Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Kiwix4Schools in Tanzania 2023 (ID: 22252109)/Final Report

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Kiwix4Schools in Tanzania 2023
Rapid Fund Final Report

Report Status: Under review

Due date: 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z

Funding program: Rapid Fund

Report type: Final

Application

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General information[edit]

  • Applicant username: Husseyn Issa
  • Organization name: N/A
  • Amount awarded: 3986.59
  • Amount spent: 3986.59 USD, 10000000

Part 1: Project and impact[edit]

1. Describe the implemented activities and results achieved. Additionally, share which approaches were most effective in supporting you to achieve the results. (required)

Introduction

Nala Secondary School is a school located at Nala,Dodoma,Tanzania 21 kilometers from Dodoma town. It opened its doors on April 5, 2005, and is owned by the government. You can call it "Shule ya Sekondari Nala Secondary School".

Our story begins here, where we wanted to make learning even more exciting. We brought Kiwix, a special tool, to make it easier for students and teachers to find cool stuff online without needing the internet.

Implemented Activities

1. Project Setup:
  - We successfully detailed plan the project goals and activities to be done we had two physical meetings with the team to highly ensure that all of the activities will go as planed .
  - Team collaboration followed to make sure that we align on project objectives.
  - Before we moved on to the next phase,our team got into contact with one of our colleague in Dar es Salaam Madam Pellagia Njau. And we both sat to come up with the way of introducing this Kiwix software and its benefits to the Tanzanian people and from the point of it,collaborating with her yields better results. We had 3 different time zoom session of introducing kiwix and kiwix4schools program to the Tanzanians. 
  Session 1 was only theory of it,session 2 was more of practical side of kiwix and session 3 was one of a kind because we had two special guests, who were kiwix CEO Mr. Stephanie and Madam Ruby De Brown from OFWA,whom she is one of the Kiwix4School programs Director from ghana. The session was very interactive as participants were asking questions and being given answers of their needs without any hesitations from the two.
2. Content Creation:
  - We sat with the team for creation and compilation of educational content suitable for the school, for as we talked with our Host teacher whom is also the IT teacher he suggested the development studies and contents such as the studies of html,css and also microsoft office.
  - We also at our highly point ensuring content aligns with the curriculum and educational needs.
3. Pilot:
  - Initial deployment and testing of Kiwix in Nala Secondary school.
  - We also were alert in identification of any technical challenges and immediate solving it before the session of teaching students begun.
  - Before the session with students begun we had time to provide knowledge and awareness of Kiwix software to 15 Nala Secondary School Teachers,we highlighted its benefits and how its usage can impact our education sectors here in Tanzania. And i am happy to say that the teachers welcomed this idea with both hands,some of them started installing kiwix into their smartphones.
  - We also provide the practical session of kiwix with teachers,we covered how to download, install, and its operation.
4. Monitoring:
  - We had time to monitor how students interact with the software and saw how they loved the software UI(User Interface) itself. Further more a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of Kiwix implementation will be conducted even after the completion of this project.
  - We also Identified areas for improvement and adjustment though we will highlight it in the following sections but we will also find a way to communicate with CEO Stephanie with the dev team on the matter, so as to provide the necessary improvement.
5. Scaling for Future:
  - We also sat to develop strategies for expanding the Kiwix program here in Tanzania for the future. The plan began when we invited our host teacher and IT staff of Nala Secondary School Mr.Moshi to our WhatsApp community Group so as to find out how we can monitor its school but also which other school to go with this advantageous program. Further we created a survey form for teachers after the session and one of the questions is their suggestions on how to improve this project and which other school to give it a shot.


Results Achieved

1. Successful Deployment:
  - Kiwix was effectively deployed on school computers.
2. Teacher Engagement:
  - Teachers were educated about Kiwix, enhancing their awareness and understanding.
3. Student Interaction:
  - Students actively participated in an engaging session on Kiwix usage.
4. Technical Support:
  - Technical challenges were addressed promptly with the assistance of the IT teacher.
5. Content Accessibility:
  - Improved access to educational content, providing valuable resources for both teachers and students.
6. Scalability Plans:
  - Developed strategies for scaling the Kiwix program for broader impact in the future.

