When I finished high school, I joined the Rwanda Red Cross because I have always loved humanitarian work and felt a strong duty to help people in any way I could. Becoming a trainer with Rwanda Red Cross gave me a sense of purpose in humanitarian action. I first encountered Humanitarian OpenStreetMap (OSM) during a disaster response for landslides and flooding in Rwanda, where many lives were lost. As a volunteer with the Rwanda Red Cross, I was part of the response team. After witnessing the destruction of buildings and roads by the floods, I began to wonder how people could be helped to avoid living in areas prone to such disasters. I thought about the potential of maps to identify unsafe places but didn’t know how it could be done.

One day, a friend introduced me to OSM Rwanda after I expressed my curiosity about maps. I joined the community, and on my very first day, I was trained on the importance of mapping for humanitarian response. I learned how to map roads and buildings, and though it wasn’t easy at first, I was deeply motivated. My curiosity had found a solution, and I was determined to continue contributing to mapping.

I started attending more mapping sessions and OSM events, learning and growing my skills. Eventually, I became a trainer in OSM Rwanda, teaching newcomers about mapping. This role allowed me to learn even more, as teaching others exposed me to different aspects of mapping. Over time, I made significant contributions and applied for a scholarship to attend the State of the Map (SOTM) conference in Nairobi. I believed it would be a great opportunity to expand my knowledge, and I was thrilled when my application was accepted.

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