Introduction

My name is Rinchen Norbu, and I am from Bhutan. I hold a B.Sc degree in Geography, which has endowed me with extensive knowledge in GIS and Remote Sensing, sparking a deep interest in further GIS studies. My foray into the world of OSM began on March 18, 2023, marking my initial venture into this domain. My introduction was through a project focused on mapping hospitals and Basic Health Units in Bhutan, led by a Bhutanese woman as part of the She Leads She Inspire challenge. I am grateful to Ms. Kelzang Yuden and her team for this opening. Additionally, my gratitude extends to Ms. Leki Choden, who motivated me to become part of her mapping team. Since then, I have been regularly following the Asian Pacific Hub and Mr. Mikko’s Facebook page for the latest OSM updates.

Upon discovering the announcement about the OMGuru fellowship, I was thrilled and promptly sat for the OMGuru examination in the first week of November. After successfully passing the exam, I was chosen to partake in the fellowship. The fellowship is divided into three streams: 1. Training Fellowship, 2. Mapping Fellowship, and 3. Validation Fellowship. Recognizing my unique strengths, I was appointed to the Mapping Fellowship. It appeared that I was the sole representative from Bhutan in this fellowship, as I did not come across any other Bhutanese names. I have committed myself to the Mapping Fellowship for five months.

During Fellowship

Throughout my experience with the Omguru mapping fellowship, I have gained a wealth of knowledge in OSM mapping, as well as familiarity with various new mapping tools and software. In addition, I have had the chance to participate in a sequence of webinars that delved into topics such as mapping, data exportation, and mobile mapping applications, including Mapillary, Every Door, MapSwipe, and MapRoullete.

Simultaneously, as I was engaged in the mapping task, I encountered a series of challenges, including images with poor visibility, overlapping edifices, and time constraints, among others. There were instances where the buildings were indiscernible for digitization, and differentiating between shadows and actual structures proved difficult. Being employed at an agency in Bhutan, I struggle to allocate time among my professional duties, academic endeavors, and personal tasks, which has made it somewhat strenuous to fulfill the requirements of my fellowship.

Up until now, I have approached my work with dedication and continue to seek out additional GIS-related courses. Furthermore, I have found joy in mapping, which has provided numerous chances to connect with new acquaintances, making it a hub for interaction. I have been able to introduce new features to the map, which hold significant value across various sectors, including disaster management, climatology, and beyond.

Acknowledgement

Moving forward, I am eager to continue my contributions. The fellowship has left an indelible mark on all of us, across various tracks, from Mapping to others. Such an enriching experience was made possible by the unwavering support of the OpenStreetMap(OSM) and HOTOSM teams. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Asian Pacific Hub (APHub), the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), as well as individuals like Mikko Tamura and Honey Grace Fombuena, for granting me this incredible opportunity.