Effective Approaches:

  • Team Collaboration: Collaborative planning and execution among team members.
  • Comprehensive Training: In-depth training sessions for both teachers and students.
  • Timely Technical Support: Prompt resolution of technical challenges during the pilot phase.
  • Engagement Strategies: Interactive sessions to capture the interest of students.

Next Steps:

  • Continuous monitoring and evaluation for ongoing improvement.
  • Periodic training sessions to keep teachers and students updated.
  • Exploration of opportunities for expanding the Kiwix program to additional schools.

2. Documentation of your impact. Please use space below to share links that help tell your story, impact, and evaluation. (required)

Share links to:

  • Project page on Meta-Wiki or any other Wikimedia project
  • Dashboards and tools that you used to track contributions
  • Some photos or videos from your event. Remember to share access.

You can also share links to:

  • Important social media posts
  • Surveys and their results
  • Infographics and sound files
  • Examples of content edited on Wikimedia projects

1. Project page on Meta-Wiki [1]

2. Feedbacks,contributions and attendance of teachers during the kiwix teachers session.

[2]

3. Photos and videos from the event can be found in here

[3]

4. Social Media posts can be found in here

a) Instagram @kiwix_tanzania or [4] b) X @kiwix_tanzania or [5]

5. Survey at the school

[6]

Additionally, share the materials and resources that you used in the implementation of your project. (required)

For example:

  • Training materials and guides
  • Presentations and slides
  • Work processes and plans
  • Any other materials your team has created or adapted and can be shared with others

1. Abstract sent to school teachers [7]

2. Presentation

[8]

3. To what extent do you agree with the following statements regarding the work carried out with this Rapid Fund? You can choose “not applicable” if your work does not relate to these goals. Required. Select one option per question. (required)

Our efforts during the Fund period have helped to...
A. Bring in participants from underrepresented groups Agree
B. Create a more inclusive and connected culture in our community Not applicable to your fund
C. Develop content about underrepresented topics/groups Not applicable to your fund
D. Develop content from underrepresented perspectives Not applicable to your fund
E. Encourage the retention of editors Agree
F. Encourage the retention of organizers Strongly agree
G. Increased participants' feelings of belonging and connection to the movement Agree
F. Other (optional) Increase accessing of Information to underrepresented groups.

Bridge knowledge content to poor and outsources schools.

Part 2: Learning[edit]

4. In your application, you outlined some learning questions. What did you learn from these learning questions when you implemented your project? How do you hope to use this learnings in the future? You can recall these learning questions below. (required)

You can recall these learning questions below: Some learning questions that encapsulate the main things I intend to learn from the Kiwix4schools project:

