Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/AWC Setswana Wikipedia Translation (ID: 23093659)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Mothusi Sekhomba
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal
[edit]- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
AWC Setswana Wikipedia Translation
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2025-06-27 - 2025-07-30
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Botswana
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Other (please specify) Africa Wiki Challenge
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
The change I am trying to bring is to make knowledge about African justice and reparations more accessible to Setswana speakers by translating key Wikipedia content. Africa’s history, struggles, and movements for justice are often underrepresented or misrepresented in global digital spaces. This project seeks to reclaim the African narrative by ensuring that crucial discussions on reparations reach a wider audience in their own language. Challenges & Problems 1. Lack of Representation: Africa-related content on Wikipedia is often incomplete or missing perspectives from African communities. 2. Language Barriers: Many key discussions on reparations and historical justice are available mainly in dominant global languages, making it difficult for Setswana speakers to engage. 3. Limited Digital Participation: African voices are underrepresented in shaping online knowledge, affecting narratives on history and justice. 4. Awareness & Engagement: People may not be aware of the importance of reparations or lack access to well-researched information. Approaches to Achieve This Change 1. Expanding Wikipedia Content in Setswana
- Translate critical articles related to reparations, African history, and justice into Setswana.
- Improve existing Wikipedia content to reflect African perspectives.
2. Building the Capacity of Community Members
- Organize online training sessions for new editors interested in contributing.
- Provide guidance on reliable sourcing and effective Wikipedia editing.
3. Community Engagement & Awareness
- Host discussions and outreach initiatives to educate people about reparations and historical justice.
- Encourage community members to participate in digital knowledge-sharing.
4. Leveraging Existing Research & Movements
- Collaborate with researchers, historians, and institutions focused on African justice.
- Align content with movements like the African Union’s advocacy for reparations.
This approach works because empowering local communities with information in their own language increases engagement, strengthens collective knowledge, and amplifies African perspectives in global discussions. There is strong evidence that linguistic inclusivity enhances participation and helps preserve cultural knowledge.
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
Here are the planned activities for the translation project aligned with our strategies: Planned Activities 1. Translation & Content Creation
- Identify key articles related to reparations, African history, and justice that need translation into Setswana.
- Translate and adapt content to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance.
- Improve existing Wikipedia pages by adding references, images, and expanding key sections.
2. Editor Training & Capacity Building
- Host virtual training sessions for new and existing editors to learn Wikipedia guidelines and editing tools.
- Provide mentorship and ongoing support for contributors.
- Develop editing tutorials and guides specifically focused on translating content into Setswana.
3. Community Engagement & Outreach
- Organize awareness campaigns through social media and local networks to encourage participation.
- Collaborate with educational institutions, cultural organizations, and local historians to validate and enrich content.
- Host webinars and discussions about the importance of digital knowledge representation and justice in African history.
4. Partnerships & Collaboration
- Work with Open Foundation West Africa (OFWA) and other Wikimedia-affiliated organizations to streamline content improvement efforts.
- Engage with local language experts and activists for linguistic and cultural accuracy.
- Seek collaboration with academic institutions and research groups working on reparations and historical justice.
Public Project Page For more details on the Africa Wiki Challenge and the broader initiatives, visit the official page: Africa Wiki Challenge 2025 here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Event:Africa_Wiki_Challenge_2025/Organize
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
I'm leading this project because I believe in the power of language to unlock knowledge and strengthen our collective voice. Alongside Chandapiwa Malema, who has experience in Wikipedia editing just like me, we’re taking on this initiative to translate and expand Wikipedia content into Setswana, ensuring that more people can access crucial discussions on African justice and reparations.
As the Project Lead, I'll be guiding the entire process, from organizing training sessions to working with community members, educators, and historians to make sure our translations are accurate and impactful. I also have experience in organizing projects, which helps me plan effectively, engage participants, and ensure the success of each phase.
Chandapiwa, as the Project Assistant, will support every aspect of the work, from mentoring new editors to helping structure the translation process. She brings valuable insights that will help make sure our contributions are of high quality.
