Wikipedia:Kumusha Takes Wiki

Kumusha Takes Wiki is a project that aims at activating communities across Africa to create and contribute freely-licensed information, texts, images and media about their communities (villages, townships, suburbs, inner cities, etc).

It uses community journalism to gather community-relevant information on heritage, culture, notable persons, geographical features, among other things. It gives each community an online presence that is 'owned' by the community, provide information that can be pulled into Wikipedia, Wikimedia projects or OpenStreetMap databases, and it adds immeasurably to the understanding of Africa to every human being on the planet (from the people in the village to the person in New York, Mumbai or Milan). This project gives a public voice to communities across Africa, empowering them to share their own histories and, through training, to acquire valuable and transferable skills.

The project is described in more details on meta.

Kumusha Takes Wiki was conceived by Florence Devouard and Isla Haddow-Flood (WikiAfrica, at the Africa Centre) in 2013. The project is supported in 2013-2014 by Orange Foundation in Cote d'Ivoire and Uganda within the frame of Activate Africa (Orange Foundation).

Calendar

 * spring 2013: project draft and search for funding
 * october 2013: official start of Kumusha Takes Wiki project
 * november 2013 : two researchers for hire for one month
 * fall 2013: 2 Wikipedians in Residence to be hired (for Ivory Coast and Uganda). Training in South Africa (Africa Centre)
 * winter 2013-summer 2014: local events organization
 * January 2014: launch of photographic contest all over the African continent (Wiki Loves Africa)
 * May 2014: results of contest

How to participate ?
We are looking for various skills and support
 * part of the project will turn around geographical data. If you have skills in cartography or are an active participant in Open Street Map, we are interested !
 * we would like to reuse some already available resources, to be either updated or adapted to african context when relevant. For example, a small tutorial about using free licences... with details about specific IP conditions depending on African countries. Doc to be disseminated in schools for example. A job to rather do on Wikimedia Commons, but if you are interested, please tell us !
 * If you live or visit Africa during the photo contest, please do participate. You may also help to categorize pictures, check licenses and descriptions, be part of the jury etc.
 * help improve portals and project pages related to Ivory Coast and Uganda
 * help collect and manage statistical data associated with these two countries
 * any suggestion to facilitate the project
 * help us identify our future Wikipedians in Residence and suggest any local resources that could help us (for example, we are currently looking for a public institution that could host our community members)
 * and of course, welcome any new contributor to help them understand and respect our editorial rules.

Announcements
25th of November 2013 The Kumusha Takes Wiki is currently calling for applications from enthusiastic candidates in Côte d’Ivoire and Uganda to drive the project among selected communities in their home countries. This contract is a full time position for one year. Residence in the country of operation (either Côte d’Ivoire or Uganda) is mandatory, as is travel for a maximum of 2 months to attend a course in Cape Town. Full announcement available here. Interested persons should apply by 11th December 2013.

November 2013 The WikiAfrica project at the Africa Centre is seeking a researcher who has exceptional investigative, data gathering, Wikipedia/Wikimedia knowledge and writing skills for an exciting 4-week intensive short-term project for WikiAfrica’s Kumusha Takes Wiki project. Proficiency in French is a bonus, as is experience of Uganda and/or Cote d’Ivoire. The researcher will need to start immediately. Applicants should submit a CV showing relevant research experience to wikiafrica @  africacentre.net. Application deadline: 15th November.

October 2013 Africa Centre hires 2 researchers with investigative, data gathering and writing skills for a 4-week intensive short-term project. Ideally based in Cape Town. Proficiency in French, exp. of Uganda or Côte d'Ivoire a bonus. Contact wikiafrica AT africacentre.net asap

Contacts

 * user:anthere
 * User:Islahaddow
 * KumushaWiki on Twitter
 * KumushaTakesWiki on Facebook
 * On the Open Street Map Wiki : User:KumushaTakesWiki

Local links

 * WikiProject Ivory Coast
 * WikiProject Uganda
 * Category:Wikipedians in Uganda
 * Africa-related regional notice board
 * Category:Wikipedians in Africa
 * Portal:Uganda