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On the 6th - 7th of July, I and my team members were at Ayete and its environs in Ibarakpa North of Oyo state Nigeria to collect data on safe places for female genital mutilation.


For some reason, I have decided to re-engulf myself within OSM. I have found almost an entire city in south Colorado, devoid of houses mapped, and have thusly made it my mission to map them. After 3 days of mapping, I would deduce that I am about 10% done with all of these houses. Progress is certainly being made.





Probably a Marmite issue! Carried out some updates while in a different area. The sidewalks/ pavements were mapped separately from the associated road. This made it a pain to improve road alignment and routing results were not ideal. Using the sidewalk tag on the road object and joining a physically separate path object to it seems easier/clearer?




Hab heute mal die Street-Complete app von frdoid installiert. Nicht nur fuehlt es sich wie die modernste App auf meinem Telefon an, die vielen Illustrationen fuer die Vorschlaege machen es wirklich einfach, gute Tags zu vergeben. Kinderleicht sogar, denn die kleinen durften mitmachen und haben es einigermassen verstanden. Nice.


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.

  • ‘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.

  • ‘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

  • ‘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

  • ‘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

  • ‘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

  • ‘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


1974 (1968) was here 🌺

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.


YouthMappers A Bank of Sustainable Skills for students.

What I learned in YouthMappers when I was a student.


I have never forgotten what happened when I was a student that day in the afternoon. I can’t unveil the whole incident without highlighting what caused it and in this case, YouthMappers started it. In fact, that was in the 2nd year, when YouthMappers continued to give students an equal opportunity to thrive and find their path in their career side. In my case, I don’t regret that I chose YouthMappers as a student over many other organizations. Career-wise, I wanted to be a computer or Data scientist but the University never gave me the chance to choose what I wanted, therefore I was pushed into Records and Archivist management and I graduated as an information specialist.

In YouthMappers as a student, I learned different skills in both academics and leadership. I have never learned any course related to mapping or GIS in my profession, but I freely acquired these skills from YouthMappers. Further, among the most important things YouthMappers value is inclusive and equal access to opportunity. I came from a background that has nothing to do with geospatial and geography but I was allowed to join YouthMappers and gained a lot of skills which I have also taught to many communities. As a student, I acquired skills from theories and practical points of view without learning them in class but through YouthMappers, open source, and mapathons.

I took advantage of the YouthMappers short course to advance my skills in mapping. I first started with a beginners’ course on how to map with JOSM, ID Editor, chapter management, field data collection tools, OSM ecosystem, and organizing mapathons. I managed and got 6 beginners certificates. Later on, YouthMappers advanced the courses and I decided to be the first one to take them. Luckily enough, I managed and acquired another butch of 6 advanced certificates. Away from these certificates, YouthMappers taught me how to conduct research, contribute to society, team building, and leadership skills. They introduced me to validation through the YouthMappers validation hub and made me more interested in exploring and understanding mapping. All in all, these certificates really sharpen my skills and advance my mapping knowledge. I managed to leave behind a very strong and successful YouthMappers Chapter at my university because of the Chapter management courses I took. I also started my journey of training others around Open mapping participatory while I was a student with YouthMappers.

Further, all these skills I acquired from YouthMappers allowed me to join HOT’s first cohort internship, OSMF (OSM Foundation) as an active contributor to open mapping. I also used my field mapping skills to participate in a data collection project organized by the OSM-Zambia, I was also selected as a research fellow and I led a group of 13 young people in a deeply rural area to collect Data.

Life as YouthMappers Alumni


I have been a student and it’s so nice being part of many organizations. I must also say that many opportunities come as you are at school because life after school has a different point of view. I have enjoyed a lot in YouthMappers from theory to practical benefits. YouthMappers gave me the knowledge I wanted and the opportunity as a student. However, if you have chosen YouthMappers as a student, you are on the right track and please do not leave faster than it can push you.

As a graduate in 2022, YouthMappers brought all research fellows and regional ambassadors who are young people from all over the world to attend the international conference which took place in Florence, Italy between 19th to 28th August 2022. I was among these great minds in Italy, we networked, laughed and we ate together. This was a great opportunity where young people could meet, network, collaborate and represent their specific chapters.

This opportunity came to me because when I was a student, I decided to be part of YouthMappers and never left. This was a great moment for YouthMappers members to meet again for the second conference since 2017. This gathering was the combination of the 2020 research fellows, regional ambassadors, YouthMappers technical supporters, directors, communication team, researchers, founders, etc. Truth be told, one edit really landed me in the plane. This was my first international trip and I enjoyed my tiresome trip for one day from Lusaka, Zambia to Florence, Italy.

I learned that YouthMappers is the community of communities as Patricia put it, meaning it cutters for many communities and generations. YouthMappers believes in building young people to be self-sustainable and be able to identify a problem, conduct research, and offer solutions on their own. The conference opportunity exposed me to a lot of knowledge and skills including web creation, Mapmyrun app, QGIS, Geocat, Field data collection tools, Streetcomplete, Everydoor applications, etc. I met and participated in a lot of OSM presentations and social dinners. This gave me a chance to explore and interact with a massive number of OSM contributors across the globe. Isn’t that great? YouthMappers launched its documentary and shared the book written by young people in YouthMappers. I attended a very successful meeting with OSM-Africa and It was so great meeting fellow OSM Africa people, full of young people trying to take the lead.