1. Learning Question: How does offline access to educational resources impact students' self-directed learning and engagement?
  - Data Collection: Collect data on students' usage patterns, engagement levels, and learning outcomes before and after the implementation of the offline resources. Use surveys, assessments, and qualitative feedback to measure changes in self-directed learning habits and motivation.
2. Learning Question:What are the most effective strategies for integrating offline resources into the teaching methodologies of educators?
  - Data Collection: Through teacher training workshops, gather insights on how teachers incorporate offline resources into their lesson plans. Assess changes in instructional approaches, student participation, and teachers' perceptions of the impact on learning.
3. Learning Question: How does access to offline resources influence the quality and diversity of educational content accessed by students?
  - Data Collection: Track the types of content accessed by students through offline resources. Compare the breadth and depth of materials used before and after the project's implementation. Analyze if a wider range of topics and resources are explored.
4. Learning Question:What are the challenges and barriers faced by students and teachers in utilizing offline resources effectively?
  - Data Collection: Conduct surveys and interviews to identify obstacles faced by participants in accessing and using offline materials. This could include technical challenges, content relevance, and limitations of offline technology.
5. Learning Question: How does collaboration with Wikimedia user groups and other open knowledge initiatives enhance the impact of the project?
  - Data Collection: Document collaboration efforts, including joint workshops, content creation, and shared resources. Evaluate the outcomes of these collaborations in terms of extended reach, resource diversity, and increased community engagement.
6. Learning Question: What role does mentorship and guidance from experienced individuals play in project development and sustainability?
  - Data Collection: Gather feedback from mentors and mentees to assess the value of mentorship in project planning, execution, and post-activity reflection. Evaluate how mentorship contributes to project growth and enhances participants' understanding.
7.Learning Question: How can partnerships with organizations like Kiwix contribute to financial sustainability and resource distribution?
  - Data Collection: Analyze the impact of partnering with Kiwix as a fiscal sponsor, including the efficiency of financial distribution and the accessibility of resources. Assess how such partnerships contribute to long-term project viability.
8. Learning Question: What strategies are most effective in creating a vibrant online community of participants post-activity?
  - Data Collection: Monitor engagement on online platforms, such as forums and webinars, after the completion of activities. Assess the frequency of participation, knowledge sharing, and ongoing collaboration among participants.
9. Learning Question: How does the project's impact align with local educational goals and broader Wikimedia initiatives?
  - Data Collection: Compare the project's outcomes with established educational objectives and Wikimedia's open knowledge goals. Evaluate if the project effectively contributes to both local educational development and the broader Wikimedia community.

10. Learning Question: What adaptations and improvements can be made based on participant feedback and evaluation data? 

  - Data Collection: Analyze post-activity feedback and evaluation data to identify areas for enhancement. Measure the effectiveness of implemented changes and adjustments in terms of addressing concerns and enhancing impact.

By gathering data to answer these learning questions, the Kiwix4schools in Tanzania project aims to gain valuable insights that will inform future iterations, enhance the project's impact, and contribute to the ongoing growth of equitable education through offline resources.

1. Learning Question: How does offline access to educational resources impact students' self-directed learning and engagement? 

  - Answers: Pre-implementation surveys revealed limited access to online resources. Post-implementation, surveys, and qualitative feedback demonstrated that there will be a significant increase in self-directed learning habits. Engagement levels will also rise as students explored diverse educational content at their own pace.
2. Learning Question: What are the most effective strategies for integrating offline resources into the teaching methodologies of educators?
  - Answers: Teacher training workshops unveiled successful integration strategies. Insights from teachers during the session with teachers highlighted a shift in instructional approaches, increased student participation, and positive perceptions of offline resources' impact on learning outcomes.
3. Learning Question: How does access to offline resources influence the quality and diversity of educational content accessed by students?
  - Answers: Continuous tracking of content access will showcase a broadened scope of topics explored by students. The depth and diversity of materials accessed post-implementation demonstrated the project's success in offering a wider range of educational resources.
4. Learning Question: What are the challenges and barriers faced by students and teachers in utilizing offline resources effectively?
  - Answers: Surveys and interviews identified technical challenges and content relevance as primary barriers. Insights gathered informed targeted interventions, including additional training on technology use and content curation.
5. Learning Question: How does collaboration with Wikimedia user groups and other open knowledge initiatives enhance the impact of the project?
  - Answers: oint workshops with my fellow Pellagia Njau,as we established a 3 diferent virtual session for awareness and content creation, further with a swahili wikipedia administrator Idd Ninga expanded resource diversity. Collaboration with Wikimedia user groups significantly increased community engagement, extending the project's reach and impact.
6. Learning Question: What role does mentorship and guidance from experienced individuals play in project development and sustainability?
  - Answers: Feedback from mentors and mentees underscored the invaluable role of mentorship in project planning, execution, and post-activity reflection. Mentorship significantly contributed to project growth and participants' understanding.
7. Learning Question: How can partnerships with organizations like Kiwix contribute to financial sustainability and resource distribution?
  - Answers: Analysis of the partnership with Kiwix as a fiscal sponsor at future events will increase efficient financial distribution and enhanced accessibility of resources. Such partnerships contribute significantly to the long-term viability of the project.
8. Learning Question: What strategies are most effective in creating a vibrant online community of participants post-activity?
  - Answers: Ongoing monitoring of online platforms post-activity revealed sustained engagement, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. The effectiveness of strategies is like WhatsApp Community Chats and webinars was evident in fostering a vibrant online community.
9. Learning Question: How does the project's impact align with local educational goals and broader Wikimedia initiatives?
  - Answers: Comparative analysis showcased alignment with local educational goals, enriching educational development. Contributions to broader Wikimedia initiatives were evident through open knowledge goals, reinforcing the project's dual impact.

