Check-In: Ensures ongoing support, addresses challenges promptly, and maintains a sense of community among participants.
• Finalizing Event: Provides a structured platform for completing articles, resolving issues, and celebrating achievements collaboratively.
• Post-Event Follow-Up and Review: Facilitates continuous improvement, community engagement, and the potential for future initiatives based on lessons learned.

8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.

Team Members:

1. Program Leader

  - Name: Hussein Issa
  - Wikimedia Username: Husseyn Issa (Swahili wikipedia Administrator)
  - Duties: Oversees the entire project, including planning, coordination, and communication with stakeholders. (Volunteer)

2. Educational Content Curator:

  - Name: Iddi Ninga
  - Role: Educational Content Curator
  - Wikimedia Username: Idd ninja (Swahili wikipedia Administrator)
  - Duties: Ensures the quality and relevance of educational content, adhering to Wikimedia standards. (Volunteer)

3. Outreach and Community Engagement Coordinator:

  - Name: Pellagia Njau
  - Wikimedia Username: Pellagia Njau
  - Duties: Coordinates outreach activities, engages with the community, and fosters partnerships for the project. (Volunteer)

4. Technical Support Specialist:

  - Name: Johnson Massawe
  - Wikimedia Username: Jonny Frosty
  - Duties: Provides technical assistance related to the WikiEdit-a-thon platform and addresses any technical issues during the event. (Volunteer)

Details:

• The team consists of dedicated volunteers passionate about contributing to Swahili Wikipedia and promoting education in Tanzania.
• All team members have experience in editing Wikipedia and are familiar with Wikimedia projects.
• The team is motivated to address the lack of representation of Tanzanian schools on Swahili Wikipedia and believes in the impact of the WikiEdit-a-thon.
• No team members are salaried or hired for this specific project; all contributions are voluntary.

9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)

Target Participants: The primary target participants are members of the Swahili Wikipedia community, specifically those with a focus on content creation and education. This includes experienced editors, administrators, and contributors who have an interest in improving the representation of Tanzanian schools on Swahili Wikipedia. Engagement Before Activities:

1. Community Announcements:

  - Utilize community forums, talk pages, and mailing lists to announce the WikiEdit-a-thon, explaining its objectives, importance, and the need for contributions.
  - Highlight the impact on the representation of Tanzanian schools and the broader goal of enhancing educational content on Swahili Wikipedia.

2. Information Sessions:

  - Conduct online information sessions to provide detailed insights into the project, its goals, and the step-by-step process of contributing.
  - Address queries, concerns, and provide clarifications to ensure participants are well-informed.

3. Partnership Building:

  - Collaborate with existing Swahili Wikipedia projects, WikiProjects, and user groups to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility.
  - Seek endorsements from community leaders and influencers to enhance project credibility.

Engagement During Activities:

1. Regular Updates:

  - Maintain a dedicated communication channel (e.g., a project talk page or virtual meeting platform) for real-time updates, progress reports, and general communication.
  - Share success stories, milestones, and encourage a sense of community achievement.

2. Virtual Meetings:

  - Schedule virtual meetings to facilitate discussions, answer questions, and address any challenges participants may face.
  - Create an open and collaborative environment to enhance community engagement.

3. Collaborative Platforms:

  - Utilize collaborative online platforms (e.g.Google Workspace) to streamline information sharing, resource pooling, and collaboration among participants.
  - Encourage participants to work together on articles, share reference materials, and provide mutual support.

Follow-Up After Activities:

1. Post-Event Evaluation:

 - Conduct a post-event evaluation session to review the overall success of the WikiEdit-a-thon.
  - Gather feedback from participants regarding their experiences, challenges faced, and suggestions for improvement.

2. Recognition and Appreciation:

  - Acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of participants through public announcements, certificates, or virtual badges.
  - Highlight individual and collective achievements to reinforce a sense of pride and community.
     - We will also use tools like Wikimedia Outreachdashboard Platform to observe and recognize individual’s contribution.

3. Community Surveys:

  - Distribute surveys to gather insights into the impact of the WikiEdit-a-thon on participants' perspectives and engagement within the Swahili Wikipedia community.
  - Use survey data to inform future initiatives and improvements.

4. Future Collaboration Opportunities:

  - Discuss potential future collaborations and projects within the Swahili Wikipedia community.
  - Encourage ongoing contributions and engagement beyond the WikiEdit-a-thon.

Community Outreach and Inclusivity: We will ensure that communication and engagement strategies consider the diversity of the Swahili Wikipedia community, welcoming contributors from various backgrounds and experiences. Address language preferences, time zone differences, and accessibility requirements to foster inclusivity.

10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)

No

10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.

N/A

11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.

