On December 5th, 2017, I joined Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team with the goal of making a tangible impact. Over the years, my curiosity on the HOT Tasking Manager grew, and I found myself increasingly drawn to OpenStreetMap (OSM). At first, I was overwhelmed with how to become more active and create more impact, but I soon discovered that my love for and working on the computer was my gateway. Contributing to OSM quickly became an addiction, a way to relax, a therapeutic outlet when I was feeling tired or frustrated.

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I thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with the FMTM testing team, where I gained invaluable experience in data collection within Shyira Sector, Nyabihu District, located in the picturesque western province of Rwanda. Working alongside a remarkable team from Rwanda, I was inspired by the diverse and enthusiastic individuals I had the pleasure of collaborating with. The Rwandan terrain, delectable cuisine, and engaging interactions with members of the HOT community left an indelible mark on my memory.

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My 5 years celebration with OpenStreetMap

Down My (OpenStreetMap) Memory lane…

I was just a Geo-informatics and Surveying Polytechnic student at Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State. We used to have practical sessions using Surveying instruments but with time I realized that we are doing the same thing over and over without any data being stored. We would just acquire, use and trash! I then decided to form a team of 4 with my fellow students who I convinced of my vision – we would collect the data, save it and be updating it later to make data available to all and easy to access. We set objectives to achieving our aim and being close with my Head of Department and my lecturers give us access to instruments at any time. We decided to pick every existing feature within the school - it was a difficult experience for months but my passion for data kept me going. At the end of the struggle, we had the data and I then created a unique map for my school which is currently serving as the base map for the school even up to this day. The result got applauded by the department as I made it easy for anyone who may need data for a particular section of the school they can get it easily, saving time and eliminating use and trash. Since that day, I started keeping any data I collected and saving it for reuse. Initially I wanted to pursue Computer Science and Electronic Engineering because of my love for computers and I wanted to change the world as my strength could carry me but alas, I found myself in Geo-informatics and Surveying and completely fell in love with it. More like it was meant for me.

How I met OpenStreetMap

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My Excitement

It was really a good and great feeling being part of the HOT interns for 2022, I am really excited about it and can’t really express it well. The internship has given me the opportunity to learn from experts, network and meet different people across the globe to share ideas, learn and impact our community through OpenStreetMap by providing quality data, I am becoming better day by day, I am gradually Improving on my mapping skill in another dimension with just few hours of kick off, Imagine me in couple of coming weeks, I am super excited about my Improvement.

I was Nervous too

I was nervous about not getting things right, it is really great and awesome, I am better than the way I came but mapping Project 12062 was a bit hard for me in Identifying building features. In my conventional mapping, any task I start mapping, I MUST finish it no matter how hard the task is but project 12062 challenged me because I found it difficult marking a task complete because I keeping thinking if that is building or not because the Imagery is coarse but I am gradually defeating my fear of not getting it right because I am improving and Validators feedback is really building my confidence.

I Learnt

1. Learnt old way of Multi polygon
2. Why turning Expert mode is important on JOSM
3. Learnt more about Important of quality data

Week 1 Challenges

I never know it was hard somehow using iD editor because I used iD editor for 2 years before switching to JOSM and I have been using JOSM expect on training New OSMites in my local community which is just for demonstration. using it in mapping during my first week of internship was hard, stressful and funny as it is, I was even using JOSM Shortcuts on ID Editor

Courage and Relieving

The Validators feedback is really relieving and encouraging, I think i Will adopt the method of giving feedback. Validators feedback boost my morale and inspired me to do more, I will be using such feedback in future to inspire OSMites

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Unique Mappers Network Nigeria MapMyVillage Mapathon Campaign For Social Good.

Time: Apr 30, 2022 12:00 PM West Central Africa

Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87344792348?pwd=RHBzM3pha2NITzdBeFVJZ3ZxbG1oZz09

Meeting ID: 873 4479 2348 Passcode: BfDJTGkeYs

Event Link: https://mapmyvillage.eventbrite.com/ .

Event Flier:

In the session, our objectives are to:

• Gain an understanding about OpenStreetMap (OSM)

• Discover various use cases or applications of OSM and its data.

• Introduction to ID editor

• Mapping with AI (RapID)

• Use of JOSM

The Training Covered How do I contribute in OSM like;

• Going out and surveying (Fieldpapers, gpx traces, etc)

• Use of Mobile application (Mapillary, MapSwipe, Maps.me, etc)

• Digitizing with computer software editors (iD editor, JOSM, Potlatch, etc)