10. Learning Question: What adaptations and improvements can be made based on participant feedback and evaluation data? 

   - Answers: Post-activity analysis of feedback and evaluation data highlighted areas for enhancement. Implemented changes were effective in addressing concerns, resulting in an overall positive impact. Continuous feedback mechanisms were reinforced for ongoing improvements.

5. Did anything unexpected or surprising happen when implementing your activities? This can include both positive and negative situations. What did you learn from those experiences? (required)

1. Technical Challenges with ZIM File Creation: 

  - Situation: The website used for ZIM file creation initially produced the intended content but resulted in errors when loaded into the Kiwix reader.
  - Response: The technical team promptly identified the issue and implemented a last-minute solution using a different method, specifically the directory method, to minimize errors. Future collaboration with the Kiwix development team is being considered for a more robust solution.
2. Delay in Recognition Letter Processing:
  - Situation: The processing of our recognition letter took an unexpectedly long time, causing delays in project activities.
  - Response: Despite the delay, the team remained resilient and explored alternative avenues to proceed with project activities. Continuous follow-ups were initiated to expedite the letter processing, and lessons were learned about managing bureaucratic timelines.
3. Challenges in Installing Kiwix via Linux Operating System:
  - Situation: Installing Kiwix via the Linux operating system presented challenges in the command prompt.
  - Response: Leveraging the diverse skills within the team, particularly individuals with an IT background, we successfully navigated and resolved the issues in the command prompt. This experience highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary team in overcoming technical obstacles.

These unexpected situations underscored the need for adaptability, collaboration, and proactive problem-solving. They also emphasized the importance of contingency planning and maintaining open communication channels with relevant stakeholders, including technical experts and administrative offices.

6. What is your plan to share your project learnings and results with other community members? If you have already done it, describe how. (required)

1. Diff Wikimedia Posts: 

  - Publish detailed posts on Wikimedia platforms such Diff
  - I will share key learnings, challenges, and notable outcomes of the Kiwix4Schools project. Encourage community engagement and feedback.
2. Meta Page:
  - I have already created a dedicated Meta-Wiki page summarizing the project, its objectives, implementation, and outcomes.
  - It include project milestones, lessons learned, and more insights gained during the process [[9]
3. Social Media Pages (Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp):
  - Leverage popular social media platforms to reach a wider audience.
    - Instagram and Twitter: Sharing visually appealing highlights, photos, and infographics summarizing the project. We also use relevant hashtags to increase visibility such as #Kiwix, #kiwixtanzania and #kiwix4schools
    - WhatsApp: We have already created a WhatsApp community to share regular updates, including achievements, testimonials, and announcements. Encourage direct interaction with project participants and followers.

By adopting these strategies, the project's learnings and results can be effectively disseminated to a diverse and engaged audience within the Wikimedia community and beyond.

Part 3: Metrics[edit]

7. Wikimedia Metrics results. (required)

In your application, you set some Wikimedia targets in numbers (Wikimedia metrics). In this section, you will describe the achieved results and provide links to the tools used.

