A map + GPS + volunteers + development = Map Kibera. My imagination of technology and mapping has been framed by a few strong examples of leadership, especially after meeting Jamie Lundine and seeing her speak at the International Network of CrisisMappers Conference.
Soon, I will have the honour to meet Jamie and her coworkers in the Kibera area. One of their projects, Voice of Kibera, uses Ushahidi. I consider this one of the more important aspects of my journey. Development using technology has its hurdles. Really, it is people who make these amazing projects happen.
Can you help Map Kibera:
Turn Maps into Action: Donate to the Map Kibera Project via Global Giving
Total Funding Received to Date: $1,715
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $2,285
Total Funding Goal: $4,000
Ushahidi: from volunteering to working
When I traveled to Ireland in 2009, I decided that I wanted to live a more meaningful life. For various reasons, I had been holding back on living my dreams and by my values. These are freeing “on paper” concepts. My family worked hard to give me the rich opportunity to do the type of work that inspires. This decision and the journey since has been incredible and, at times, very complex. Volunteering has lead me to find my calling of technology for social good and I work with Ushahidi. Now, I am constantly reminding myself to make sure that I leave time for breathing, while I focus on building community. Coworkers and the greater volunteer community of developers, translators, project managers and idea hackers leave me awestruck on a daily basis. It is motivation to do.more.act, and to take breathing lessons.
Kenya
I arrive in Nairobi on Friday, August 19th and return to Canada on September 3, 2011. While in Nairobi, I will co-work at the iHUB, run a few events, including testing Toolboxes to help deployers, and, most of all, learn as much as possible about Nairobi, Kenya, and Africa. I consider it a privilege to work for a innovative Kenyan company. And, going to Kenya will most likely alter my life as every touch point on this path has done. I am ready. Nervous because it is the big unknown, but excited and ready.
Watching the news and supporting various donation campaigns for the people of Somalia and the Horn of Africa is also on my mind. I have so much respect for humanitarian groups and encourage people to support their efforts to help. Every person can change the world and help their neighbour, even those half way around the world.
Heather
