Submissions/WikiFundi : editing Wikipedia offline across Africa

This is a Completed submission for Wikimania 2017 ready to be reviewed by a member of the Programme Committee.

Submission no. 7007 Subject - L3

Title of the submission: WikiFundi : editing Wikipedia offline across Africa

Type of submission (lecture, panel, tutorial/workshop, roundtable discussion, lightning talk, poster, birds of a feather discussion): Lightning talk + Poster

Author of the submission: Islahaddow and Anthere

Language of presentation: English and French

E-mail address: islawikiloveswomen.org and fdevouardanthere.org

Username

Islahaddow and Anthere

Country of origin

South Africa / France

Affiliation, if any (organisation, company etc.)

The WikiAfrica movement

Personal homepage or blog

www.wikifundi.org

Abstract (up to 300 words to describe your proposal)

WikiFundi (www.wikifundi.org) is an editing platform that presents an offline editable environment that is a a similar experience to editing Wikipedia online. WikiFundi is part of the Wikipack Africa project.

WikiFundi enables teachers, wikipedian communities and NGOs to learn about editing Wikipedia and contributing knowledge when technology, access and electricity outages fail or are not available at all. It enables individuals, groups, schools and communities to work on articles collaboratively. Once completed and when connected to the internet, these articles can be uploaded to Wikipedia.

Wikipack Africa is an action pack that contains the WikiFundi software, and additional materials and content that facilitates the outreach work done by local Wikimedia chapters, local Wikimedia User Group or isolated individuals in African countries.

In 2017 WikiFundi is being rolled out in 15 countries across Africa. As part of the Wikipack Africa, WikiFundi is being used by Wikimedia usergroups, volunteers and educational organisations in Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. In addition, WikiFundi is available via the Digital Schools programme of the Orange Foundation where it will be used by a potential 300 schools and universities across Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinée, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Sénégal, and Tunisia.

The lightning talk will discuss the project, provide the opportunity for people to access the portal, and provide feedback about its initial interactions and rollout across the continent. A poster will provide statistics and other relevant information on the project. The platform was designed by Florence Devouard and Isla Haddow-Flood to support the WikiAfrica movement and Wikimedia volunteers across Africa as part of the Wikipack Africa project, in collaboration with Wikimedia CH. It was funded by Orange Foundation.

What will attendees take away from this session?

Attendees will be able to access the platform and try WikiFundi out for themselves. They will be able to explore alternative ways of doing outreach under challenging circumstances and they will be able to hear from the very people who have been working with the platform for the last 6 months. There will be a bi-lingual information poster explaining the concept and flyers in English and French. They will also be able place a pre-order for a Wikipack Africa if they think it would assist their community.

Theme of presentation

Technology, Interface & Infrastructure

For workshops and discussions, what level is the intended audience?

Intermediate and advanced

Length of session (if other than 25 minutes, specify how long): 5 minutes

Will you attend Wikimania if your submission is not accepted?: Yes

Slides or further information (optional)

Special requests

Is this Submission a Draft or Final?

This is a Completed submission for Wikimania 2017 ready to be reviewed by a member of the Programme Committee.

Interested attendees

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