The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources Youthmapper was privileged to be among the YouthMapper chapters that attended the Malawi and South Africa Youth Mapper workshop that was scheduled between September 2 and 4th, 2022 at University of Malawi. The training attracted five youth mapper’s chapters from Malawian universities namely, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Mzuzu University, University of Malawi and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources itself. The South African Counter Parts comprised of University of LImpompo as well as University of Pretoria.

The training was organized by Youth Mappers and USAID Washington and comprised of the delegation of Brent Mccuster, Zola Manyungwa, Ndapile Nkuwu, Adele Birkenes and Christine Urbanowicz.

It was aimed at imparting knowledge and sharing mapping experiences on ID editor, Java Open Street Mapping, QGIS and Kobo collect Toolbox, in facilitating improved contributions and utilization to the open source community activities. Chapter members that attended the knowledge exchange platform were tasked with training their fellow chapter members in their respective colleges, as a post training activity.

LUANAR YOUTH MAPPERS DELEGATION The three member delegation for LUANAR YouthMappers were Tarcizio Kalaundi, Susan Chibophe and Martha Chirwa. They share their experiences for the Youth mapper’s workshop.

‘It was an inspiration to network with chapter members across the universities, learning from the potentials of Youthmapper’s organization and our role as chapter members to keep the dreams of the founders alive and perhaps develop new motivations and aspirations from the limitless mapping world. My take home assignment was to inspire fellow youths to explore opportunities with Youthmappers.’Tarcizio Kalaundi, chapter president.

‘I did learn a lot from the workshop, and public speaking skills stood out for me. I am a very shy person to speak in public, but noticing from the speakers of the workshop that was dominated by female presenters like Zola, Ndapile, Adele and Christine, did motivate me to consider my public speaking fears manageable. I go back to my university a confident and determined person to teach my fellow chapter members with confidence, what I have attained. ‘Martha Chirwa-Bsc Aquaculture and Fisheries year 3

‘I had very limited knowledge about what YouthMappers was before the workshop, seeing students coming all the way from South Africa and with facilitators like Brent travelling past continents to impart knowledge, reaffirmed my interest and docility. I have made new friends who we have promised each other to continue to share our experiences beyond the training, as we grow and learn the applications of youth mapping opportunities in our respective careers. I am a fully committed member from now and always.’ Susan Chibophe-Bsc Environmental Sciences Year 2

TRAINING AT LUANAR-BUNDA CAMPUS Upon the completion of the workshop, a two day training was scheduled on September 23rd and 26th 2022, where fellow youthchapter members were introduced in making contributions to the open street mapping world using Id editor, Java Open Street Mapping, QGIS and Kobo collect. Chapter members that attended the training have experiences to share

CHAPTER MEMBERS SHARING EXPERIENCES FROM THE TRAINING 1. ‘I came to the training with some knowledge in GIS but i was not aware of the unlimited things i can do using different software’s including Open street Map, QGIS and Kobo tools. But now after the training, I’m confident to enter the GIS field since the training has boosted my knowledge in many applications needed to solve real world problems’. Esther Tamanda Biliat-Bsc Agricultural Engineering, Year 4.

1. ‘Through Open Street Map i have learnt to locate my home district, giving further descriptions of different landforms & drainage available, including identification of features like buildings, forests and rivers. I have further broaden my statistical skills by being able to learn and create a kobo collect account. I have acquired skills & knowledge on data collection using kobo toolbox, I now know how to create a questionnaire by using kobo account. Data collection & analysis for my project has been made easier. The mapping skills acquired will help me in making positive contributions to the environmental problems like waste management’. Michael Steve Khumba, BSc in Environmental Sciences, Year 4.

2. ‘It was an amazing training, I was able to map for the first time and had an experience working with Id editor, being a champion for waste management, I am willing to explore what capabilities come with the mapping skills and the chapter.’ Christiana Rosha-Bsc Natural Resources Management Land and Water year 3

3. ‘I never knew youthmappers existed before the training, I saw the post that was calling for new members to come be part of the training and I expressed my interest. A lot was shared on how mapping is applicable to my career and I am interested in exploring contribution and leadership opportunities laid by the chapter and the organization.’ Upile Chelewani-Bsc Environmental Science Year 2

4. ‘It was inspiring to hear about mapping stories, it gave me purpose to believe in the studies that I am pursuing, knowing fully well the world of exploration that it could contribute to through mapping. I encourage everyone to become a mapper.’ Lisa Gama-Bsc Environmental Science Year 2

5. ‘A great learning platform that I intend to cherish, I am interested in understanding the software development contribution aspect of open street mapping, and with proper guidance and training be able to contribute to its improvement. I have heard of the youthmappers conferences and leadership opportunities, it will be delightful to network and grow with the rest of the world.’ Dennis Mazeri-Bsc Environmental Science year 2

6. ‘My earlier perception about a community of mappers was that it was meant for a specific group of people, especially those with a background in Geographic Information Systems. But being part of the training however has helped me realize that youthmappers is beyond GIS experts. It is a community of researchers, leaders, story tellers and passionate youths that are geared to transform the world by sharing stories of people and their interaction with the environment regardless of field of belonging.’ Vanessa Majoni-Bsc Agriculture Extension year 4

CURRENT CHAPTER STATUS AND ACTIVITIES The Chapter has seen a tremendous increase in patronage and activity contributions, with an average of 20 participants and female representation of over 60% in all its activities. It was recently awarded Women Participation Award by YouthMappers, for its relentless efforts to ensure women participation in the geospatial world. It has seen an increase in special interest of its members to explore more geospatial knowledge and skills through research projects and free self-paced drone and data programs for example, using the African Drone and Data Academy as a learning hub and platform to draw inspirations of drone and data application from. It has as well embarked on a mission to help other colleges and universities register as youthmapper chapters. The recent engagement was with Natural Resources College, where registration process is underway to have NRC youthmappers chapter established. It has plans to reach out to two more universities within Lilongwe City by August 2023, namely DMI University Lilongwe Campus and Malawi Assemblies of God University.

Other activities that the chapter has engaged itself into include working in partnership with Malawi Red Cross Society, Nkhoma University, Open Street Map Malawi and Map Malawi to aid emergency disaster response, by mapping out road and building data in flood prone areas as well as communities and districts that have been affected by such. Recent projects on the same include responding to a call to map out Southern region of Malawi that has been affected by cyclone Freddy.

LUANAR youth mappers is determined than ever to build mappers not just maps, that leave an indelible trail of positive impact in the mapping community by responding to complex problems that the societies are facing