We both understand that this is more than just a translation effort, it’s about reclaiming our history, making information more accessible, and ensuring Setswana-speaking communities have a place in global conversations. We’re doing this together, as volunteers, because we see the gap and we know the impact we can create.
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
In this project, I’m focusing on engaging Setswana-speaking individuals who are passionate about African history, justice, and knowledge-sharing. I believe that language should never be a barrier to accessing information, which is why I want to make Wikipedia more inclusive for our community.
The target participants include:
New and experienced Wikipedia editors: I want to bring more Setswana speakers into the editing space, encouraging them to contribute high-quality translations and culturally relevant content. Some may already have editing experience, while others will be learning for the first time.
Students and educators: Since education plays a crucial role in shaping knowledge, I plan to connect with university students, history professors, and language experts who can contribute accurate and well-researched translations.
Cultural activists and historians: These participants will help preserve African narratives by ensuring that translated content reflects the depth and accuracy of our history.
Youth in Botswana and beyond: I strongly believe that young people have the power to drive change. By engaging them in translation work, we’re empowering a new generation of Wikipedia contributors who will carry forward the movement for justice and reparations in Africa.
Underrepresented communities: Many Setswana speakers may not participate in Wikipedia editing simply because resources in their language are scarce. By including them, I hope to reduce knowledge inequity and ensure that African perspectives are properly represented.
How I Plan to Engage Participants Before the project starts, I’ll be spreading awareness through community discussions, social media outreach, and direct engagement with universities and Wikimedia affiliates. I know that visibility is key people need to see the opportunity and understand why their contributions matter.
During the project, I’ll be hosting in-person training sessions, where participants can learn editing skills hands-on, ask questions, and collaborate on translations. I’ll also organize virtual workshops for those who can’t attend in person. The goal is to create a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable contributing.
After the activities, I want to make sure this effort doesn’t end with just one campaign. That’s why I’ll follow up through mentorship, encouraging participants to stay active on Wikipedia. Recognizing top contributors with vouchers will also motivate long-term participation.
For me, this project is about building a movement, not just completing a single event. I’m excited to see how it grows and how many voices we can uplift together.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
Yes
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wvvs3nhfontKo1FwpA2sWlAGtXtnIweDMEn8VxrinJY/edit?tab=t.0
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
To ensure alignment with community needs and maximize participation, I discussed the project idea with relevant community members, potential contributors, and organizations focused on African knowledge representation. Here’s how engagement took place: 1. Initial Outreach & Idea Sharing
- Introduced the concept in Wikimedia community forums and Setswana language editing groups.
- Engaged with Open Foundation West Africa (OFWA), which runs the Africa Wiki Challenge, aligning activities with ongoing initiatives.
- Shared the proposal with Setswana-speaking Wikipedia editors to gather input on article selection and translation priorities.
2. Collaborative Planning Discussions
- Engaged history educators and linguistic experts to ensure accurate translations.
- Consulted youth organizations and educational institutions to involve young contributors.
3. On-Wiki Community Discussion
- The proposal has been publicly discussed on the Africa Wiki Challenge 2025 page, where contributors from across Africa are encouraged to participate.
- Direct link to the ongoing discussions: Africa Wiki Challenge 2025 (main project page)
4. Aligning with Other Projects
- Integrated with broader efforts to increase African content on Wikipedia, ensuring synergy with existing initiatives like Wiki Loves Africa and AfroCuration.
- Coordinated with Wikimedia Botswana and other regional language initiatives to prevent duplication and enhance impact.
By involving the community early and continuously refining the approach, this project is designed to be collaborative and impactful.
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Language
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Education
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Geographic
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Identify Topics for Impact
Learning and metrics
[edit]- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
Through this project, I aim to gain insights into the impact of translating and expanding Setswana-language content on Wikipedia, particularly on themes of African justice and reparations. These learning questions will guide the evaluation and refinement of the initiative: 1. Community Engagement & Participation
- What motivates Setswana speakers to contribute to Wikipedia content?