Lastly, I had a chance to meet and talked to DR Patricia Solis. It was a dream come true for me because I used to follow her works and was inspired a lot. Meeting Dr. Solis physically really moved my dream to great heights

Opportunities that came because of YouthMappers’ background.


After school, I decided to reorganize myself and join society, especially in the least developed countries like Ours. Job opportunities after graduation are really hard to find. I decided to continue Mapping because that’s how I drive sustainable development goals. Mapping is something I am passionate about and love. I remembered how I was picked to join the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team HOT for Southern and Central Africa Hub as a Mappers volunteer in Zambia on a project led by the HOT-ESA team. I was not picked because I had finished school but the background and skills I had acquired while as a student with YouthMappers. The YouthMappers has so much to offer to Students but it’s all up to a student to decide and pick what they think will be best for them. I am glad I picked a great path and I don’t regret it. I also volunteered with Crowd2Map Tanzania, MapUganda, OSMZambia, MapMalawi, etc.

Participatory Open mapping for locals Under HOT, I was among the trainers


I had an opportunity to share the skills I learned from YouthMappers with many communities and young people.

Data collection in Lavushinda district, under HOT and local impact

Based on my experience in October 2022, I applied for Crowd2Map Tanzania as a volunteer. I decided to contribute to the FGM and add many buildings to the map. This opportunity was given to me due to YouthMappers’ background. More opportunities.

Did you know that other people search names, places, distances, clinics, markets, and countries on the YouthMappers website? In 2022 I received an email from the World bicycle relief in Zambia and they explained that they found my email address from the YouthMappers website, on one of my blogs. They engaged me with other fellow young people to collect data using KoBocollect. This was an application I learned from YouthMappers and HOT-ESA training. This opportunity came because I made the right choice of belonging to YouthMappers as a student.

In conclusion, my short message to all students joining YouthMappers today, please do not leave prematurely, exercise a little patience and see what retirement package of skills the YouthMappers impact on you.

Acknowledgment YouthMappers USAID DR PATRICIA SOLIS (Ph.D.) HUMANITARIAN OPENSTREETMAP TEAM (HOT) World Bicycle relief YouthMappers University Of Zambia Chapter (YMUNZA) Local Impact Crowd2MapTazania

About the Author: Names: Charles Chilufya B.A in Records and Archives Management 2020 YouthMappers Research fellow. Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Mapper Mapper of all time. Currently Records officer, Email. chilufyacharles12@gmail.com



In the past I made the mistake that I took pull requests of foreign language support I do not speak or am at least not good enough at.

Thus I now added more features using English language and I would like to have people translating this to French, Spanish and Russian accordingly.

Please contact me if you can help.

Sven


City of Meadville, Vernon Twp, West Mead Twp


##Completed## • Landuse has been filled in on the map. • Buildings have been added using RapID. • Roads have been updated with ref:penndot and unsigned_ref tags.

Work in Progress


• Addresses are a work in progress and is a very time consuming task. • Business POIs.

When I first started mapping this area, there was very little mapped. Allegheny College, retail centers, and a few other isolated areas were the mapped exception. It’s been a fulfilling opportunity to map undermapped communities, especially in the Appalachia region.






“The Birdcage is lonely” - @OpenStreetMap engagement on Mastodon/Fediverse is streets ahead of Twitter.





  • Please do not use iD if you can. Use jOSM. iD sucks at arranging member order, and can cause a lot of havoc (e.g. node discrepancy)
  • Please always add the tag public_transport:version=2 for routes. That way others can verify your work more easily.
  • If you find there are other map features needing change, do those changes first. Keep your final change set clean with the bus route relation(s) being the only constituent(s).










July 3 2023 1605 Irwin Lane Sulphur Springs,TX

OpenStreetMap is a map of the world, created by people like you and free to use under an open license.



I have been contributing to OpenStreetMap (OSM) since September 2022 under the umbrella of the Uniquemappers network and some of the ways I have contributed are: I have spent over 130 hours mapping on the HOT tasking manager and I have a total of 4,267 buildings, 105 km of roads mapped, and 16 km of waterways mapped, so I have a total of 1613 edits. I have Validated 28 tasks by reviewing and verifying the accuracy of existing data on the map. I Actively participate in my Mapathon center at the University of Nigeria Enugu campus, where I am the team lead and I have trained over 20 mappers. I have a good knowledge of the JOSM and ArcGIS in mapping. I have headed the organizing of mapping Projects where my team participates in mapping projects focused on specific regions, themes, or events.




It’s been a long time now, the news of the days when we and the children didn’t have anything to fear for you and your family, relatives and friends, now God blesses our organization is registered and we have already been given a certificate and we are recognized by the ministry and now we are continuing the struggle and helping these orphans and those who live in difficult environments the children greet you very much