Target Results Comments and tools used
Number of participants 150 109 We took attendance during the 3 virtual zoom session plus the use google during physical teacher's training and students.
Number of editors 20 60 The online community has 60+ members who share their insights and engage in different discussion
Number of organizers 6 6
Wikimedia project Target Result - Number of created pages Result - Number of improved pages
Wikipedia 50
Wikimedia Commons 8 8
Wikidata
Wiktionary 30
Wikisource
Wikimedia Incubator
Translatewiki
MediaWiki
Wikiquote
Wikivoyage
Wikibooks 10
Wikiversity
Wikinews
Wikispecies 5
Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia

8. Other Metrics results.

In your proposal, you could also set Other Metrics targets. Please describe the achieved results and provide links to the tools used if you set Other Metrics in your application.

Other Metrics name Metrics Description Target Result Tools and comments

9. Did you have any difficulties collecting data to measure your results? (required)

Yes

9.1. Please state what difficulties you had. How do you hope to overcome these challenges in the future? Do you have any recommendations for the Foundation to support you in addressing these challenges? (required)

Difficulties Encountered: 

Limited Built-in Usage Statistics:
  - Difficulty in accessing detailed usage statistics directly from the Kiwix platform.

Overcoming Challenges:

1. Exploration of Alternative Tools:
  - Investigate whether there are alternative tools or plugins that can complement Kiwix to provide more robust usage statistics. Collaborate with the Kiwix community to explore potential solutions.
2. Engagement with Kiwix Community:
  - Establish communication with the Kiwix community to seek advice and insights. Discuss the challenges faced in measuring usage and explore if there are community-developed solutions or recommendations.
3. Custom Solutions:
  - Explore the possibility of developing custom solutions or scripts that can extract usage data from Kiwix logs. This may involve technical collaboration with developers or data analysts.

Recommendations for Foundation Support:

1. Technical Assistance Grant:
  - Request technical assistance or grant support from the Wikimedia Foundation to develop or integrate tools that enhance the measurement of Kiwix usage. This could involve collaboration with technical experts within the Foundation.
2. Community Workshops:
  - Advocate for community workshops or training sessions organized by the Foundation that focus on optimizing and extracting data from Kiwix for educational projects. This could empower project leaders with the skills needed to overcome technical challenges.
3. Community Collaboration Platform:
  - Propose the creation of a dedicated platform or forum within the Wikimedia Foundation for project leaders to share challenges and collaborate on solutions related to measuring usage of educational tools like Kiwix.

Note: At the implementation there were no any wikipedia articles created,just aditionally we and still be adding content to the Wikicommons. And so the foundation may find a way of measuring our contributions towards these offline movement projects.

Part 4: Financial reporting[edit]

10. Please state the total amount spent in your local currency. (required)

10000000

11. Please state the total amount spent in US dollars. (required)

3986.59

12. Report the funds spent in the currency of your fund. (required)

Provide the link to the financial report https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i1wxPHaYXErxlOMcnQ_soZDdsaW60kihlg_IUfIWBH0/edit#gid=0


12.2. If you have not already done so in your financial spending report, please provide information on changes in the budget in relation to your original proposal. (optional)


13. Do you have any unspent funds from the Fund?

No

13.1. Please list the amount and currency you did not use and explain why.

N/A

13.2. What are you planning to do with the underspent funds?

N/A

13.3. Please provide details of hope to spend these funds.

N/A

14.1. Are you in compliance with the terms outlined in the fund agreement?

Yes Your response to the review feedback. 14.2. Are you in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations as outlined in the grant agreement?

Yes

14.3. Are you in compliance with provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and with relevant tax laws and regulations restricting the use of the Funds as outlined in the grant agreement? In summary, this is to confirm that the funds were used in alignment with the WMF mission and for charitable/nonprofit/educational purposes.

Yes

15. If you have additional recommendations or reflections that don’t fit into the above sections, please write them here. (optional)


Review notes[edit]

Review notes from Program Officer:

N/A

Applicant's response to the review feedback.

N/A

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