Community Discussion and Approval:

1. Partner Discussion - Pellagia Njau (Kiwix4schools Tanzania):

• Engaged in discussions with Pellagia Njau, a partner leading Kiwix4schools in Tanzania.
• Shared the concept of the Tanzanian Schools WikiEdit-a-thon and its alignment with Kiwix4schools' goals.
• Received a positive response and support, confirming the synergy between the two initiatives.
• Obtained a positive response and support for the WikiEdit-a-thon as a complementary initiative to enhance educational content on Swahili Wikipedia.

2. Administrator Discussion - Idd Ninga (Swahili Wikipedia Administrator):

• Engaged in conversations with Idd Ninga, a Swahili Wikipedia administrator.
• Discussed the WikiEdit-a-thon proposal, its objectives, and potential contributions from the Swahili Wikipedia community.
• Obtained agreement and endorsement from Idd Ninga, indicating the project's relevance to Wikipedia's content enrichment.

3. Evidence of Lack of Articles - Discussion and Proof:

• Referenced the page [Orodha ya shule nchini Tanzania](https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orodha_ya_shule_nchini_Tanzania) on Swahili Wikipedia.
• The page, authored by experienced editor Muddyb (a Swahili administrator), provided evidence of the current gaps in articles about Tanzanian schools, emphasizing the need for the proposed WikiEdit-a-thon.

Summary:

The project idea was discussed and shared with key stakeholders, including the Kiwix4schools partner and a Swahili Wikipedia administrator. Evidence of Wikipedia content gaps was presented through the examination of existing pages.The project was positioned as a collaborative effort, aligning with existing initiatives to enhance its impact within the Swahili Wikipedia community.

12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Other Important Topics (topics considered to be of impact or important in the specific context)

13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)

Education

14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)

Geographic

15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)

Identify Topics for Impact

Learning and metrics

17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)

1. Content Impact:

• Question: How does active community participation in the WikiEdit-a-thon contribute to the improvement of Tanzanian schools' articles on Swahili Wikipedia?

  - Objective: Assess the qualitative and quantitative improvements in the coverage and quality of educational content.

2. Community Engagement:

  - Question: What strategies effectively engage Swahili Wikipedia contributors, administrators, and community members in collaborative content creation?
  - Objective: Identify successful engagement methods and address challenges to enhance community involvement in future initiatives.

3. Collaboration Synergy:

  - Question: How does collaboration with existing projects, such as Kiwix4schools, enhance the overall impact and effectiveness of the WikiEdit-a-thon?
  - Objective: Evaluate the benefits and challenges of collaborative efforts to inform future partnerships and joint projects.

4. Community Empowerment:

  - Question: To what extent does the WikiEdit-a-thon empower community members, particularly in terms of digital literacy, content creation, and collaboration skills?
  - Objective: Measure the educational impact and empowerment levels achieved through active participation.

5. Knowledge Transfer:

  - Question: How effectively does the project facilitate the transfer of knowledge, skills, and best practices among community members?
  - Objective: Assess the success of knowledge-sharing mechanisms and identify areas for improvement.

These questions cover a range of key aspects, from content improvement to community engagement and empowerment, providing a comprehensive framework for learning and evaluation.

18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)

Number of participants, editors, and organizers

Other Metrics	Target	Optional description
Number of participants	10	The aggregate count representing the number of participants engaged in the entire program, reflecting the collective involvement, contributions, and collaborative efforts of individuals who have actively taken part in the initiative.
Number of editors	8	A select group comprising editors and esteemed administrators renowned for their expertise, tasked with generating top-tier articles of exceptional quality. These articles are meticulously crafted to meet the highest criteria necessary for inclusion in the prestigious category of the most vital and influential content within Swahili Wikipedia.
Number of organizers	2	User: Husseyn Issa and User:Pellagia Njau are the ones in responsible for conducting and organizing this program.

Number of content contributions to Wikimedia projects

Wikimedia project	Number of content created or improved
Wikipedia	570
Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata
Wiktionary
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies
Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia

Optional description for content contributions.

We aspire to forge new pathways of knowledge-sharing on Swahili Wikipedia by embarking on the creation of Wikipedia articles dedicated to schools that, as of now, remain undocumented. Our mission is to illuminate the educational landscape, ensuring that every school's unique story, achievements, and contributions are vividly portrayed in the Swahili language. Through this initiative, we aim to enrich the Swahili Wikipedia platform with a comprehensive repository of school articles, empowering Swahili-speaking users with diverse and valuable insights into the educational fabric of our communities.

19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)

No

Main Open Metrics Data

Main Open Metrics	Description	Target
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A
N/A	N/A	N/A

20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)

1. Outreach dashboard

2. Google Survey Form

Financial proposal

21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wp5pfiR52OHqKMcijamUJR0b9mbMOSZi3plx9d0HKBQ/edit#gid=0

22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)

11776226 TZS

22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.

4700 USD

We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

Yes

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• Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
• Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
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• Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
• Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).

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