- What challenges do new editors face in understanding Wikipedia guidelines and translation accuracy?
- How effective are in-person and online training sessions in sustaining long-term participation?
2. Impact on Knowledge Accessibility
- How does translating content into Setswana improve knowledge accessibility and engagement with themes of reparations and justice?
- What is the level of awareness and understanding of reparations among Setswana-speaking readers before and after accessing translated content?
- What types of articles generate the most interest and contributions from the community?
3. Effectiveness of Recognition & Incentives
- Does awarding vouchers to top contributors motivate higher-quality contributions?
- What types of rewards (e.g., certificates, mentorship) are most effective in sustaining editor participation?
4. Collaboration & Partnerships
- How do partnerships with Wikimedia affiliates, educational institutions, and cultural organizations enhance content quality and outreach?
- What strategies are most effective in aligning the project with broader efforts like the Africa Wiki Challenge?
5. Sustainability & Future Expansion
- What measures help retain new editors beyond the initial project timeframe?
- How can the success of this initiative inform future Wikipedia translation projects in other African languages?
Data Collection Approach
- Track number of contributions, article views, and editor retention rates.
- Conduct pre- and post-project surveys to assess awareness and engagement levels.
- Gather feedback from participants on challenges, improvements, and best practices.
- Evaluate impact through community discussions and partner reports.
This learning process will ensure the project remains impactful, sustainable, and aligned with Wikimedia’s broader mission of promoting knowledge equity.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 60 | Target: 60+ participants (both offline and online).
|
| Number of editors | 60 | 200 new or improved Wikipedia articles related to the African Union (AU) campaign theme of justice and reparations.
|
| Number of organizers | 2 | This project is organized by 2 people; me & chandapiwa Malema who are experienced Setswana Wikipedia Editors. |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 200 |
| Wikimedia Commons | |
| Wikidata | |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
200 new or improved Wikipedia articles related to the African Union (AU) campaign theme of justice and reparations.
- Considerable percentage of improvement on Wikipedia articles related to African Reparations.
- 1000+ translated words into Setswana across multiple articles.
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
No
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
To accurately track progress and impact, the following tools will be used for each target: 1. Participation & Engagement Metrics Tool: Event Metrics
- Track number of attendees in training workshops (both in-person & online).
- Measure retention rate (participants who continue engaging after the project).
Tool: Outreach Dashboard
- Monitor participant engagement before, during, and after activities.
- Track social media reach and interaction levels.
2. Content Contributions & Editing Tool: Wikimedia Hashtags
- Assign project-specific hashtags to identify translated & improved articles.
- Measure article creation, edits, and overall impact.
Tool: Wikidata Query Service & Article Stats
- Analyze Setswana-language article contributions in terms of quality & quantity.
- Evaluate improvement percentage on African reparations content.
Tool: Dashboard & Campaign Tracking
- Record content creation and translation metrics aligned with the Africa Wiki Challenge 2025 campaign.
- Measure words translated into Setswana and overall article expansion.
3. Training & Capacity Building Tool: Training Reports & Feedback Forms
- Gather insights on effectiveness of workshops and participant experience.
- Assess editor retention and learning outcomes.
Tool: Recognition & Incentives Tracking
- Track engagement levels before and after voucher awards for top contributors.
- Evaluate whether incentives increase long-term participation.
4. Partnerships & Community Engagement Tool: Community Discussion Pages & Surveys
- Gather qualitative feedback from partners, participants, and historians.
- Assess collaboration impact with Wikimedia affiliates & educational institutions.
5. Social Media Outreach Tool: Social Media Analytics (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Measure campaign reach, engagement, and participant interaction.
- Target 500+ social media connections aligned with Africa Wiki Challenge goals.
By using these tools, the project ensures data-driven evaluation and impact measurement while supporting Wikimedia’s broader movement goals.
Financial proposal
[edit]- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kdvXVxEM68DEo_iNGZ17MxYfJXhmv68nhnLRdXn322s/edit?usp=sharing
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
28000.2 BWP
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
2016.57 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback
[edit]Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).