HOT Mentoship Legacy Project-Sally Mlingi
BUILDING YOUTH CAPACITY IN OPEN MAPPING - SALLY MLINGI
Introduction
The HOT Mentorship Program marked a pivotal role in my journey as a youth and community mapper. At first, I was not sure which track I would be placed in, but I wanted the Data in Humanitarian Work Track because I wanted to build up on my geospatial skills. However, I was placed in the Open Community Building Track and I was clearly not happy about it but later I decided to have an open mind about the whole issue. I am glad I did because I saw an avenue to deepen my ability to empower communities, particularly youth, to meaningfully contribute to open mapping initiatives that address real-world humanitarian and development challenges. Through guided learning by my wonderful mentor, Donitar Orishaba, peer exchange and practical engagement, this mentorship strengthened my capacity in community engagement and facilitation when it comes to the use of open mapping tools. These skills offered by my mentor did not remain theoretical, they became the foundation upon which I implemented my legacy project. I translated learning into action through youth trainings on the use of open mapping tools and advocacy for open data within academic and professional spaces. In this way, the mentorship evolved from a learning experience into a journey of impact, enabling me to apply acquired skills to build local capacity, raise awareness of OpenStreetMap and contribute meaningfully to OSM Kenya’s Initiatives.
Objectives of the Mentorship
Key objectives that guided my participation in the HOT Mentorship Program were:
- To build the capacity of youth in open mapping.
- To promote awareness of OpenStreetMap across various communities.
- To contribute to the broader OSM community through training, outreach and advocacy
Summary of Activities
Youth Training on Open Mapping Tools
Over the course of the mentorship, I successfully conducted two youth trainings, under the guidance of my community member leaders (OSM Kenya), which focused on introducing and strengthening skills in data validation and related open-source geospatial tools.
Training 1: Training on the use of Open Mapping Tools
As part of the 90-day mapping challenge that was organized by Tom Tom, OSM Kenya organized a two-week mapping session to help in advancing the tasks. On day three on these sessions, I had the opportunity of training students/youth mappers on some mapping tools like ID editor, JOSM and the HOT Tasking Manager. At first, I was scared considering it was my first time, but eventually I got the hang of it and was able to pass this valuable knowledge to my fellow peers. It was an interactive session, one that I really enjoyed. Attached is the video the session that I taught on the same. [1]
Training 2: Training on Data Quality Program by OpenStreetMap Kenya
OpenStreetMap Kenya has this data quality program that runs for two months that aims to strengthen mapping standards and nurture the next generation of skilled mappers with advanced skills in data validation, quality assurance and community mapping. I was a data quality intern in 2024, where I learnt Data Validation, the use of QGIS in analysing OSM data, downloading OSM data using Overpass API among many other geospatial tools. As an alumnus of the program, I decided to come back and teach my fellow youth mappers on ways in which they can clean data. I took the team through advanced JOSM, Maproulette and a map and chat hour where they would share their screen for them to show their mapping skills and for the instructors to see whether they have understood the whole concept It was amazing passing on this knowledge, because through this, I also got to learn a lot that I did not know.
From the training, I believe I equipped over 30 youth with practical skills in open mapping, created a supportive learning environment where participants gained confidence in using OSM tools (when I asked them to share their screen), encouraged youth to join global mapping campaigns and local OSM communities like OSM Kenya and strengthened peer-to-peer learning my involving active mappers in follow-up support. I would say these trainings were quite fulfilling for me because I got to impact the youth directly.
Presentation at GIS Day-Kenyatta University
I was invited to my alma mater, Kenyatta University, and specifically the KUGIS Club for a panel discussion during their GIS Day. The theme of the day was ‘Where Spatial Meets Everything’. The panel discussion I spoke on focused on ‘The power of open data and innovation’. I was representing OSM Kenya, and I began explaining generally what OSM is, which is a free editable map of the world built by a global community of mappers and the value of crowdsourced geospatial data in low environments like in many African cities.
I remember the moderator of the session asked how accurate and reliable OSM data is because everyone contributes, even those who are not experienced. To which I responded that OSM has community guidelines which govern the adding of data. Also, their slogan states that every data added should be accurate, reliable and up-to-date. In addition, I gave an example of the daily contributions members of the community do everyday to ensure the data is up-to-date.
I also talked about youth and community engagement in mapping and focused on how young people and engage with OSM and build practical skills that are globally relevant. I gave examples of opportunities to volunteer in global HOT campaigns (through the HOT Tasking Manager), how students can use the data from OSM for their final year projects as it is free and readily accessible and skill-building pathways in mapping, data validation and geospatial analysis.
Mentorship Outcomes and Challenges Encountered
Throughout the mentorship and under the guidance of my mentor, I strengthened my abilities in OSM Tools like Maproulette, ID Editor, JOSM and the HOT Tasking Manager. I also strengthened my skills in facilitating meetings and community training and lastly networking within the global HOT and OSM Communities. Among the challenges encountered were limited internet access for some participants during trainings, making it difficult for them to share their screen, the need for consistent follow-up sessions after initial trainings and the most pressing challenge of all was balancing mentorship activities with professional commitments.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the HOT Mentorship Program has been such an enriching experience that expanded my technical capabilities, facilitation capabilities because I remember at first being afraid to facilitate a meeting and my commitment to open data. Through these trainings and the GIS Day presentation, I contributed meaningfully, in however small way possible, to strengthening the open mapping ecosystem in Kenya and Africa too. I look forward to continuing these efforts and mentoring more young people on the importance of open community building.